Been reading alot on the PCGS forums and NGC forums, but what I keep hearing is how many coins are getting the green bean. It seems like when you submit 12, 8 get the bean. I've heard I can sell my classic head CAC quarter eagle for a premium because of the green bean CAC sticker, but at this rate the market seems like it's going to be flooded with green bean CAC coins and they will soon have no premium at all. What do you think?
I just think having the CAC sticking is just another way of making money. If PCGS says the coins is an MS-66 why pay to confirm that? I just feel that paying for a sticker is just plain stupid. All they are doing is confirming the grade and nothing more. If it gets a lesser sticker do you assume that a PCGS 66 is a 64 I just don't see the added value. Ice
It helps to avoid low for the grade coins and gold beans are high for the grade or possible upgradeable. It is like an A,B,C grade.
The CAC sticker means the coin is either an "A" or a "B" in CAC's opinion. CAC does not sticker "C" coins.
I think that if one finds value in a 3rd party opinion, a second 3rd party opinion can be that much more valuable. Conversely, if one finds no value in a 3rd party opinion, a second 3rd party opinion is of no incremental value. What I find hard to understand are those that find value in 3rd party opinions, but somehow find a second 3rd party opinion of negligible or negative value.
Those with the CAC sticker are either solid for the grade or PQ (in CAC's opinion) and will garner a premium from some buyers. All coins graded a particular grade are not the same. There are grades within a grade. For instance, two coins of the same denomination, date and mintmark may both be graded MS-64 but one may be obviously nicer than the other one. The CAC stickers are a step in the direction of incremental grading - grading between grades (e.g., 64.2 or 64.7). Most people have enough trouble differentiating between MS-64 and MS-65 much less MS-64.2 and MS-64.7. This is where CAC steps in to offer their expert opinion (solid for the grade ("B") or PQ ("A")).
Certainly don't disagree. And I must admit, right here on this forum, before the first CAC sticker was ever applied to a single slab, I predicted the enterprise (CAC) would be a flop. Sure was wrong on that count. That being said, it is pretty much human nature for people to think that anything like this is just another attempt by some company to get more money out of them by offering a useless service. (Not saying I think it is useless at all, just that many others do.) It is also worth noting that the exact same thing happened when the TPG's first came on the scene. But let us not forget, a large percentage of those who think CAC to be useless, also think the TPG's are useless. Granted, a different group than your comment pertains to.
I like slabs from the major TPGs and insist on them for my better coins. Yep, I'm even willing to pay a little extra for that warm fuzzy feeling that I get from slabs. But a CAC sticker is overkill. I won't pay extra for that.
I have no problem with what CAC does. I have no problem if others want to pay more for the CAC approved coins. I just don't think I need my coins to have a CAC sticker for my approval.
........i've said it before. where does it end? you have many that disagree with tpg's opinion. you have those that disagree with CAC agreeing with tpg grades. there are many that buy a slab then re-submit because they disagree and in many cases hope the coin upgrades and get upset if it downgrades instead. i guess the main thing is that the party buying your slabbed coin agrees with the tpg's grade when your selling. or do we need a FINAL STICKER STICKER?
For me the CAC sticker has been really helpful when buying from images. It puts me at a better comfort level as far as not needing to return the coin once I actually get to see it in hand. Returning coin is a real pain for everyone. I have no problem paying for expert opinions. To me it's like paying for lawyers, cpas, plumbers and home inspectors. As good as I might think I am at grading coins and making decisions on other matters, I welcome the knowledge to help me make that final decision.
Two reasons: 1. I have a high degree of trust in the major TPGs, particularly NGC and PCGS. They generally get it right the first time. 2. I have enough personal grading skills so that I can weed out most of the slabbed coins that I consider questionable. That's enough. The third opinion (CAC) is not necessary. I recall a SL Dime that got by me. It was slabbed as an AU but was a bit too lacking in detail. Should have been an XF. It has since been replaced. But that's the only coin that comes to mind.
CAC has detected problems that I, NGC and PCGS have missed. I have heard the same thing from a number of extremely sharp/highly advanced collectors. And I imagine that we're not the only persons who can benefit and learn from CAC's expertise. I firmly believe that most people are not nearly as proficient at grading and detecting problems with coins as they think they are. And that CAC can and will open a lot of eyes, at least for those who truly want to see.
I have been fortunate to have picked up some " first's" , grade verified by CAC. Notably a few pieces from the Jack Lee Estate recently. . Perhaps I may be incorrect, but I think with the advent of CAC it will present an opportunity for those TPG's in the lower top ten to develop more of a competitive market share with the current top three. Watch, ICG and NCS, and SEGS.
