First CAC and now PQ

1. ICG's prices are more reasonable.
2. ICG has friendly, professional and extremely knowledgeable graders.
3. ICG's grading does not appear to deviate too much from other TPGs, though there is a difference.
4. ICG is excellent for authenticating questionable pieces, providing a "stamp" of authenticity at an affordable price.

I believe if ICG is softer on grading, the market will adjust depending on the differences in grading -- that is, collectors will judge based on the coin and not the slab, though some are bound to judge the slab, but that's the nature of all markets with participants lacking in perfect knowledge.

 

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A friend of mine recently sent in a few coins to ICG & I sent a few in with his order. In my opinion, they came back somewhat strictly and accurately graded. Then I sold them on eBay... & they may as well have been raw. Unlike PCGS coins, which sell astronomically high on eBay.

 

This presents an opportunity for more knowledgeable collectors to carefully review the slabbed coins from ICG and other supposedly softer TPGs and take advantage of market distortions if they are in fact underpriced. As a collector, I have bought coins because they were slabbed by ICG, for fear of overpaying with raw coins.

 

Unfortunately many of the old ANACS and/or ICG coins have probably been sent in by dealers for crossover and haven't crossed. So whenever I see bigger or well-known dealers selling those, I assume they failed to cross and therefore don't buy. But newer ANACS & ICG slabs are always worth a look and often, a steal if you know what you're looking at. (Someone else on CT has stated this before. Sorry I can't remember who it was...).

 

I cannot recall a single TPG that has recovered market share after burning its reputation and I don't expect that ICG will be the first. Might PCGS shoot itself in the foot in the future? Certainly, but I don't see one of the currently hobbled TPGs stepping in to fill a void.

 

I realize this , but if a coin is solid or high for the grade shouldn't the CAC sticker tell the people who can't grade that the grade is legit . Also the way PCGS and NGC keep dropping their standards they'll all be equal soon anyways . Utherwise CAC really doesn't have too much of a meaning .

 

I'm not certain I understand how CAC would not have too much meaning because they do not evaluate ICG and ANACS coins.

 

Like I said, I respect different views about the TPGs. I doubt any posts here will change people's minds. I think those that are accustomed to more rigid grading standards will look down on any slackening. I suspect, though, that the general trend, perhaps dictated by the market, is for a slackening of standards. Though ICG may not be as strict as other TPGs, they strike a good balance between pricing and credibility, in my view.

 

I should have wrote , maybe they'd have more meaning if they would look at any slab and put their name on it if it meets their criteria for grading . To me it makes it look like CAC is in cahoots with the top 2 tpgs . Also I think PCGS and NGC are slowly sinking to the levels that ANACS and ICG have fallen .

 

It looks to me like favoritism as well. Also, both NGC and PCGS have loosened up their grading as well, as you point out. But I take a different view than others. I believe we are seeing a generational shift in standards.

 

One thing that has not been mentioned about CAC, is once the green/gold bean goes on the NGC/PCGS holder, they are saying they will buy that coin at fair market prices. That is their guarantee. I can see why they would not do this for any other TPG.

 

And I submit you might be right! I am sure I'd learn a lot from you.

 

Bravo!

 

I share the same sentiment with ICG. I believe they are better than most people give them credit for. As you also mentioned, they are better priced than the top 2 (when considering bang for the buck). With that said I still don't believe in grading companies altogether. Only in certain circumstances do I believe it is justifiable to pay their absurd prices to "certify" a coin. Overall TPG's are a sham and a racket.

 

You'd learn more than a little bit, that's for sure.

Unfortunately, you might turn out crotchety and old like Doug, but that's risk worth taking.

 

Excellent post.