Here’s a list, accompanied by images, of coin grading company slabs you should avoid at all costs. If you don’t know much about grading coins (most of us don’t, even if we think we do) or can’t see a clear image, with which to grade the coin, then do yourself a favor and move on to better auctions.

I have read too many regret stories from collectors who didn’t know they were buying an over-graded coin. All of them thought that if it was in a professional looking holder then it must be graded properly. A few thought they were grabbing a bargain.

Note: Some of these holders might appear with a different design or label color, and might be sold by multiple ebay sellers. However, most are sold by a single ebay seller in large quantities.

INB International Numismatic Bureau

NNC National Numismatic Certification

SGS Star Grading Service

ANGS American Numismatic Grading Service

 NAC Numismatic Authentification Company

NCC Numismatic Collectors Company

 NES Numismatic Evaluation Service

NPG Numismatic Professional Grading

CSI Certified Silver Investments

USGS US Coin Grading

No-Name Holders

You should avoid most no-name holders since they’re just coins graded by the person selling the coins, as are most over-grading coin companies and services. If you can’t see a clear and detailed image, without glare or “masking” angles and lighting then don’t bid on the coin, no matter what the holder label claims.

ANGS

ANGS is an ebay seller masquerading as legitimate grading service, that grades their own coins for the sole purpose of gaining as much profit as possible. All examples I have examined are coins that have either been cleaned or over-graded or the combination of both.

ANGS does not adhere to any standard but their own, and don’t even attempt to give an honest grade. If you buy ANGS slabbed coin, do so at your own risk. To see more examples of poorly graded coins click here

INB

INB (International Bureau Of Numismatics) is another service that appears to be owned an operated by an ebay seller named Numismatic Bureau. I have received many email complaints about this service.  Namely, over-grading and the wrong date on the label when compared to the coin in the holder.

INB slabs mostly modern coins, and giving most a perfect PR70 or MS70 grade. A perfect 70 grade is a rare occurrence even in modern coinage, and this grade can only be obtained by a coin that has no imperfections. 

It’s apparent, to any knowledgeable collector, that INB can’t possible come across this many perfect coins. PCGS grades many more coins than INB and they don’t grade a third as many perfect coins.

INB also grades proof and mint sets as well as modern rolls of coins. I suggest buying these coins at your own risk, and only if you can see clearly that the coin is perfect, and will make the grade if submitted to the top tier grading companies.