This is my first post and I thought I would start off with a question for opinions.Could we get opinions on ICG on there grading and what have you.
I like the guys that started ICG, but their slabbed coins only bring about 40% of equivalant graded PCGS retail. As far as I know, they are the only folks slabbing modern coin reproductions, too. I don't have any info on the cross-over grading from ICG to PCGS or the other way around, but I'll bet somebody here does. The rule applies to all slabbed coins, buy the coin and not the slab. You can get a real gem in an ICG holder, the same as any other slabbing company.
They are considered one of the "big four" third party graders - generally as either number 3 or number 4 depending on whom you ask.
I like ICG. I am a big fan of their slab with the Intercept Shield that offers, in my opinion, the best protection for preserving and protection of the coin. When I want to keep my old BU Red Lincolns...RED , I keep them in a dry, room temperature area in an Intercept Shield holder. I know their coins are not getting the prices of PCGS. Heck, NGC (for the most part) is not getting prices realized compared to PCGS! Look at Heritage's completed auctions and PCGS always seems to get the highest prices, followed by NGC, then by Anacs and then ICG. I have bought and sold coins graded by ICG and their circulated coins are pretty much conservatively graded. Coins graded MS67 and higher seem to be more liberally graded. go figure? Everybody beefs about their MS70 grades on moderns as this is the biggest complaint I hear about ICG. Between PR70DCAM for modern coins or MS70 for SAE's...many collectors simply do not believe that a coin could be "perfect". But that is another discussion in itself. I watch the grey sheets and ICG always is up with PCGS and NGC. Look yourself: http://www.greysheet.com/ One thing is for sure...I have managed to pick up some nice ICG coins for pennies on the dollar compared to what I would have had to pay for a PCGS coin. With that said, everything I see and read about the company has been positive and I am sure their slabs will increase in value as more and more collectors/dealers really look at their product and grading services.
