I think thru the years, I've seen more grade inflation at PCGS then I have at NGC.  I remember one coin a few years back that originally was a AU50,  after several crackouts at PCSG it became a MS65.  I don't understand how a circulated coin can become uncirc.

It is somewhat sad that NGC took out the ability to use PCGS coins in the registry, I think there was a better option that was not explored but certainly not the end of the world as some have expressed.  Both firms do a fine job and the differences between the two are much smaller than many plastic collectors would have you believe.  Imo NGC is more strict on surface marks and less in love with luster, while PCGS is absolutely in love with luster to the point in many cases that strong luster overrides some surface marks and/or soft strike.   I personally think that the move by both firms to market grading was a poor decision and one that has been an overall negative for the hobby going forward.  I would like it if both firms would just give me a grade that is biased on the coins strike, condition, and surfaces instead of what the graders think of a coins color or look, leave that to be decided by the buyer/seller.  One thing for sure I'm not one of those collectors that has blinders on and can only look at coins in a particular brand of plastic, I tend to think of that mentality as an investor not a collector.

12 hours ago, Coinbuf said:

I tend to think of that mentality as an investor not a collector

I think one of these days the "investors" are going to face some hard realities because nothing defies gravity and common sense forever. I recently saw a note that sold for $12,345 because it was the only one PMG had graded as a 70. There are 83 of the same note graded 69 and hundreds graded 68 and 67. I don't really see that person ever seeing that money coming back but I'm sure the dealer was thrilled.

I have no problem with the grading standards of either company.  I do prefer the NGC holder for purely aesthetic reasons, I just feel they highlight the coin better.  I am actually also quite fond of the current ANACS holder because the curved top allows for a brief description of the coin when looking at a holder full of coins.  Plus ANACS is the VAM collectors friend.  

I did not know about and have not seen this exclusion of PCGS coins from sets?  Is it coming soon?  Or just in registry sets but not custom sets?  

That'd stink.  But, I secretly did plan to reholder my PCGS coins to NGC eventually anyways, since when they are all next to each other on a table the different holders are a little distracting.

9 hours ago, Mokiechan said:

I do prefer the NGC holder for purely aesthetic reasons, I just feel they highlight the coin better

I prefer the NGC holder too, as long as it is the modern kind with prongs where you can see some rim.  Maybe the contrast of white against gold is what does it for me, who knows.

But more importantly for me, I can't make my set of coins from ancient to modern time in the same holders unless it's NGC, because PCGS does not grade ancients.  I guess I could use ANACS.  But,  if my next of kin had to sell the coins, I am ashamed to admit, I believe they won't do as well in ANACS holders.

I have had NGC grade up, and down, coins I broke out of ANACS and PCGS holders and sent into them.  So I think they are awake there.  My wife doesn't even believe my coins are real, so, there's still convincing to be done

Kerry,

Good to see you back and writing again.  Journals had sort of dried up the last few years with the changes in the website and some frequent writers dropping out of sight.

I like Franklins and have two (almost) full sets of FBLs, one in PCGS slabs and one in NGC slabs, except for the 53-S in both sets.  I think all 34 of my NGC FBLs would get the FBL from the other guys, but probably no more than ten of the PCGS coins would get a FBL from NGC.  The difference is that obvious.

I prefer the look of the NGC holders also, and even before the rules changed my collection was predominately NGC.  It would be nice to still be able to add PCGS coins, particularly the hard-to-find issues, but PCGS has never allowed other graders in their registry so I guess it's understandable. I have never played the crackout game but have attempted to cross over a few, and actually had better success crossng ANACS coins (approximately 70%) than PCGS coins (approximately 50%).  

Welcome back!

7 hours ago, CBC said:

 

I prefer the look of the NGC holders also, and even before the rules changed my collection was predominately NGC.  It would be nice to still be able to add PCGS coins, particularly the hard-to-find issues, but PCGS has never allowed other graders in their registry so I guess it's understandable. I have never played the crackout game but have attempted to cross over a few, and actually had better success crossng ANACS coins (approximately 70%) than PCGS coins (approximately 50%).  

Welcome back!

 

I've had similar experiences......ANACS coins do actually do better at NGC than PCGS coins do.  You have to crack them out first now, yes, but they do better.  I've actually had several ANACS coins go up a couple of points when submitted to NGC.  I've never had that happen with PCGS.  Actually, in my experience, about 50% of PCGS graded US material will cross, but you have an equal chance of downgrading.  I've never seen a PCGS graded coin get upgraded at NGC.  ANd non-US coins?  Forget it.  PCGS graded non-US material almost always downgrades here at NGC.  I used to be very active in collecting Canadian and Ottoman coins and, let me tell you, you never want to buy those coins in PCGS plastic and cross them here.  I've thankfully never done that, but I know some people that really got killed trying to cross PCGS coins from those two countries to NGC. 

This question comes up time and time again. I always enjoy reading the responses here, ATS, and elsewhere. The majority of the people who try to stick to PCGS seem to do so for the seemingly increasing advantage when it is time to sell.

As an ANA member, I prefer NGC. That being said, as Bowers said, " buy the coin, not the holder."   The recent article about collecting slabs was very interesting.  I have an old ANA graded coin with picture that I sent in so many years ago.  I sought to have it graded in some type of slab that could contain the first grading certificate.  No luck at present. 

