What Do You think of PCI?

Exactly. In "theory" there should no premium for the sticker -- just for the coin being nicer than average. On the coins they make markets in (i.e. Morgan dollars, Saints, etc) they pay a big premium for those coins that make the sticker.

 

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Yes. I'd pay a little more for a higher quality coin. The sticker is irrelevant. As a matter of fact, so is the slab. I don't buy coins sight unseen. I actually buy virtually all of my coins in person. So it is all about the coin. Not the slab or the sticker.
So no, it doesn't matter if the sticker is there.

 

I wouldn't pay more because of the sticker, but I might be more willing to pay full price for a premium quality coin with multiple professional opinions about the grade.

 

Re: DGS Coins

So how much does it cost to get a coin certified by DGS and what is the turnaround time like? Are the slabs secure? Are they stackable?

I heard they are also using the holders they got from the PCI acquisition. Any plans for a tri-view type holder like NGC has now?

 

They should take PCI and burn them at the ....

Oh, I forgot, sorry.

Never mind.

I'll be gooder.

 

David , are you by any chance also seeking acceptance by Teletrade and Heritage Auctions ? If you can get one or both that would be a huge win for future business. Thanks and good luck.

 

PCI - Over graded, multiple problems! Some poster had a rare experience by crossing to a real grading service, but they are definately the exception and not the norm.

DGS - Very good. A friend on another forum submitted some Lincolns to DGS, they are all accurately graded IMO. Personally, I would trust a DGS slab.

 

From what I have seen, DGS has been doing a pretty good job with grading so far. However, they are pretty new so I'm still skeptical. There was a time when PCI was fairly respectable. I have no idea how DGS is with authenticity, but they haven't been a mile off with their grading. I don't trust the grades on any slabs...PCGS or NGC included. I look at the coin and grade it myself. PCGS and NGC are usually pretty close, but even they are off sometimes.

 

Thanks for the positive feedback. We are very concerned with making sure our grading is very accurate because we make a two-way market in the coins we certify. You can always sell us DGS-graded coins (at David Lawrence) because we know the coins will be graded accurately.

Also, we are always working to get the other auction houses on board. Both Heritage and TT, as well as eBay. They are all waiting to be sure we are in business for the long haul (we are!) and that our standards are solid.

If you buy/grade with DGS now, you will be very pleased in the long run...

 

I have seen about 30-40 DGS certified coins in the past few months & I have to say that every one I came across was solid in my opinion.

I have purchased a few site unseen from a couple of clients & have no probelm paying the same bid price as a PCGS coin.

 

I think DGS needs to move away from the PCI holder and develop something new. Do you really want people who don't know about DGS thinking it is PCI because the recognize the shape of the holder.

A note of kudos though, the online certification database with photos is an outstanding idea to combat counterfeit slabs. You guys led the pack in that regard. Good Job!

 

I appreciate the suggestion (of changing the holder) but I acquired PCI solely for the holder design as I think it is one of the best in the industry -- certainly on par with the PCGS and NGC designs. Designing a new holder would cost a considerable amount and I'm not sure I could improve.

That said...I think the concept of "PCI" will quickly disappear over time as people become accustomed to DGS, and our grading standard.

Thanks.

 

Our certification rates are really reasonable and we've just instituted a new fee structure based on the coin's value. Each coin on the submission is charged based on it's value as prices start as low as $10 for inexpensive coins. Most coins will be graded for $13 or less... Please visit the web site for these new details. www.dominiongrading.com.

 

You guys are definately on the right track with Lincoln cents, that's the only experience I have with DGS......GREAT JOB! Like you said, it's going to take time as respect has to be earned, in time it will come based on what I've seen.

 

I took a look at the website and I think you have a very good idea going with the visual population report. Nice and innovative.

Long term, I'm concerned about anti-counterfeit measures built into the holder. I did not notice any hologram sticker like PCGS or NGC has. If you do implement one, I would prefer it to be under the case instead of on the outside like PCGS and NGC put theirs. Reason for this is that some dealers like to put stickers on the slabs which I find irritating and sometimes difficult to remove without damaging the hologram sticker.

Other anti-counterfeit measures could be implemented. Look to world currency for inspiration. I know the visual population report will help a lot in this regard. There's a lot of good things you could do long-term.

 

I hope you weren't offended by my comments earlier. From what I have seen you have done a fine job thus far with grading and I sincerely hope you continue that trend. My concerns are mostly derived from the fact that you are a rather new company...as time goes along and you keep your standards high views like mine will surely disappear. This hobby needs more high quality TPGs in my eyes to both help drown out the bad one's as well as compete with the big companies. I do agree with some of the others that the slab itself could use an overhaul. Maybe not necessarily the shape, but maybe the insert. IMHO it's a little too plain. But, your company seems to be doing a good job grading in the short time you have been in business. If you continue to do a good job then I'm sure you will be very successful in the long run and become widely accepted. I would very much like to see that happen.

 

Thanks -- all good suggestions. Right now we're more focused on grading quality than updating the slab. It's just not cost-effective at the moment. But I do agree it can be improved.Keep supporting us...and tell your friends in the meantime. Thanks! -John

 

David:

what is your position on coins residing in PCI holders that may be overgraded? Will they remain as they are? Will they be eligible for a re-submission?

 

I view PCI coins like raw coins. Quite frankly, I view all coins -- slabbed or unslabbed -- as raw coins.

That said, my impression of PCI grading is that it has had its ups and downs. Some of the older grades were quite good and you can find value in their slabs from time to time (but decreasing over time because this is well known in numismatic circles). Their new grades border on delusional.

 

p.s. My impression of DGS is quite good. The examples I've seen have been accurately graded, imo. Time will tell as to how they are accepted in the marketplace. Their biggest challenge will be the perceived conflict-of-interest, as I see it.