I know that the major four PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and ICG have different reputations with regards to the quality of grading for various ranges of grades. For example, ICG is considered to be pretty good at grading AU and MS coins. But, is terrible at grading the higher MS grades, especially 70. (I know this from personal experience) Does nayone have a guide or a quality review of the major grading services for condition? I just won some auctions for NGC PF70 UCAM versions of the 2005 silver dime (for $18) and 2005 Silver eagle ($77). I have in my collection a NGC PF70 2000 Silver half. Coin Values has the price of this at $850. I paid a lot less for this. But, it's going on eBay now for like $70. Obviously, PCGS perfect coins go for a lot more. Is it safe to assume that PCGS is the best for perfect graded coins? How does NGC rank for MS and PF70 coins? Thanks in advance for your replies.
no, it would not be safe to assume that PCGS is the best for any graded coins. All TPG's have areas in which they are better suited, but i think its more like company A does better at grading 18th century coins, and company B is better at modern coins. I have never heard of anyone saying anything about PCGS or any other compnay doing better at grading ms70 coins (unless its SGS, they grade everything ms70) Another thing, going by the pcgs price guide is a bad idea, nothing sells for those prices (well, almost nothing)
PCGS generally gives out fewer 70 grades on moderns than NGC and ICG. Therefore, the PCGS coins bring stronger money because there are fewer of them out there in 70. Does that make PCGS better? I'll leave that for others to decide.
It is never safe to assume anything. That being said, the answer to your question (IMO) is no they are not. PCGS deliberately avoids assigning the 70 grade so that they may hold up the inflated prices for coins in their slab with that grade. NGC on the other hand assigns the 70 grade when they feel it is deserved - it's just that simple.