I have to go with NGC. We can argue grades all day long. Yes a few have been changed if you want to spend the money evertime. But the Smithsonian Institute tested the slabs. NGC came out the best in every category. Then they placed three hundred of our most famous coins and expensive coins in NGC holders. That's very important.Put them in a holder not up to par your grade will fall. I have coins in my safe. In twenty five years raw or holders none toned.  Until  I noticed last week. The only coin that toned in part of it was in a PCGS holder. Nothing else. That should tell you something since I don't like toning. Somehow air got in that holder and it's an ugly tone. It's on a five ounce coin from 2010 America The Beautiful Set. That bothers me the others are beautiful and have that wonderful finish thanks PCGS. Thanks for your journal.

On 6/1/2019 at 11:58 PM, Coinbuf said:

It is somewhat sad that NGC took out the ability to use PCGS coins in the registry, I think there was a better option that was not explored but certainly not the end of the world as some have expressed.  Both firms do a fine job and the differences between the two are much smaller than many plastic collectors would have you believe.  Imo NGC is more strict on surface marks and less in love with luster, while PCGS is absolutely in love with luster to the point in many cases that strong luster overrides some surface marks and/or soft strike.   I personally think that the move by both firms to market grading was a poor decision and one that has been an overall negative for the hobby going forward.  I would like it if both firms would just give me a grade that is biased on the coins strike, condition, and surfaces instead of what the graders think of a coins color or look, leave that to be decided by the buyer/seller.  One thing for sure I'm not one of those collectors that has blinders on and can only look at coins in a particular brand of plastic, I tend to think of that mentality as an investor not a collector.

Hi Coinbuf,

Thank you for this in-depth comment. I could not agree with you more. Starting long ago, raw or slabbed, it was always the coin that won out. Not the plastic. Also you’re spot on on the different positive attributes that NGC looks at compared to PCGS. Please forgive me for not commenting earlier. I’m still getting use to an actual app on NGC. And the navigation, photos, comments etc. I’m gonna spend the rest of the summer sorting out surfing and skating accidents and my second and third grandchild added to my growing family. Along with getting all my tens on here. All the best to you and yours!

kerry

I think it's all subjective. I seen coins graded by both NGC and PCGS at ms65 and grades of ms64 and ms63 that looked better by comparison. So for the cost of having the service done should be fairer. The reason for my opinion is because it's happened to me by both.

Hands down PCGS, as they allow ANACS slabs for crossover

3 hours ago, TonyDv said:

Hands down PCGS, as they allow ANACS slabs for crossover

Thats just plain ignorance of facts.

So pcgs grades anacs slabs before they grade the coins...😆

I do prefer NGC, if for nothing else they are local. I have heard too many times at the shows that they are conservative, and this I do not want, I want accurate. I understand until the technology comes along the grading is highly subjective. I really do look forward to new technology, something on the line of a CMM but more of a video CMM in order to analyze the luster among other features. I just had a bad experience with a coin I sent out, I broke up a nice 1962 mint set primarily to get the nickel out. The nickel has nice eye appeal, Philadelphia mint so no mint mark, full steps. I received an email from the grader stating it was a proof coin. I know in fact it is not, unfortunately I am unable to prove them wrong. I have multiple proof sets with much better coins and I would never send those out, if for nothing else they have no value. The 1962 P nickel full steps graded at least a 67 has some value. I'm not going to mention which grader, they have done a great job on  most other submissions.

Both are fine, I have my world crowns in both holders.

I say NGC. Why because when I watch Rick Tomaska. He shows the grades from PCGS  there always three four times higher. You want an inflated graded go to PCGS you want an honest grade NGC. You sell a so I from PCGS . It's a MS. 70. He sends it to NYC it grades  MS 68. Now you have a oroblem. Thanks Be well and Be safe

When it comes to US coins, I do not find much difference between NGC and PCGS.  The difference will be between an individual grader and another.  Grading process allows variances between individual graders.  However, when it comes to international coins.  NGC is way better at any time with reference to most coins that I have personally seen.  

Depends on the series IMO on U. S. coins. Take Roosevelt Dimes and Franklin Half Dollars as examples. The (FT) full torch designation is much more stringent than the (FB) full bands designation from PCGS. On the halves, NGC counts the upper bell lines as well as the lower to get the FBL designation. ANACS does as well. At any given time at auctions and dealers more Franklins seem to be available at almost a 3:1 ratio or so it seems. I do like PCGS on clad issues over NGC simply because they seem more consistent in their grading and I have seen toned clads rejected by NGC.

Thank you guys! This was an old post of mine, yet my opinion remains about the same. Up until recently my fav coin series was the Franklin half in ms. $10 liberty gold from New Orleans is now my top priority. Of course I’ll only get maybe one coin every year or two now due to the costs. In the past, coins graded the exact same by these two graders had a stigma. PCGS had a tendency to bring a little more at auction than a coin graded the same from NGC. People that lived by this belief are maybe ones that buy the plastic, rather than the coin?
The coin series I KNOW best in silver is the Franklin half. I’d rather have every example I own in an NGC slab. Why? They’re way tougher on the FBL designation (full bell lines) Period. 
The $10 Liberty gold is a different animal all together. PCGS coins I own are strong for the grade assigned. Yet so are my NGC examples. 
This again boils down to the most important fact in all this. A Q from Q.D. Bowers saying ALWAYS buy the coin! Not the plastic it resides in. 
happy collecting to all, and thank you for your comments. 
kerry