“There are only four (4) reputable Professional Grading companies that strictly follow the Guidelines set by the ANA, and they are: PCGS, NCG, ICG, and ANACS.”

The fact is, none of the TPG’s, including those listed by the author, come even remotely close to following the grading standards established by the ANA. Proof of this is quite easy, simply compare the written standards of the TPG to those written by the ANA. Pick any coin in any grade and compare the two. The differences in the standards are vast.

It is truly unfortunate, but the author is far from being alone in his beliefs. A great many collectors and dealers alike believe that the the TPG’s follow the grading standards set forth by the ANA – but they do not.

Each and every TPG there is follows their own individual set of grading standards established by them and only them. And that is why there is such a huge discrepancy between coins of the same grade when graded by each of the major TPG’s.