Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) marked its 25th anniversary with PCGS leaders proudly looking back at a quarter-century filled with accomplishments and eagerly looking ahead to upcoming methods and plans for increasing consumer protection.
PCGS officials and PCGS Authorized Dealers gathered on February 2, 2011 for a celebration in Long Beach, California on the eve of the milestone anniversary date.
PCGS now has graded more than 20 million coins with a combined total value over $20 billion.
"When PCGS opened on February 3, 1986, we ‘flicked a switch’ and changed the rare coin market," said David Hall, PCGS Co-Founder and President of its parent company, Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT).
"This was truly a revolution for the hobby and the rare coin market. We not only established impartial, third-party standards for grading coins, we also created sight-seen and sight-unseen markets for trading certified coins. This generated unprecedented confidence for collectors to participate in the market, and helped coin owners recognize the true value of their coins," said Hall.
PCGS President Don Willis said the company is looking to the future with the recent opening of an office in Europe and the introduction of the ground-breaking PCGS Secure Plus™, an unparalleled system that employs state-of-the-art technology to help combat counterfeiting and coin doctoring.
"Nothing protects your coins like PCGS Secure Plus. It’s made a good thing even better," Willis stated.
Over the past quarter-century, many of the most famous and desirable rare coins have been certified by PCGS including:
- The unique Neil-Carter-Contursi specimen strike (PCGS SP66) Flowing Hair 1794 dollar believed by many experts to be the first silver dollar struck by the United States Mint;
- The Sultan of Muscat-Brand-Childs (PCGS PR68), the King of Siam (PCGS PR67) and the Parmelee-Reed (PCGS PR64) 1804 Draped Bust silver dollars;
- The entire fabled King of Siam proof set;
- The Garrett 1787 Brasher Doubloon (PCGS MS64) with the Ephraim Brasher "EB" punch mark on the eagle’s wing; and
- The Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Head nickel (PCGS PR66), the finest of the five known of what is arguably the most famous U.S. rare coin.
Only United States coins were accepted for authentication and grading when PCGS opened in 1986. Now the company certifies coins from over 100 countries, and has an office in Paris, France to accept submissions from PCGS Authorized Dealers in the European Union.
Among the many major accomplishments during PCGS’ first 25 years are:
- The examination and grading of over 20 million coins;
- Creation of the widely used PCGS Population Report;
- Creation of the authoritative PCGS3000® rare coin index and PCGS Price Guide;
- Creation of the wildly popular PCGS Set Registry™ program that now has more than 54,000 registered sets;
- Creation of PCGS CoinFacts™, the most comprehensive online numismatic information resource;
- Creation of PCGS Secure Plus™ for more precise and consistent grading and improved detection of altered coins;
- Creation of PCGS Photograde™Online to make determining a coin’s grade easy and accessible; and
- Creation of the PCGS Million Dollar Coin Club, a fun reference guide to recognize and honor the more than 230 United States rare coins now valued by experts at $1 million or more each.
"25 years ago we had no idea of what we had created. We just felt it had to be done. We wanted to help dealers come together and offer coin buyers a more standardized way of looking at coins. And, it grew beyond anything we ever expected," Hall added.
"I guess we did OK, because we’re still here," quipped Steve Mayer, Chief Operating Officer of Collectors Universe. "We’ve been grading coins steadily for 25 years. Where we could barely get out 3,000 coins, we now push out 150,000 a month. It’s been challenging, but it’s been fun."
About PCGS
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT), the leader in third-party authentication and grading services for high-value collectibles including rare coins, trading cards, tickets, autographs, memorabilia and stamps.
With more than 20 million coins graded commanding a total value over $20 billion, PCGS represents the industry standard in third-party certification.
For additional information, visit www.PCGS.com or call PCGS Customer Service at (800) 447-8848.
