Results of my attempt to cross two coins from ICG to PCGS

[James_OldeTowne]

I cracked two Franklins out of ICG holders, 1962 and 1963, both graded PR-69 CAM. They looked great in the holders, but upon crackout, I noticed a couple of micro hairlines on the 1962, and a handful of faint scattered hairlines on the 1963. The 1962 came back PR-68 CAM and the 1963 came back PR-67 CAM.

 

Considering how cheap they were in the ICG holders, I should make about a 300% profit on these coins, minus cost of certification.

 

James

[Hoot]

I've done the same with Jefferson nickels and had similar luck. The coins are 1 to 2 grade points lower than what the ICG holder states. I've never ONCE had an ICG coin that made a direct cross. The FS attribution for Jeff nicks at ICG is the same as PCGS.

 

Hoot

[TomB]

When ICG started up they were very conservative and I had crossed a number of their coins at grade or one point higher going into PCGS holders. Of course, after about four months of operations, they loosened up quite a bit.

[toneddollars]

I have had pretty good success cracking toned Morgans. I sent in Five in all and four cossed at the same and one dropped a grade. sent it in with some other coins a year later and it got graded up a grade. I'm happy

[jtryka]

I've had mixed results with ICG to NGC Crosses. On a Liberty half eagle I lost two points, on an Indian eagle I lost 2 points, on a Liberty eagle I crossed at the same grade, and on a Classic head half eagle, I actually upgraded a full grade (XF-40 to XF-45). The difference in my experience is that these were all real crossovers and not crack-outs. I wonder if I would have done better cracking?

[gmarguli]

I've had mixed results with ICG to NGC Crosses. On a Liberty half eagle I lost two points, on an Indian eagle I lost 2 points, on a Liberty eagle I crossed at the same grade, and on a Classic head half eagle, I actually upgraded a full grade (XF-40 to XF-45). The difference in my experience is that these were all real crossovers and not crack-outs. I wonder if I would have done better cracking?

 

I haven't exactly done a ton of crossovers, but at NGC every coin I've submitted that I thought should cross has. Several have upgraded. Most were PCGS coins. Some have been "3rd tier" slabs!

 

At PCGS, well...politics. Don't bother unless you want to waste your money.

[jom]

Of course, after about four months of operations, they loosened up quite a bit.

 

That's the problem...isn't it? Either they loosen up to get submissions OR they grade with the market and go out of business like Hallmark did. What are ya gonna do?

 

jom

[James_OldeTowne]

I have a friend who attempted to cross an 1806 draped bust half in an ICG VF-20 holder. He cracked it out, and it came back VF-30 from PCGS. However, overall, I've heard that the success rate is pretty low. It surprised me, as I thought it was only a VF-20 myself.

 

I bought the two Frankies so dirt cheap, I just had to take a shot at it, just for fun. I'm not crackout artist, not by any means. In fact, I've only crossed maybe 10 coins in my entire life!

 

James

[HaydenTubbs]

Wow! thats pretty good,From a VF-20 to a VF-30 is several hundred dollars!

[James_OldeTowne]

Yes, he turned a really good profit on the coin when he sold it. With the proceeds, he bought two more bust halves! You can't beat a two-for-one deal!!

 

James

[Gallagher]

I haven't cracked-out any coins or sent them in for crossover(as of yet). but wouldn't it be better to just send in an NGC slab to PCGS or vice verse with a minimuum acceptable grade? at least then you dont run the chance of going down a grade, or is your chances of getting a higher grade better if you crack it out first?

 

Gallagher

[James_OldeTowne]

Personally, I would never try to cross over coins in their slab. If I don't have utter confidence as to what grade a coin should have, I wouldn't be trying to cross it in the first place!

 

Also, at least with ICG slabs, quite often the plastic is so cheap and scratched up, I don't see how anyone could reasonably expect the coin to be gradeable without cracking it out. There's just too much hindrance when trying to view a coin through a capsule. For that matter, it's why I MUCH prefer coins when they are not encapsulated.

 

Think about it. When someone offers you an expensive coin in a flip, don't you remove it before you grade it? I certainly do!

 

James