PCGS vs. NGC submissions?

Any other dealers with input on this topic? Thanks.

 

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I specialize mostly in Kennedy halves and Lincolns, although I have handled a lot of coins in most series in my life. I can tell you that both series sell for more in the same grade if they are in a PCGS slab. Especially Lincolns, where NGC seems too loose for the color (Brown, Red and Brown, Red) more so than the grade. Yes, I have certainly bought some nice NGC Lincolns, but the preference, mine and the market, is for the PCGS. Kennedys also bring considerably more in top grades if certified by PCGS. There are exceptions to every rule, though. For some series it seems like there is not so much of a difference, for example Morgan dollars where the grading is closer. And I have seen coins I thought were inaccurately graded in both, of course. But I bow to others on some other series.

 

A really nice coin in a NGC slab will sell for just as much as a really nice coin in PCGS slab. In my opinion some people over bid just to get the PCGS slab. The one thing people did not mention is the registry sets - to have a PCGS set it must be in a PCG slab. I personally think that depending on the type of coin one is better than the other. I have used both in getting coins graded - over all scheme of things I consider them equal, ANAC's third and then ICG. I don't know why but I like the PCGS slab better but some of my coins reside in several types of holders.

 

Good input Giorgio! Thank you. I still don't know why sellers would send coins to NGC if PCGS graded coins routinely sell for more money.

Not many dealers have responded to this post...so I'd really like to hear what they have to say. They are the ones sending coins in for grading and then trying to sell them. It's a missing part of the puzzle for me....

 

Pretty simple, if a dealer believes that NGC grades looser in a given series then a dealer may be motivated to submit to NGC to get a higher grade on the coin. For example, based on what I've seen (and remember I'm no expert) NGC gives out the AU58 grade on $5 Indian gold much more easily than PCGS. If that is true and a dealer had a 1909-O $5 that was AU that he or she wanted to sell, they may be better off submitting it to NGC since they may get more money for an NGC AU58 than they could a PCGS AU53 or PCGS AU55.

 

I don't know how that could be true since they don't use a common grading standard. Since they aren't even trying to be equal, chances are they have succeeded in not being equal. I think in the end, which is better will depend a lot on the series, the grade, eye appeal, and how the collector grades coins. In many cases, the folks paying more for PCGS probably aren't looking as closely at the coin as they are the grade and company name on the slab.

 

I agree Cloud. Why does PCGS seem to be so dominant as far as bringing higher prices? I frequently read that they're the way to go...but I don't understand how they got to that point. I know that people should buy the coin and not the slab, but PCGS slabs are really ugly to me compared to several others. I guess that I think that all slabs are way too large and don't offer enough color contrast to the coin itself. Who makes a nice black slab? I would want gold in only a good looking black slab. Anyone else with input would be appreciated. Thanks again.

 

I have some really nice-looking gold certified PR70DCAM in black slabs from TCCP. Or is it CCPS? Kidding! :whistle:

 

Not sure where it is stated that PCGS slabbed coins sell for more than NGC but from what I see at coin shows, I go to lots and lots of them, there really is very little differences in prices in those two. If you use the exact same coins in the exact same grades for comparison there will still be a difference pending where you see them for sale. For example I've noticed at many coin shows lately Lincoln Cents in slabs are becoming a really large commondity. The prices of them in almost any slab is at an all time rediculous price range. And too I've seen Lincoln Cents in the 2000 and up range already in slabs and people buying them as if they were Gold. With that in mind miscellaneous other coins in a PCGS slab is no big thing and either is the NGC one.
I do agree that many dealers like to brag that a coin is in a PCGS slab more so than an NGC one but so far I don't think that makes the prices go up, just more salesmanship.

 

I'll give ya $10 for the gold and $540 for the slab! LOL

 

I might be mistaken, but it seems like PCGS completed auctions on Heritage 'generally' sell for more than NGC...what says ye experts?

 

Not a ye expert, but did you look at the coins and compare quality of coin? I know on some of the common date easy to find stuff ngc and pcgs bring about the same price. I have also see the reverse where NGC brings more than PCGS, but have never really looked that hard. When I use heritage I not only look at the price, but I also look at the coin to judge what I think of it. I do that mainly because with large cents you might see hundreds of dollars of difference in the prices.

 

You can get ICG slabs with a black Intercept Shield insert.

 

I agree with you they probably shouldn't and it's unfortunate because the coins are just as nice in the other holders but the value is associated with the name on the label.

 

I'm hoping that some dealers will pipe in and let us know what they think.

 

After looking for one of these threads for a couple of weeks (not sure how I missed this one) I created one just a few minutes ago. Of course, I now find this one.

What I have noticed (I admit being a newbie) is that modern PF70 coins go for 2 to 3 times more in PCGS holders than NGC holders. For example a 2005 Clad PF70 dime went for $12.00 in NGC while the same coin went for $38.01 in PCGS. This is only one of many examples I have documented over the last few days. Since they are both considered the top tier companies shouldn't they sell for close to the same amount?

On older coins I don't notice nearly as much of a difference.

Basically I also want to know why anyone would send their Modern coins to NGC instead of PCGS since they could sell them for so much more. The only answer that makes since to me is that PCGS is looked upon as being more strict, yet people here, for the most part, don't agree with that.

 

PR69 or PF70

First off, I'm not one that cares about slabs. Problem is: buying from any site, Heritage, Ebay, etc. requires it, there are so few places to buy coins in mint boxes with COAs once the mint ends its sales. Now to the question. I want to purchase a modern gold proof. I'm looking at a NGC PF70 which is only $25 more than a PCGS PR69. Buying on-line, it is impossible to grade coin myself. I also know that PCGS grades a much lower percentage of PR70 than NGC does. I would take this to mean that there are coins in PCGS slabs that if regraded by NGC might meet NGCs PF70s requirement. On top of that, I know that PCGS has been able to convince buyers that their coins are worth more and will hold there value better. What do I do, save $25 and buy a darned good PR69 or believe the slab value given by NGC and go for the 70. My feelings are to save the few dollars and buy the lower graded PCGS coin.

 

I like the PCGS in the old green holders. I believe grading standards were tougher then and most of the old holders have undergraded coins by modern standards.

 

not green holder, low population

Buy the coin, not the slab. It's quite difficult when dealing on Ebay. The PCGS coin has a population of 10. One coin is PR70, the other 9 are PR69. So, this is a new coin, not one held in a green slab but light blue. I keep putting off this buy worried that I'll end up with a lower value PR69 and let a NGC PF70 slip through my fingers. Problem being, I really believe that due to low population, this coin might (probably would) grade to a PF70. I also know that a PCGS coin on Heritage almost always fetches more money than a NGC. So, I'll either buy the PCGS or pass up the purchase. Passing up the buy is probably the most intelligent with the price of gold. Everything is really getting out of hand. We have non collectors buying these things at a very high price due to gold content. The gold content comes no where near the value being paid for these coins.