Back when I was working on my Buffalo Nickel collection I commented a few times on CT I thought NGC Buffalo's in the XF and AU grades were very often over graded. I thought the ANACS XF and AU were better numerous times than the NGC. Although the PCGS were usually the best over both, frequently the ANACS were better than the PCGS. It was always the older ANACS slabs, and I thought I made from very good purchases buying those graded by ANACS. For the last couple of months I have been looking at 3 Cent Nickels and 2 Cent Pieces. It appears to me this time that most of the ANACS graded never go higher than than AU in grade. NGC are predominately in the high AU to MS 63 and the PCGS are predominaltely only the higher graded MS ones (63 and above). Again if two coins are of the same grade between NGC and PCGS the PCGS will be the better of the two almost every time. Also the PCGS will cost more than the NGC. I looked at a tremendous amount of coins, I may not be right on this, and it is certainly okay to tell me I'm wrong. I'm just curious what others think that collect these type of coins.
What you will find is that the various TPG's are tougher on one series than the others are. None of them are tougher on all of them. But in order to determine this you really have to study each individual series and the way that each individual TPG grades them. This involves a tremendous amount of time, effort and coins. You can't look at a 100 coins all in the same grade by each of the TPG's and determine it. You have to look at thousands of coins all in the same grade by each of the TPG's. So usually the only people that know this information are those who specialize in a particular series and have amassed huge collections over many years. Finding those people takes some doing, but they are out there. The majority of those who make such claims as this TPG is tougher than that one on this coin are typically talking because they like the sound of their own voice and inflating their egos. It takes a while to determine who to listen to, and who to ignore. The one exception to this rule would be regarding special designations. On that count, NGC is tougher than all the rest. And this is not just an opinion, it is easily seen by anyone who reads the criteria for the designations.
Well I certainly won't argue with what Doug posted. But I typically think the high grade coins end up in PCGS slabs because of the extra premium they bring. I also look at almost every graded large cent that ebay, heritage, teletrade and some dealers post. In my own humble opinion PCGS coins typically (not always) are a little nicer for the grade, but that does not mean ANACs or NGC are bad. I also believe the new ANAC's slabs are a little worrisome to me - it would not stop me from buying the right coin. Back to buy the coin and not the slab.
Agreed!!, I think you will find the nicer stuff in PCGS slabs, Just because Of the extra premium they bring when you go to sell them, Same coin Diferent TPG same grade you will always get more in a PCGS Slab atleast %10-%15 or in some cases a bit more!!
