PCGS Secure Plus™. The Most Important Innovation in the Coin Industry Since the Advent of Third Party Grading.
David Hall and Don Willis Announce the "Big One" - PCGS Secure Plus - at the Fort Worth ANA 3/25/10
Since its beginning in 1986, Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) has become synonymous with innovation. Now, in 2010, PCGS makes another quantum leap forward in the form of the new PCGS Secure Plus™ service.
What does PCGS Secure Plus do for your coins? Two extremely important things – it builds confidence (Secure), and adds value (Plus). PCGS Secure Plus achieves these goals with:
- More precise and consistent grading
- Improved detection of altered coins
- Less chance of "gradeflation"
- More likely recovery if a Secure Plus coin is ever lost or stolen
- Increased value of high-end coins within each grade
When PCGS was founded in 1986, we revolutionized the coin market by establishing the first universally recognized coin grading system, changing forever the way rare coins are bought and sold. As the industry standard for third-party certification, we have been entrusted with grading over 19 million coins with a cumulative declared value of over 19 billion dollars (U.S.).
PCGS Founder David Hall emphasizes the critical importance of PCGS Secure Plus: "When PCGS opened in February 1986, we 'flicked a switch' and changed the rare coin market. We've just flicked another switch, and this changes everything. Imagine a world without coin doctoring. Imagine a world without 'gradeflation.' This is the right thing to do."
Consumer Protection Like Never Before
PCGS Secure Plus is a new, patent-pending service we consider to be the industry's most significant advancement in consumer protection since the introduction of third-party grading in 1986.
Released after two years of extensive testing in partnership with Coinsecure, Inc. of Palo Alto, California, the PCGS Secure Plus system digitally captures the unique "fingerprint" of each coin, and enters it into a permanent data base. Neither the coin's appearance nor its grade can be changed without flagging the system. If any previously registered coin has been artificially toned, puttied or processed in some other way in an effort to get a higher grade, it will automatically be detected.
Plus Grades for Added Value
It is a fact of life that high-end coins exist within each grade. Collectors and dealers alike will seek these coins out and pay more for them. The PCGS SecurePlus system is designed to help single out the more desirable high-end coins within a grade. Coins meriting the "+" designation could command a significant premium.
PCGS Secure Plus is offered as a new service. All existing PCGS services will continue to be offered without change except for the Rarities and Ultra Rarities services which will only be offered through PCGS Secure Plus. Initially, PCGS Secure Plus will be offered for Walkthrough, Express and Gold Express service levels for raw coins, regrades and reholders.
Lockdown Security for Your Coins
To increase buyer and seller confidence by maximizing security, coins are laser scanned, imaged and registered in PCGS' database. Each individual coin's unique identifying characteristics are captured by the scan. If a coin has been previously registered in the PCGS Secure Plus system, it will be identified whenever it's again scanned by PCGS.
Since each coin will be registered only once regardless of the number of times it is submitted, duplication of coin information will be eliminated. There will be fewer appearances on the market of the same coin in a different holder. The result is an improved quality of data and a better understanding of rarity.
If a PCGS Secure Plus-certified coin is ever lost or stolen and subsequently resubmitted to PCGS, it can be identified and the recovery process will begin for the rightful owner. And the special Secure Plus holder label has been engineered to fight counterfeiting.
A Huge Plus for the Value of Your Coins
The evolution of the rare coin marketplace has produced significant price gaps between some coins that are only one grade point apart. For example, the PCGS Price Guide lists the suggested retail price of 1825 Capped Bust half dollars graded PCGS MS64 at $3,400, compared to $12,000 for coins graded just one grade higher at MS65.
PCGS Secure Plus allows us to address this discrepancy by using decimal grading in our internal processes. With decimal grading, we are able to identify those coins we believe are superior for a grade both technically and in eye appeal. If PCGS designates a coin as a Plus, it has in our opinion multiple characteristics that place it in the top 10-15% of all coins in its grade. Coins meeting our strict requirements will have a "+" noted on the label.
We believe coins designated with a "+" could trade at a substantial premium over those coins without it. This will be especially apparent for coins where there is a large jump in value between grades. PCGS Secure Plus will help the market recognize the value of coins that are almost, but not quite, deserving of a higher grade.
Plus grading will apply only to grades ranging from XF45 to MS68, with the exception of MS60 and MS61, which will not be eligible for Plus designations.
Making Coin Collecting Safer and Better
PCGS is revolutionizing the rare coin industry – again. We think we've made coin collecting safer and more rewarding for every one in the hobby. Ask about obtaining PCGS Secure Plus for your coins.
