PCI Gold Label for MS Coins: How Bad are They?

Hi all,

I've heard that PCI's gold labeled slabbed coins can often be quite far off with grading but some have also said they aren't that terrible (perhaps 1-2 points overgraded). Anyone have any particular experience or ideas on these? Obviously we aren't talking NGC or PCGS here but I'm curious as to whether any real stock can be put in MS grades assigned by PCI with the gold labels.

Thanks for your time.

 

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Warning, Will Robinson. WARNING!

 

actually, PCI isn't bad at all.
There was a time that they went a little stupid in their grades, especially on the high grade uncs.

However, for 'normal' coins they seem pretty accurate.

 

I've purchased a few PCI coins and I'm very happy with them, but never a gold label. But I'm more concerned with eye appeal than technical grade and I don't care if someone thinks the coin should be 1-2 points lower since I paid a lower price than a similar PCGS/NGC coin would cost for a good looking coin.

 

I have one PCI gold (that I can think of right now).
It is a Leif Ericson 2000P Unc $.

It is slabbed as MS-70, current values are $350 in 70.

And even in MS-65 $100, MS-69 $110.

I got it for $70.

No matter what, I think that it is a good deal.

 

You definitely have to buy the coin not the slab. But, I've got some very beautiful coins from them at very affordable prices because some people blow them off.

 

PCI was one the best grader of nickels.but there called Domino grading service I have used the one time and the put finger print on a1959 Lmc Proof. and the coin that's showing was from a Bu roll I had.I know I never clean it but some that own it.

 

the green label were usually right on the mark the gold label were junk overgraded and cleaned (put in ms holder)

 

Hey folks
Rlm has picked some cherries in these PCI holders at discount prices, they are now in PCGS holders and he is laffin all the way to the bank. I have watched this guy work a show.

The trick is to bargain down the holder ( but buy the coin ), think cracker and potential. It does work, he has proven this to me time and time again.

I think this would go for all off brand plastic, buy the COIN, then crack and cross it. It may say MS-67, you pay 63 $$, but if you get a PCGS 65 RD yee hawwww, thats what RLM does.

Edit to add:

I crossed a bargain 1922-D Lincoln in a PCI-65 90% red ( they used to do perctages) into a NGC 65 RB. Worked out well.

 

So true, I forgot that part

 

Great post and so true.

 

I had a few coins slabbed by PCI when a friend was sending some of his in for the cheap rate basically.
I think they're the green holders though.

Anyway I thought the grading was pretty good and even a bit low on one. It was Two Cent Pieces and I have seen a few of those. The 1868 came back as AU58 and I feel it could cross over to NGC or PCGS as MS63.
I also sent in an 1864 small motto and an 1872. Both came back as XF45 and that is exactly how I saw them.
Eventually they'll be "crossed over" as those last two especially would garner more money in an NGC or PCGS holder at even XF40 than they would in a PCI at XF45. I'm confident they'll get the XF45 again.

 

I used PCI back in the green 10 digit holder days.
They were really tough on some coin types.
This site has some great information.
http://www.k6az.com/pci/pci.htm

 

Thanks for the link .
rzage

 

You can't really answer a question like this with a blanket statement other than to buy the coin. The gold labels were issued under three different owners and the quality standards were all over the place. The green labels come in two different styles and the second type was issued by two different owners so standards vary here as well.

 

Condor:
Excellent point.
Perhaps that is why they are not more respected in the industry.

 

can it be less than a 67? Can we see it?

Ruben

 

Hallmark was the predecessor to PCI. Hallmark coins are typically conservatively graded, however most of the undergraded material has been cracked out and sent out to one of the big 4. Hallmark slabs look just like the green PCI holders, and they say hallmark in raised plastic at the top of the slab.

Also, typically 10 digit green PCI holders were conservatively graded, however lots of the material in the 10 digit holders has problems, and dealers have kept the ones that were liberally graded in their holders since many people think the coin would definitely grade the same at PCGS or NGC, which quite often is not the case. (sorry about the giant run on sentence)

It is my understanding that PCI was then purchased, at which time they switched to a 14 digit green label, and then the gold label. Occasionally you see a gold label PCI holder that would actually cross, but I would estimately that a good 90% would not cross. I have seen a ton of cleaned, artifically toned, damaged, scratched etc coins in their holders.

 

HALLMARK and PCI had absolutely nothing to do with each other. They were two completely different companies and they were both in operation at the same time, and PCI was the older of the two companies. The only connection between the two was that after HALLMARK went out of business its supplies were purchased and then sold to PCI.