I have a few notes that I might be considering getting a TPG grade and encapsulation onr. I was wondering what you think the best TPG currency grader is. I would be grading mainly high-quality modern (1957 and later) notes.
There are several currency graders out there. I am not sure who would be considered the best. i know one of our memebrs (who will post here shortly i am sure lol) only buys high grades of PCGS graded notes. I trust him, so i would take that as a recomendation! As for the others, i am not saying they are bad, i just have very little expreience with any of them! i would suggest going to an auction house likeTeletrade, view completed auctions - look at the grades given by the TPG's on notes. Those who look to you like the gave a good grade for the note give a plus to, those who you dont think gave a good grade for the note give a minus to. In the end, after you looked at a binch of notes, look at the TPG's that still have pluses.... its alot of work, but you will learn alot! goodluck... Please do let us know who you go with, and post pics when you get them back (and before pics too some of us poor folsk live by viewing other peoples high end notes )
I've been told that CGA is the best TPG for currency. Supposedly, PMG (which is owned by NGC) and PCGS Currency (which is PCGS, obviously) is using their name and reputation in coin slabbing to get into the currency market. I only own one note that is graded but I agreed with the grade beforehand, based on the books that I've read on grading (granted I'm no expert). I would recommend that you read as much as you can on the subject of grading paper money. There's one currency dealer on eBay who is very adamant in his belief that CGA is the best and he makes some interesting comparisons of the same notes being graded by different companies and the misgrading that the other companies made. It's interesting to see his opinion.
My personal opinion is that if the premium on the note is less than $100 (premium being the value of the note minus it's face value), then there is relatively no benefit in having the note graded by a TPG.
