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<p>[QUOTE="Reid Goldsborough, post: 594, member: 34"]Additions and corrections are welcomed. This document is copyrighted -- please don't republish elsewhere.</p><p><br /></p><p>Slabs can provide a measure of security when buying expensive coins, but some grading companies grade considerably more liberally than others, which can cause unsuspecting buyers to pay considerably more for a coin than they would otherwise.</p><p><br /></p><p>Each of the services below has its strengths and weaknesses, and each can be worth patronizing, depending on the specific coin. Updates, corrections, and additions are welcomed with any of this information.</p><p><br /></p><p>First-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance Today</p><p><br /></p><p>PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)</p><p>800-447-8848</p><p><br /></p><p> * PCGS-graded coins have highest retail value of any grading company, according to the Coin Dealer Newsletter.</p><p> * Along with NGC, ranked "superior" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins.</p><p> * Rated the least consistent service of eight major services (others were NGC, ANACS, ICG, SEGS, PCI, ACG, and NTC) in a 2003 study by Coin World. PCGS's lack of consistency may be deliberate or not, but it has the effect of encouraging repeat submissions of the same coin, which generate more revenue for it.</p><p> * Coins in older slabs generally graded more conservatively and worth more. Newest PCGS slabs have blue label; green label older; dot-matrix printed label older still. Detailed breakdown with approximate dates: </p><p><br /></p><p> 3/02-date: Light blue label, with barcode, with coin and series numbers</p><p> 1/99-2/02: Light blue label, no barcode, with coin and series number</p><p> 11/98-12/98: Light blue label, no barcode, no coin and series numbers</p><p> Mid 1995-11/98: Green label, serial number starts at right of left edge of barcode</p><p> 1/90-mid 1995: Green (yellow through blue), label serial number starts at left of left edge of barcode</p><p> 11/89-12/89: Slab within frame, doily label</p><p> 9/89-11/89: Slab within frame, off-white label</p><p> 1986-9/89: Small slabs </p><p><br /></p><p> * Net grades (lowers a coin's grade for minor problems) but does not note it on the holder.</p><p> * Bodybags (doesn't grade) problem coins (major problems) -- no refund of fee.</p><p> * With regular service, coins are initially graded by two graders independent of one another. If there's disagreement, a third grader grades the coin. If the third grader agrees with one of the other two graders, the coin receives that grade. If not, sometimes the grading is averaged, sometimes the graders reevaluate the coin. After these initial evaluations, the grading of the coin-in-slab is verified. Between 2% and 4% of coins are regraded at this point. A final verification ensures that slab insert information is correct.</p><p> * Charges $30 for pre-1970 coins for 30-day turnaround, plus shipping and insurance.</p><p> * Registered eBay users can submit to PCGS (click on Submission Center).</p><p> * Guarantee: PCGS, unlike NGC, ANACS, ICG, and SEGS, is not specific about its guarantee at its Web site. On the phone, a customer service rep said if you buy a PCGS-graded coin and feel PCGS overgraded it, you can submit it to PCGS for re-examination. Unlike with NGC and ICG, however, you're charged the regular grading fee for this re-examination. If PCGS determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will work with you, either paying you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by PCGS or buying the coin outright from you. </p><p><br /></p><p>NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America)</p><p>800-642-2646</p><p><br /></p><p> * Along with PCGS, ranked "superior" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins.</p><p> * Can be more difficult to get less-than-perfect circulated coins in an NGC slab than a PCGS slab, depending on the series.</p><p> * Newest slabs have fine perforation at bottom of label and small rounded square hologram on back; older slabs have full-width hologram.</p><p> * Net grades but does not note it on the holder.</p><p> * Bodybags problem coins -- no refund of fee.</p><p> * Offers coin cleaning service through NCS (Numismatic Conservation Service). NCS will also authenticate and slab coins without grading them.</p><p> * Charges $28 for coins over $300 with 12-day turnaround; $15 for coins under $300 for 21-day turnaround with 5 coin minimum, plus shipping and insurance.</p><p> * Registered eBay users can submit to NGC and get a 10% rebate credited to their eBay account.</p><p> * Any ANA member can submit directly to NGC through this Web page.</p><p> * Guarantee: If you buy an NGC-graded coin and feel NGC overgraded it, you can submit it to NGC for re-examination for free. If NGC determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will, at NGC's option, either replace the coin for one at the originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by NGC, with the fair market value determined by NGC using "reliable current market information," which it says do not include Internet auctions/sales. </p><p><br /></p><p>Second-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance Today</p><p><br /></p><p>ANACS (Amos Certification Service)</p><p>800-888-1861</p><p><br /></p><p> * Ranked "average" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and "superior" in ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins.