So we all know that PCGS uses a minimum of three graders to look at each coin right?
Uh uh.
A minimum two are always used.
But is this technically a lie by PGS to say otherwise. Well...nope, but definitely a marketing trick and misleading b/c of human nature.
I missed something major as there have been many times as I have read/quoted "3-4 graders."
Why are the number of slab errors from PCGS larger than the marketing manipulated mindset (that's me and you until we do homework) would hope for?
From PCGS:
Under the boldfaced heading of "GRADING" It says,
https://www.pcgs.com/pcgs-grading-process-video
"at minimum, 3-4 graders are assigned to every coin for grading and verification.
Three to four graders are assigned, but 3-4 minimum do not grade/inspect/handle each coin!
PCGS uses the word "assignment" a bit differently than I used the term in my classrooms. PCGS graders assigned to a coin may never even see/grade the coin. For some reason I never had a student question me if the homework I assigned him/her was optional! Hmmm...clever marketing department
Further down the page:
7th paragraph down:
"...Once Grader #1 has completed grading the order, the order is redistributed for Grader #2 to provide their grade and so forth. Each grader is not privy to the opinion of the other graders on any of the coins within that order."
8th paragraph:
"If" the opinion of the first two graders does not match, that coin will be assigned to a 3rd grader whose opinion is required to “break the tie.” As a PCGS standard, the coin would still be assigned to yet a 4th grader for verification to make sure the grade is accurate and consistent.
So...here we have proof that 3rd graders and 4th graders are employed by PCGS to grade coins right?
(Oops, man I could make a good "reporter" for CNN, MSNBC etc.)
No, not 3rd and 4th graders, but we do see that a "minimum 3-4" graders are not always seeing every coin.
And that fact is clearly stated by PCGS...um...after/(if) someone (anyone actually) reads the page far enough down the page to see a minimum 3-4graders are assigned, but not necessarily used.
The main points to all of this:
Methinks 2 graders are more likely to make the same mistake than all three.
And...if the first two make the same mistake, then the mistake is never looked at/found by grader#3
...who, nonetheless, was "assigned" but didn't have to look at the coin according to the PCGS business model.
1. Methinks marketing is doing its job well.
2. Gray area methinks as well.
3. Methinks from now on I think I will refer to error slabs as being 2 grader slabs vs 3 grader slabs.
Personally I would like to have seen the entire three paragraphs shortened into:
Two graders will see your coin independently. If their opinions are different, a third will break the tie and then a 4th will also be assigned (so what happens if 3 and 4 do not agree?).
BTW - watch the PCGS video for yourself that woke me up to seeing what I had read before and not thought of:
PCGS's Grading Process Video
Another Chink in the PCGS Armor...or "Minimum 2 graders always USED at PCGS"
Moderator: Daniel
Forum rules
Here's a link to how to post a topic with images in our community https://coinauctionshelp.com/welcome-to ... community/
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You also agree to follow these guidelines. You must agree to these rules to be a member of this forum. NO SPAM! Spam is deleted within minutes, no spam will ever be left in our community.
1. Post a front and back image of your coin with a specific question about what you’re seeing or asking about and one coin per topic.
2. Please remove coin from the holder unless it’s US or an official mint case or unless it is graded by a grading service.
3. Images should be taken by a camera or cell phone camera, we ask that members don’t use images through a microscope screen.
4. Always start your own topic, please don’t ask about your coin or post your coin in someone else’s coin topic.
5. Do not send private messages about your coin unless an Admin ask you too and the same for sending emails through the board.
6. No spam. Do not post any links to your coin or other non-coin websites.
7. Always be respectful even if something makes you upset or you don’t agree with a member. You can always get a second opinion elsewhere. If you have an issue then politely ask an admin in an PM. PM’s are for issues, technical and personal, but not for coin questions (refer to number 5 on this list). Our community is not a soap box for complaining or drama, so please refrain from doing so here.[/size]
Here's a link to how to post a topic with images in our community https://coinauctionshelp.com/welcome-to ... community/
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
You also agree to follow these guidelines. You must agree to these rules to be a member of this forum. NO SPAM! Spam is deleted within minutes, no spam will ever be left in our community.
1. Post a front and back image of your coin with a specific question about what you’re seeing or asking about and one coin per topic.
2. Please remove coin from the holder unless it’s US or an official mint case or unless it is graded by a grading service.
3. Images should be taken by a camera or cell phone camera, we ask that members don’t use images through a microscope screen.
4. Always start your own topic, please don’t ask about your coin or post your coin in someone else’s coin topic.
5. Do not send private messages about your coin unless an Admin ask you too and the same for sending emails through the board.
6. No spam. Do not post any links to your coin or other non-coin websites.
7. Always be respectful even if something makes you upset or you don’t agree with a member. You can always get a second opinion elsewhere. If you have an issue then politely ask an admin in an PM. PM’s are for issues, technical and personal, but not for coin questions (refer to number 5 on this list). Our community is not a soap box for complaining or drama, so please refrain from doing so here.[/size]
- Earle42
- Administrator
- Posts: 16014
- Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:18 am
- Location: OH
- Has thanked: 1383 times
- Been thanked: 4993 times
Another Chink in the PCGS Armor...or "Minimum 2 graders always USED at PCGS"
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8
How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8
How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?
- Daniel
- Administrator
- Posts: 26520
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:59 pm
- Location: Ohio
- Has thanked: 1148 times
- Been thanked: 4160 times
- Contact:
Re: Another Chink in the PCGS Armor...or "Minimum 2 graders always USED at PCGS"
No way do they have time for more than one grader to look at every coin that comes through, they can't do that silver eagle season let alone all year. I can see a committee on 1893 S that will grade AU or more, but not all these coins people are sending in.
- Earle42
- Administrator
- Posts: 16014
- Joined: Tue Apr 02, 2019 11:18 am
- Location: OH
- Has thanked: 1383 times
- Been thanked: 4993 times
Re: Another Chink in the PCGS Armor...or "Minimum 2 graders always USED at PCGS"
I agree with the silver eagle season comment. Too bad there is no way to know how many monster boxes are sent in to do the math.
But...now we know its actually more accurate to say 2 graders per coin.
I started a write up on the perception of vs the actual PCGS "guarantee" (my added quotations are appropriate), but I have other pressing projects calling for me. Some day...
But...now we know its actually more accurate to say 2 graders per coin.
I started a write up on the perception of vs the actual PCGS "guarantee" (my added quotations are appropriate), but I have other pressing projects calling for me. Some day...
Common grading company shortcomings & resulting co$tly mi$take$ to collectors (using Kennedy No FG halves):
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8
How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?
https://tinyurl.com/y7rksxu8
How much squash would a sasquatch squash if a sasquatch would squash squash?
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 13 Replies
- 3396 Views
-
Last post by Earle42
-
- 8 Replies
- 2099 Views
-
Last post by Earle42
-
- 1 Replies
- 947 Views
-
Last post by Daniel
-
- 13 Replies
- 2431 Views
-
Last post by Nevada Cowboy
-
- 10 Replies
- 533 Views
-
Last post by Earle42
-
- 9 Replies
- 3666 Views
-
Last post by Coins2Bsure
-
- 6 Replies
- 5373 Views
-
Last post by Paul
-
- 4 Replies
- 2931 Views
-
Last post by Daniel
-
- 3 Replies
- 999 Views
-
Last post by Daniel
-
- 9 Replies
- 1517 Views
-
Last post by Earle42