In the coin world NGC and PCGS have distanced themselves from the pack as far as reputaion and accuracy of grade. Others, like SEGS and SGS have proven to be pretty much a joke. What companies in the paper money world are the most reputable and which should I avoid?
If all you're interested in is the slabs, sure. But if you're actually looking at the coins (hey, there's a novel idea!), PCGS, at least, definitely seems to err on the side of overgrading. And that's no good for the collector--or for the industry, for that matter--in the long run. But then, who's going to complain that their submitted coin was overgraded? And so count on the overgrading insanity to continue. And why the heck not? Never forget, all you need to start an asylum is an empty room and the right kind of people. I'd avoid all of them, if indeed there are any. I'm sure there are books that will teach you how to grade notes. Pick up some and learn how to grade your notes yourself. IMHO, you'll be better off than submitting them to some third-party service that's more likely than not to give them a "gift grade" just to secure your future business. But then again, I'm just a collector, not an investor, so what do I know...
well the companys i have seen are PCGS (yes they now do currency as well), RCGS, CGA, PMG .. i am sure there are others as well, but i dont have anythign graded by them. I do not know which TPG stands above the rest when it comes to grading currency, but the gradded notes i have are on the mark (RCGS, CGA, and PMG) One note, RCGS and CGA certify notes and encapsulate them in a flexible plastic holder. PMG seals notes in an acrylic type holder. Im not sure which PCGS uses for currency. The best thing i can suggest, is to follow the same advice the coin experts on this forum say time and time again.... Look, Listen, Learn. Look at as many examples as you can from each of the companys, listen to what others are saying about their experience and to learn from each. good luck.
