In numerous threads on this site various individuals, myself included, have mentioned PCGS as one of the top three coin grading companies. It has been recommended that if you are purchasing a coin, especially on eBay, that you stick with PCGS, NGC, ICG, or ANACS - avoiding coins from a variety of fly-by-night operations that are known for consistently overgrading. Unfortunately, there are a number of companies which have chosen company names whose acronyms where, in all likelihood, designed to capatilize on the good name of PCGS. Intended or not, these names can confuse and fool new collectors into thinking they are purchasing a slabbed coin from PCGS. ACGS, CCGS, DCGS, NSGCS, PCGA, PGS, and TCGS are just a few of the acronyms that you may see on eBay these days - and I am sure there are others I am leaving out. And, more crop up everyday. Many of the coins slabbed by these companies show up in auctions from Power Sellers with very high positive feedback scores. So let this post serve as a reminder not to blindly trust a seller's feedback, not blindly assume that ANY slabbed coin is accurately graded, and to be VERY careful when reading descriptions regarding slabbed coins - or any coins offered on eBay for that matter!
