NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., — Collectors Universe, Inc.  reported that two of its directors, A. Clinton Allen, Chairman of the Company, and Bruce A. Stevens have completed the requirements for Professional Director Certification from the Corporate Directors Group, which conducts member educational programs accredited by ISS Governance Services.

“Messrs Allen and Stevens’ completion of the Professional Director Certification further demonstrates our strong commitment to upholding sound corporate governance principles,” stated Collectors Universe’s Chief Executive Officer Michael Haynes. “As a matter of policy, we encourage our directors to participate in ISS certified director educational programs such as those offered by the Corporate Directors Group.”

Five other members of the Collectors Universe Board of Directors also are members of the Corporate Directors Group and participate in its ISS certified educational programs. (more…)

NGC has launched a beta version of its expanded online catalog for coins recognized under VarietyPlus™, NGC’s attribution service. Included are descriptive detail photographs, diagnostic cues and general explanatory comments for many of the coin varieties described with a VarietyPlus™ number (e.g. VP-001). The catalog can be seen on NGC’s Web site.

In this catalog, only varieties described with a VarietyPlus™ number have detailed descriptions. This launch corresponds with the completion of the online technical platform, and a series of future content releases are forthcoming. During the beta review period, however, the catalog is available for free to all viewers. Users are also invited to send comments concerning the catalog to NGC’s researchers at varietyplus@ngccoin.com.

VarietyPlus™ includes the most popularly collected and most desirable die-specific coin varieties. For inclusion in VarietyPlus™ and to be attributed by NGC a coin must meet several specific criteria, including the following: (more…)

More than 130 collectors and dealers from around the country attended the Professional Coin Grading Service luncheon at the Florida United Numismatists convention in Orlando, January 11, 2008. Collectors Universe, Inc. President and PCGS co-founder, David Hall, and PCGS President, Ron Guth, discussed the history of coin grading, the possible future of grading, and answered questions from the audience.

Hall emphasized to the audience composed of members of the PCGS Set Registry, PCGS Collectors Club and PCGS authorized dealers, “We seek your input. We seek your help. It’s your grading service.”
Among the topics addressed by Guth and his comments:

• Computerized Grading: “Maybe someday, down the road.”
• Coin Recognition Software: “We are building a digital image database of rare coins.”
• Fractional grades: “MS-61.5? I’m not sure how possible that is.”
• 100-Point Grading Scale: “The 70-point grading system is so entrenched and big, it would be difficult and confusing to convert (to 100 points). It could wreck the market.” (more…)