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PCGS Membership. Is it worth it?

Started by ruddi-migration,

13 posts in this topic

gmarguli

gmarguli

Posted
Posted

You do realize that you are posting this on the competition's web site. smile.gif

 

Is it worth it? Only if you plan on sending in a bunch of coins and there is no dealer near you that you want to use and you want to use PCGS instead of a company that actually cares about its customers and doesn't try to screw them over at every step.

 

Cheaper companies? Sure, all the way down to $3 a coin. You get what you pay for.

 

Consider NGC (this site). Same cost of membership, but you get 5 gradings free instead of 4. You also get a 10% discount if you fill out the submission forms online.

 

Compare prices (turnaround times are calendar days and approximate):

Modern Tier: NGC $9.90 (14 days). PCGS $12 (45 days)

Economy Tier: NGC $13.50 (30 days). PCGS $16 (100 days)

Regular Tier: NGC $25.20 (15 days). PCGS $30 (15 business days guaranteed, but their guarantee is a joke and a NON-business day includes everything under the sun - figure 30 days total).

Express Tier: NGC $45 (2 days). PCGS $50 (10 days).

 

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LucyBop

LucyBop

Posted
Posted

NGS?

 

You mean NGC....

 

 

You will not get screwed, NGC is one of the top companys...

 

And their white slab, very nice setting for toner coins.....

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gmarguli

gmarguli

Posted
Posted
Thanks. Reason I mentioned PCGS is because I am not very familiar with NGS. I am new to the game. Most of the coins I see graded are done by PCGS. I am glad you spoke highly of NGS, for I do not want to be screwed.

 

Both companies started around the same time (PCGS employee left and started NGC, I believe). Both are respected.

 

PCGS is regarded for the modern coin (1970-2004) market. NGC for classic. I like the way NGC grades foreign. I wasn't too happy with the way PCGS did. ANACS is OK for circulated coins and varieties. Be careful of the other lower tier companies.

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jom

jom

Posted
Posted

Is it worth becoming a PCGS member? I have lots of coins that I would love to have graded by a professional. Seems that submission prices are expensive- is there a cheaper company? Appreciate any comments.

 

I'd like to suggest something else. Do YOURSELF a favor and learn to grade those coins on your own. Do research, such as viewing similar coins at coins shows or auction lot viewings. Ask others what they think the coin grades. After you've been around the block a bit THEN maybe you can make a good financial decision on whether it's a good idea to blow money on these grading companies.

 

Just an alternative idea....

 

jom

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gmarguli

gmarguli

Posted
Posted
Economy Tier: NGC $13.50 (30 days). PCGS $16 (100 days)
Uh, Greg, that would only be 90 days... 893blahblah.gif

 

thumbsup2.gif

 

blush.gif My mistake. I also made a mistake with NGC's time. It's 25 days. smile.gif

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clw54

clw54

Posted
Posted

I don't think it's worth it right now because of the slow turnaround time. They are SLOW. Ninety days for economy and it's uncertain if it's calendar days.

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MikeKing

MikeKing

Posted
Posted

I don't believe in PCGS's grading of copper. I also know a lot of people would disagree with me, and they may be right...just my opinion.

 

They say coins sell for more in PCGS holders. Maybe I should have changed all my holders to PCGS before putting my coins up for auction. But the ones in PCGS holders fared no better. What does that say?

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EZ_E

EZ_E

Posted
Posted
Is it worth becoming a PCGS member? I have lots of coins that I would love to have graded by a professional. Seems that submission prices are expensive- is there a cheaper company? Appreciate any comments.

 

I'm considering sending in my Wright brothers gold and the matte proof Jeffersons and Kennedy to ICG because they are cheaper and I like their holders better. The grade doesn't matter squat to me since they are all practically identical in quality anyway. I mainly want them encapsulated to protect the coins and for ease of storage.

 

I would not use ICG for classic coins or items that you intend for resale. I would definitely suggest NGC for these coins because of their reliablilty and faster turn-a-round time.

 

Just my opinion...

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