</p><p> * Regarded as more liberal with grading in general than PCGS or NGC.</p><p> * Good choice for problem coins. Notes problem on slab label and gives both technical and net grade. Sometimes, however, problems noted on the slab can be more visible than the problems on the coin itself.</p><p> * Physical slab holders are smaller and less attractive than slabs of other mainstream grading services.</p><p> * Only mainstream grading service that offers an authentication-only option, though it doesn't mention this on its Web site or charge any less for this. You check a box on the submission form. NGS, known mostly as a coin conservation service, also offers an authentication-only slabbing option.</p><p> * Provides helpful service at national coin shows, informally grading and authenticating your coins, though it doesn't guarantee that you'd receive same grades if you formally submitted the same coins.</p><p> * Charges $12 + $10 for return shipping and insurance = $22 + $9 extra for five-day service = $31.</p><p> * Without five-day service, turnaround five to six weeks.</p><p> * Authenticates, grades, and slabs ancient coins, though the slabbing of ancients isn't accepted by most of the ancient coin community.</p><p> * Guarantee: If you buy a gold or silver ANACS-graded coin and feel ANACS overgraded it, you can submit it to ANACS for re-examination for a $15 fee. If ANACS determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will refund your $15 fee and pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by ANACS, using "the most accurate pricing guide(s) as determined by ANACS." On the phone, a customer service rep said that another option you have is to request that ANACS buy the coin outright from you. </p><p><br /></p><p>ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.)</p><p>877-221-4424</p><p><br /></p><p> * Ranked "average" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and "superior" in ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins.</p><p> * Uses Intercept Shield slabs designed to protect coins from toning and other environmental damage (dealers can opt out of using Intercept Shield technology).</p><p> * Criticized for being too liberal with PR-70 and MS-70 grades and for overgrading modern coins, particularly with grades MS-65 and higher.</p><p> * Net grades but does not note it on the holder.</p><p> * Bodybags problem coins -- credits fee to your account with exception of $5 processing fee.</p><p> * Authenticates, grades, and slabs ancient coins, though the slabbing of ancients isn't accepted by most of the ancient coin community.</p><p> * Charges $30 for coins over $300 for nondealers for 15-day turnaround, plus shipping and insurance; $15 for coins under $300 for 21-day turnaround with 5-coin minimum, plus shipping and insurance.</p><p> * Guarantee: If you buy a non-copper ICG-graded coin and feel ICG overgraded it, you can submit it to ICG for re-examination for free. If ICG determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will, at ICG's option, either replace the coin for one at the originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by ICG, with the fair market value "determined solely by ICG." </p><p><br /></p><p>Other Grading Services</p><p><br /></p><p>New grading services pop up all the time. Some may be bona fide attempts to create legitimate, industry-respected operations. Nonetheless, caveat emptor (buyer beware). Some of these services appear to be deliberate attempts to fool inexperienced collectors by "certifying" the practice of overgrading, grading coins far more leniently than published standards such as those in the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins and Photograde: A Photographic Grading Guide. Most of these services are "self slabbers"-- small operations run by a single coin dealer. These slabs generally provide no more security or market value than a dealer marking a grade in pencil on a 2x2 cardboard coin holder. As with all slabs, the slabs themselves can be an attractive way to store coins.</p><p><br /></p><p>Foreign Coins</p><p><br /></p><p>ICCS (International Coin Certification Service)</p><p>416-488-8620</p><p><br /></p><p> * Small coin-grading service in Toronto respected in the Canadian market. </p><p><br /></p><p>Ancient Coins</p><p><br /></p><p>ACCS (Ancient Coin Certification Service)</p><p><br /></p><p> * Service of David Sear, author of the Greek Coins and Their Values, Roman Coins and Their Values, and other standard ancient numismatic attribution works.</p><p> * Authenticates and attributes but does not grade or slab. Coins are accompanied by black-and-white photo and certificate.</p><p> * Charges $35 for basic service or $45 for detailed service. Detailed service includes extra information about the coin's historical significance.</p><p> * Turnaround two to three weeks. With express service, which costs an extra $20 per coin (three coin maximum), turnaround time is three working days.</p><p> * Does not offer guarantee of coin's authenticity. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.)</p><p>877-221-4424</p><p><br /></p><p> * See above description. </p><p><br /></p><p>ANACS (Amos Certification Service)</p><p>800-888-1861</p><p><br /></p><p> * See above description. </p><p><br /></p><p>IBSCC (International Bureau for the Suppression of Counterfeit Coins)</p><p><br /></p><p> * Service of the International Association of Professional Numismatists.</p><p> * Based in Switzerland.