i am not all that familiar with any of them. I see alot of PMG, but i personaly like the hard plastic holders better. I thinjk PCGS uses those, where PMG uses the soft plastic.
CGC was the only one to use hard plastic holders. I believe they have flexible ones also now. The hard ones were a pain to carry around and took up too much room. For coin items the hard ones make sense, but the currency market just did not accept them. The only ones I would suggest using are: PMG,PCGS,CGA,RCGS,CGC Right now they are all fighting on who is the best. PMG and PCGS are the new kids on the block for currency grading. Since they started 2 years ago, they are trying to establish some type of standard, but they conflict. Their guarantees are not real decisive, since they have to disagree with what they previously graded....its a bunch of marketing smoke they are blowing in my opinion. Errors do happen with graded notes, and you will see the competition making a mountain out of a mole hill on those mistakes of the their competitors. The ANA offers courses in currency grading, I also suggest reading up on grading techinques. I do not really care for the TPG notes. (Third Party Graders). I have been conservatively grading for years and use published standards to go by. Jeff
In my personal opinion, I think it's easier to grade a note than it is a coin. I'm by no means an expert, but with coins, it can be so difficult to see very minute signs of wear on the surface, scratches can affect the grade, etc... With a paper note, it's very easy to see folds, creases (however slight they might be), dirt, how well centered the note is, etc... I just don't see the need for a TPG with paper with the possible exception of sight unseen transactions, but I've never felt comfortable with those.
I have yet to slab a note. Of course I've slabbed very few coins as well but I do think currency is easier. There is always differing opinions though. I light corner fold for example is not like wear on the note. The note is still CU actually but mishandled at some point. Paper is much more fragile - as long as it's mentioned I'm okay with it. Then you get into paper wave which happened fairly often in some of the older Silver Certificates. You also get into the 1935A series of $1 Silver Certificates that look dirty very often but it's just the printing. Centering and embossing are easier to spot. I rarely grade a note Gem but I see enough slabbed as Gem. Maybe I should start slabbing some day.
thanks for your replies. I was just wondering since I know some notes bring in more $ when they're graded.
yeah, Just like coins Magman. RickieB seems to go heavy with PCGS. I've seen slabbed notes at shows and can't say I've really been disappointed by them. I do feel that there are a few too many Gems out there. For me to be a Gem I like my margins within 1mm of dead on or better. That ain't much room.
i wonder why the currency hobby doesnt like hard plastic slabs?!? i know they are thicker, but doesnt that allow greater protection? If i drop something on a hard plastic slab, or poke it with a pen, it might scratch the outside, but nothign else. poke a soft plastic slab with a pen ... it wont be pretty. I woudl never send a note to be graded unless it was in a hard plastic. But i use Capital Plastics for my more pricey notes, and those are 2 1/4 inch pieces of plastic. I also agree that grading notes is easier, and for all the same reasons gatzdon and clembo already pointed out :thumb:
Daggarjon, I would suggest not using a Capital plastic holder on a good note that has embossing. By putting it into one of their holders you are pressing it out. Good embossing is a sign of originality and maintains a higher price. The hard plastic holders from CGC did not press on the note and all embossing that was present was maintained. Those holders are completely different from the ones from Capital. Also with the Capital holders, should your note be in humid conditions or get wet. the results on removing it might be a bit questionable Jeff
i only use Capital plastics because of their sturdiness. Are CGC holders available for retail purchase? I am certainly open for using a better holder!!!
