Is ICG really as bad as many people say?

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

 

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I couldn't tell if it was graffiti or adjustment marks. They look like they are in nice parallel lines, line they had been done with a file. Have to see it in hand with a loupe to tell for sure.

 

I challenge you to try to crack an SEGS slab open. You might change your mind about ICG being the toughest.

 

Adjustment marks are (usually) along the edge and always struck into the coin. These are short and onviously done after striking. Plus planchets were not filed after draped bust coins.

 

That is one slab I have yet to crack!

 

I have lots of icg coins have no problem with them

 

Kudos! Without a doubt!

I can crack all of them intact, but SEGS takes great patience with its changing profile. That slab with its changing thickness and top recess, eventually convinced me to use my fine blade small band saw to make 3 cuts. One across below the label recess through the circular coin holder top, and 2 lengthwise through the coin holder, saving the label and easily exposing the coin.

JMHO

 

I have cracked open ICG and SEGS slabs (actually my husband has). He states SEGS was tougher. The easiest process for cracking out a coin, is what he calls the car-door-opener. (The following is not recommended as a method for breaking open a coin slab.) On one occasion my husband was hastily getting into his car and he closed the driver's side door quickly to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. He was holding a slabbed Franklin half in his hand and dropped it as he was entering the car. The car door closed on the slab and cracked out the coin, without a single mark or scratch!

 

Thanks for that info. I have seen adjustment marks near an edge, rather than across the face of the planchet - it was probably a warped planchet from punching it out of the strip. Now that you mention it, I don't remember seeing adjustment marks on bust halves. So, they were able to be more precise in planchet weights before 1808?

 

I cracked a gem 1882 Morgan out of a SEGS slab to get it into a PCGS slab. I don't remember it being any tougher than an NGC or PCGS. The old ANACS slabs with the blue labels are a little interesting because the plastic is a little soft and forgiving, which is a bit like "pounding sand".

 

I cracked a gem 1882 Morgan out of a SEGS slab to get it into a PCGS slab. I don't remember it being any tougher than an NGC or PCGS. The old ANACS slabs with the blue labels are a little interesting because the plastic is a little soft and forgiving, which is a bit like "pounding sand".

 

That, or it just ceased to be exonomical to make sure every planchet was exactly the correct weight.

 

I think they’re doing a great job overall. Maybe they’re a bit more lenient when it comes to cleaned coins, but they sure know what they’re doing.

 

I hate to say it, but today I came across a more recently graded 1884-CC Morgan Dollar that was graded MS-65 by ICG. I was floored at how clean the surfaces of the coin was. But looking at it, it had the tell tale signs of being messed with. I used my higher powered loupe and examined the coin closer and noticed that indeed the fields had been altered. The luster looked off and weak for how clean it appeared. Had it not been messed with and had full luster it would have been a 67 shot 68. I think they quietly net graded it a 65. Not sure if they did it because they thought it was altered surfaces (yet barely noticeable) or if they simply thought the luster was muted (and did not catch the problem). Either way it would never make it through PCGS with a straight grade and should never have made it through ICG.

 

Quite the opposite, actually. PCGS lets far more cleaned coins through than ANACS

 

Never say never. We've seen a couple examples posted in this thread. It makes one wonder how many more are out there. No TPG is infallible.

 

Prove it!

 

It’s kinda hard to prove 5 years of observations from coin shows, ebay, and coin forums. I am just as surprised by the observation, but it is what it is. I am not sure how to prove that.

Sorry if that upsets people’s petty ideas of the glorious PCGS.

 

Some folks think David H. dresses like a beach bum

 

Nothing to prove. The proof is all over the place. The truth is their is so much crap in ALL TPGS slabs that it is scary! I'm writing about straight graded coins that I personally would "detail."

Started long ago too. Read the ANA Grading guide. What does "continuous hairlining throughout" mean to you? These days, eye appeal counts most and overrides practically anything.