</p><p> * Authentication available only for dealer members of IAPN (International Association of Professional Numismatists). Works with more than 100 outside experts.</p><p> * No certificate issued.</p><p> * Does not offer guarantee of coin's authenticity. </p><p><br /></p><p>The British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals</p><p><br /></p><p> * Authenticates.</p><p> * Charges only return postage.</p><p> * No certificate issued.</p><p> * Does not offer guarantee of coin's authenticity.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Reid Goldsborough, post: 594, member: 34"]Additions and corrections are welcomed. This document is copyrighted -- please don't republish elsewhere. Slabs can provide a measure of security when buying expensive coins, but some grading companies grade considerably more liberally than others, which can cause unsuspecting buyers to pay considerably more for a coin than they would otherwise. Each of the services below has its strengths and weaknesses, and each can be worth patronizing, depending on the specific coin. Updates, corrections, and additions are welcomed with any of this information. First-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance Today PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) 800-447-8848 * PCGS-graded coins have highest retail value of any grading company, according to the Coin Dealer Newsletter. * Along with NGC, ranked "superior" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins. * Rated the least consistent service of eight major services (others were NGC, ANACS, ICG, SEGS, PCI, ACG, and NTC) in a 2003 study by Coin World. PCGS's lack of consistency may be deliberate or not, but it has the effect of encouraging repeat submissions of the same coin, which generate more revenue for it. * Coins in older slabs generally graded more conservatively and worth more. Newest PCGS slabs have blue label; green label older; dot-matrix printed label older still. Detailed breakdown with approximate dates: 3/02-date: Light blue label, with barcode, with coin and series numbers 1/99-2/02: Light blue label, no barcode, with coin and series number 11/98-12/98: Light blue label, no barcode, no coin and series numbers Mid 1995-11/98: Green label, serial number starts at right of left edge of barcode 1/90-mid 1995: Green (yellow through blue), label serial number starts at left of left edge of barcode 11/89-12/89: Slab within frame, doily label 9/89-11/89: Slab within frame, off-white label 1986-9/89: Small slabs * Net grades (lowers a coin's grade for minor problems) but does not note it on the holder. * Bodybags (doesn't grade) problem coins (major problems) -- no refund of fee. * With regular service, coins are initially graded by two graders independent of one another. If there's disagreement, a third grader grades the coin. If the third grader agrees with one of the other two graders, the coin receives that grade. If not, sometimes the grading is averaged, sometimes the graders reevaluate the coin. After these initial evaluations, the grading of the coin-in-slab is verified. Between 2% and 4% of coins are regraded at this point. A final verification ensures that slab insert information is correct. * Charges $30 for pre-1970 coins for 30-day turnaround, plus shipping and insurance. * Registered eBay users can submit to PCGS (click on Submission Center). * Guarantee: PCGS, unlike NGC, ANACS, ICG, and SEGS, is not specific about its guarantee at its Web site. On the phone, a customer service rep said if you buy a PCGS-graded coin and feel PCGS overgraded it, you can submit it to PCGS for re-examination. Unlike with NGC and ICG, however, you're charged the regular grading fee for this re-examination. If PCGS determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will work with you, either paying you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by PCGS or buying the coin outright from you. NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America) 800-642-2646 * Along with PCGS, ranked "superior" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins. * Can be more difficult to get less-than-perfect circulated coins in an NGC slab than a PCGS slab, depending on the series. * Newest slabs have fine perforation at bottom of label and small rounded square hologram on back; older slabs have full-width hologram. * Net grades but does not note it on the holder. * Bodybags problem coins -- no refund of fee. * Offers coin cleaning service through NCS (Numismatic Conservation Service). NCS will also authenticate and slab coins without grading them. * Charges $28 for coins over $300 with 12-day turnaround; $15 for coins under $300 for 21-day turnaround with 5 coin minimum, plus shipping and insurance. * Registered eBay users can submit to NGC and get a 10% rebate credited to their eBay account. * Any ANA member can submit directly to NGC through this Web page. * Guarantee: If you buy an NGC-graded coin and feel NGC overgraded it, you can submit it to NGC for re-examination for free. If NGC determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will, at NGC's option, either replace the coin for one at the originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by NGC, with the fair market value determined by NGC using "reliable current market information," which it says do not include Internet auctions/sales. Second-Tier Services in Terms of Market Acceptance Today ANACS (Amos Certification Service) 800-888-1861 * Ranked "average" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and "superior" in ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins. * Regarded as more liberal with grading in general than PCGS or NGC. * Good choice for problem coins. Notes problem on slab label and gives both technical and net grade. Sometimes, however, problems noted on the slab can be more visible than the problems on the coin itself. * Physical slab holders are smaller and less attractive than slabs of other mainstream grading services. * Only mainstream grading service that offers an authentication-only option, though it doesn't mention this on its Web site or charge any less for this. You check a box on the submission form. NGS, known mostly as a coin conservation service, also offers an authentication-only slabbing option. * Provides helpful service at national coin shows, informally grading and authenticating your coins, though it doesn't guarantee that you'd receive same grades if you formally submitted the same coins. * Charges $12 + $10 for return shipping and insurance = $22 + $9 extra for five-day service = $31. * Without five-day service, turnaround five to six weeks. * Authenticates, grades, and slabs ancient coins, though the slabbing of ancients isn't accepted by most of the ancient coin community. * Guarantee: If you buy a gold or silver ANACS-graded coin and feel ANACS overgraded it, you can submit it to ANACS for re-examination for a $15 fee. If ANACS determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will refund your $15 fee and pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by ANACS, using "the most accurate pricing guide(s) as determined by ANACS." On the phone, a customer service rep said that another option you have is to request that ANACS buy the coin outright from you. ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.) 877-221-4424 * Ranked "average" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and "superior" in ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins. * Uses Intercept Shield slabs designed to protect coins from toning and other environmental damage (dealers can opt out of using Intercept Shield technology). * Criticized for being too liberal with PR-70 and MS-70 grades and for overgrading modern coins, particularly with grades MS-65 and higher. * Net grades but does not note it on the holder. * Bodybags problem coins -- credits fee to your account with exception of $5 processing fee. * Authenticates, grades, and slabs ancient coins, though the slabbing of ancients isn't accepted by most of the ancient coin community. * Charges $30 for coins over $300 for nondealers for 15-day turnaround, plus shipping and insurance; $15 for coins under $300 for 21-day turnaround with 5-coin minimum, plus shipping and insurance. * Guarantee: If you buy a non-copper ICG-graded coin and feel ICG overgraded it, you can submit it to ICG for re-examination for free. If ICG determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will, at ICG's option, either replace the coin for one at the originally assigned grade or pay you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by ICG, with the fair market value "determined solely by ICG." Other Grading Services New grading services pop up all the time. Some may be bona fide attempts to create legitimate, industry-respected operations. Nonetheless, caveat emptor (buyer beware). Some of these services appear to be deliberate attempts to fool inexperienced collectors by "certifying" the practice of overgrading, grading coins far more leniently than published standards such as those in the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins and Photograde: A Photographic Grading Guide. Most of these services are "self slabbers"-- small operations run by a single coin dealer. These slabs generally provide no more security or market value than a dealer marking a grade in pencil on a 2x2 cardboard coin holder. As with all slabs, the slabs themselves can be an attractive way to store coins. Foreign Coins ICCS (International Coin Certification Service) 416-488-8620 * Small coin-grading service in Toronto respected in the Canadian market. Ancient Coins ACCS (Ancient Coin Certification Service) * Service of David Sear, author of the Greek Coins and Their Values, Roman Coins and Their Values, and other standard ancient numismatic attribution works. * Authenticates and attributes but does not grade or slab. Coins are accompanied by black-and-white photo and certificate. * Charges $35 for basic service or $45 for detailed service. Detailed service includes extra information about the coin's historical significance. * Turnaround two to three weeks. With express service, which costs an extra $20 per coin (three coin maximum), turnaround time is three working days. * Does not offer guarantee of coin's authenticity. ICG (Independent Coin Grading Co.) 877-221-4424 * See above description. ANACS (Amos Certification Service) 800-888-1861 * See above description. IBSCC (International Bureau for the Suppression of Counterfeit Coins) * Service of the International Association of Professional Numismatists. * Based in Switzerland. * Authentication available only for dealer members of IAPN (International Association of Professional Numismatists). Works with more than 100 outside experts. * No certificate issued. * Does not offer guarantee of coin's authenticity. The British Museum, Department of Coins and Medals * Authenticates. * Charges only return postage. * No certificate issued. * Does not offer guarantee of coin's authenticity.[/QUOTE]
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