Independent Coin Grading Services Compared
In 2002, PNG and ICTA conducted a survey of independent or professional American coin grading services.
"Responding to hobby concerns about perceived wide variances in the grading standards between different rare coin certification services, the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) asked their members for their professional opinions."
Survey respondents were asked to rate seven different grading services on a ten-point scale to evaluate 11 different criteria, from grading accuracy to the quality of the holder in which certified coins were housed. The voting scale ranged from "unacceptable" at the low end to "outstanding" at the high end.
PNG ITCTA Grading Survey Criteria
Grading Accuracy (MS&PR 60 +)
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Grading Accuracy (AG-3 to AU-58)
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Ability to detect Altered, Repaired, Damaged, Cleaned and Counterfeits
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Accuracy of all Attributions
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Grading Guarantees
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General Marketability
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Availability of Pricing Information
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Customer Service (Phone, Print & Internet)
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Cost for Service Provided
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Turnaround Time
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Quality of Certified Holder
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List of Independent Coin Grading Services
with PNG ITCTA Grading Survey results (Rating), where applicable
Acronym | Name | Based in | Commenced | Rating
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ACG | ASA Accugrade | Florida, USA | 1984 | Unacceptable
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ANACS | Anderson Press | Texas, USA | 1972 | Average
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CGS | CGS | Kent, UK | 2007 | N/A
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Hallmark | Hallmark | USA ? | ?* | N/A
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ICCS | Independent Coin Certification Service Inc. | Canada | ? | N/A
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ICG | Independent Coin Grading | Colorado, USA | 1998 | Average
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NGC | Numismatic Guaranty Corporation | USA | 1987 | Superior
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NTC | Numistrust Corporation | Florida, USA | ? | N/A
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PCGS | Professional Coin Grading Services | USA | 1986 | Superior
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PCI | Photo Certified Institute | Georgia, USA | 1989 | Poor
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SEGS | Sovereign Entities Grading Service Inc. | Tennessee, USA | ? | Poor
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Notes
* Hallmark are no longer in business.
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