Look at this store : http://stores.ebay.ca/Abon-Enterprises I don't get it. Maybe 80% of the coins there are MS-70!?!?! Even very nice lots of pennies D, P, S... How can they find all this, and SGS must be overgrading, that's "impossible", just good for an X-Files episode? What do you all think at seeing these full of MS-70 auctions? Could they only be real MS-69 overgraded for better sale? Lost Max dd:
SGS is well known for being nothing more than a fraud. They grossly over grade coins and sell them for as much as they can. The coins they say are MS-70 are probably MS-65/66 at best. Stay away!
Thanks! Well, if I can get some sets of USA MS coins for some dollars, I'll probably get them since it's a bit harder, here, to find these coins in pretty good condition... I'll watch the price of these auctions and evaluate them as... say... MS-65 coins. Max
Nope, don't bother, you would be wasting your time and your money. Do a search on this forum for 'SGS'. The coins sold in SGS 'slabs' are pocket change, and most are not even uncirculated. It is also pointless to evaluate based on photos because the SGS seller uses stock photos for everything. STAY AWAY FROM SGS!
Spend the time to read this link http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=15253 re: SGS and then decide for yourself.
I totaly agree with the other guys---I wouldn't suggest buying SGS slabs...even if it is hard to get nice coins where you live.... Speedy
This is for some of our newer folks here... Aboncom (ebay seller) owns, has owned, and/or has a vested interest in Star Grading Service (SGS) which is located literally down the road in central Ohio from where Abon is located. They are not a 3rd parted grading service. All they are is a seller that takes their OWN coins and packages and markets them in their OWN slabs for the purpose of duping new collectors. The vast majority of their packaging is either MS70 or PR70 coins (don't forget the gold tape!) but lately, they have moved into other areas like Morgans. So don't be surprised to see some ridulous Morgans graded as MS68 or 67 for dates that the likes of PCGS or NGC doesn't even have in their POP reports. Many buyers have been suckered into buing their coins thinking, well maybe it is a MS65...well guess what? Many buyers have reported these Morgans to be no better than MS63 with a few cleaned AU's alone the way! Face it, what they do is is like advertising a manufactured home as a mansion, or as I like to call it, "putting lipstick on a pig", all to make their listing appear legit so it drives up bid/auction prices...for THEIR pockets. So in a nut shell, when you see Star Grading Service or SGS "graded" coins... RUN!
The only good SGS coin is a free one. That way you did not lose anything and can crack it out and spend if needed.
Just to add to what Midas said for our newer folks when it comes to grading coins, the top t.p.g services.Have graders with years of experience in the numismatics field,they use stereo microscopes, and special lighting to get the true grade of a coin submitted to them for grade. And each coin is checked by two or more graders to be sure of percise and fair accuracy . On the other hand those other folks and there are many, use a clean glass mayonnaise jar they just put the bottom of the jar over the top of the coin look down and bingo ms-70 . Always come here befor you buy anything you are not sure of, there is always someone here that can help the members here have helped me out many times and saved me alot of money.DO a search here to find the top T.P G there is alot written about them.
written ebay about SGS Has anyone ttried to write to ebay and explain the "wool" they are pulling over folks eyes. maybe if the everyone in the forum would all right a letter they would do something about it?
What would be better is an "expose" in Coin World or another notable coin publication. Us knowing about it here, is not enough, in my opinion. OR post a disclaimer in ALL your eBay listings about the reputible TPGs. THANK YOU!!!, btw. I made sure to steer my dad toward the "legit" TPGs at the Vienna Coin Show this weekend (which ends today and is at one of the NOVA campuses)
Read this link from start to finish http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=15253 ! Midas tried repeatedly to inform other buyers on eBay and eBay put him in the penalty box ( suspended him from the eBay forum ) at least twice. The consensus being that the amount of fees they ( ABON ) generate for eBay must override, at least in eBay's eyes, the hundreds of negative feedbacks they have. A surprising number of members here said something to the effect of " too bad for the new guy or newbies have to watch out for themselves. "
The SGS holder looks very lame compared the the real grading co slabs. Sorry Midas,i know you love the gold tape...lol
I know I am reiterating what has been stated many times previous, but I think it is very important to point out and educate the numismatic community about the number of new "grading sevicees" that have entered the marketplace in the past few years. I feel that this sort of misinformation is a major problem that could sour many potential new collectiors in our hobby. These services are using the "subjective nature" of grading to grossly overgrade coins and intentionally deceive collectors. I always encourage new collectors to reasearch the hobby and gain a solid base of knowledge before spending an extensive amount of money on coins.
As a general rule the graders at the top TPG's DO NOT use a microscope on the coins. In fact if you talk to them you will find that 90% of the time they use no magnification whatsoever and when they do use a magnifier it is normally no more than a 5X magnification. The only times when they might use a steroscope would be when they are being paid to confirm a doubled die that can only be seen under high power, or trying to confirm a new suspected counterfeit. They NEVER use them for grading.
