Dominion Grading Service (DGS) is Formally Launched

PCI Brand Name is Discontinued, but Holder will be used for DGS Slabs

Virginia Beach, VA. The owner of the PCI grading service announced today that they have launched a new numismatic grading and authentication company named Dominion Grading Service, or DGS.Dominion Grading Service

John Feigenbaum, President, stated today that “we had initially planned to keep the PCI brand name, but we quickly realized that it would be impossible to overcome the confusion that would ensue as we endeavor to recalibrate the [PCI] grading standards. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue the PCI brand in favor of an all-new grading company named Dominion Grading Service.“

Dominion will be using the same holder as PCI, but that’s where the similarities end. DGS grading will be based on strict standards (i.e. Photograde, for circulated coins). On mint state coinage, DGS will grade conservatively with a focus on eye appeal, freshness of surfaces (including originality) and marketability.

Feigenbaum continued, “The Company is a fresh start for us in creating what we hope will be an ideal certification service designed specifically for collector submissions. We are not looking for bulk submitters in the trade. At David Lawrence Rare Coins, we’ve had the good fortune to deal personally with thousands of collectors for nearly 30 years…and DGS is a great opportunity to bring that experience to the forefront as we deliver top-level customer service and conservative grading standards. We also want to personalize the relationship by adding innovative services, the same way we’ve done at David Lawrence and DLRC Auctions.”

DGS is currently in the final stages of preparing software for processing orders. Submissions are currently being accepted but grading will not start officially until May 1. Orders will be processed in the order received.

Some of the innovative concepts at DGS are:

AuthentiVIEW1. AuthentiVIEW ™: DGS is introducing a new service called AuthentiVIEW ™ which is integral to the submission process. All coins submitted above the “Budget” tier (i.e. valued above $100) will be imaged — this image will serve as an authentication tool for any DGS certified coin. Anyone will be able to go online, enter a serial # and see an image of the coin in the holder after it was graded.

2. Visual Population Report: DGS will be the first grading service to have an entirely visual population report on our web site. Users who wish to look up populations will be able to see the AuthentiVIEW images of all the coins graded. Feigenbaum states, “We anticipate this to be a useful tool for all numismatists. Just imagine the ability to see every 1901-S quarter we’ve certified; or a more common coin like the 1933-S Walker. This visual archive will be available to everyone.” The Visual Population Report will be available as soon as 1000 coins have been graded.

3. Net Grading of Problem Coins: Coins that have been cleaned, repaired, or damaged in any way will be slabbed in the same holder and label as undamaged coins, but the holder will describe the problem without “net grading the coin”. Coins will not be double-punished. The actual best determination of grade will be stated along with the notation of the problem. For example a coin may be described as: DGS AU55: Lightly Cleaned, Reverse scratches. According to Feigenbaum, “most coins are not perfect or original and it’s a shame not to have them in holders.”

4. Easy and Informative Web Site: DGS has crafted a new web site (www.dominiongrading.com) with easy access to submission forms, fee structures and AuthentiVIEW images. Submitters will receive email notification upon receipt of all incoming submissions and updates as coins go through the submission process.

Submitters are encouraged to visit the company web site at www.dominiongrading.com for answers to most questions, as well as online submission forms. You may call Dominion customer service toll-free at (800) 277-2646, or via email at service@dominiongrading.com.
Media Contact:

John Feigenbaum, President
1-800-776-0560 x104
email: info@dominiongrading.com

Kim Ludwig, Marketing
1-800-776-0560 x106
email: kim@davidlawrence.com

Dominion Grading Service
PO Box 2388
Virginia Beach, VA 23450-2388
Toll Free: 1-800-277-2646
Fax: 888-719-9739
www.dominiongrading.com
email: info@dominiongrading.com

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About the Author

Dominion Grading Service is a new numismatic grading and authentication company (April 2008) DGS grading will be based on strict standards (i.e. Photograde, for circulated coins). On mint state coinage, DGS will grade conservatively with a focus on eye appeal, freshness of surfaces (including originality) and marketability. Only DGS offers AuthentiVIEW™ -- our trademarked Internet service that allows anyone to verify the actual holder and its contents of every coin (over $100 in insured value) that we've certified since day 1!

RSS Feed for This Post3 Comment(s)

  1. ray robson | Apr 28, 2008 | Reply

    HI, IT’S GREAT TO SEE SOME COMPITITION IN THIS ROTTEN COIN MARKET, I HAVE HAD COINS GRADED BY PCGS AND NGC, THERE GRADING IS THE MOST INCONSISTANT GRADING I HAVE EVER SEEN # 1 THERE GRADING STOPS AT 66 AND MOST 66 COINS ARE GRADED 65 TO STOP THE REALLY GREAT COINS FROM RUENING THE ALLREADY HIGH GRADES FROM FALLING IN PRICE I HAVE COINS THAT MY FAUTHER BOUGHT IN THE 30s IN ROLLS THAT HAVE EVER SEEN HANDS EXCEPT FOR MINE AND THEY GRADED THEM 64 AS THERE WAS A MINUTE PIT IN THE NOSE, THIS IS CRAZY THE COIN COULD HAVE BEEN STAMPED LIKE THAT, I HAV MANY MORE THAT I BOUGHT IN THE 70s THAT WERE IN ORIGINAL ROLLS AND NEVER TOUCHED EXCEPT WITH GLOVES AND THEY GRADED THEM 64 65 THEY WERE PL AMD DMPL AND THAT WAS NOT EVEN PUT ON THE GRADING. I HAVE A FEW PCI GRADED COINS AND THEY WERE MUCH MORE CONSISTANT THAN EATHER PCGS OR NGC, NGC IS GETTING JUST LIKE PCGS WITH THERE NOSES IN THE AIR AND WON’T EVEN LISTEN TO WHAT THE CUSTOMER SAYS. I KNOW DAVID HALL FROM THE 70s AND HE IS A STUCKUP SNOB, I BET HIS COINS GET THAT 66-67 STATIS. I HAVE LOOKED AT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COINS AND KNOW THE GEMS FROM THE JUNK, REMEMBER THERE ARE NO MORE BEING MADE SO SMALL HORDS ARE STILL OUT THERE. HOPE YOU WORK WITH THE PUBLIC AND TAKE ENOUGH TIME TO LISTEN TO THEM, COMUNICATION IS A MUST WOULD NEVER GO BACK TO EATHER PCGS NOR NGC AGAIN I HOPE YOU GIVE THEM A RUN FOR THERE MONEY GOOD LUCK AND WILL BE WATCHING ON YOUR GRADING PROCESS AND THE CONSISTANCY OF YOUR GRADING HOPE TO DO BUSINESS AT SOME POINT, THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EBAY BUYERS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN TO THE CLEANERS FOR SURE THE BEST OF LUCK AND HOPE YOU DO IT DIFFERENT THAN THE 2 OTHER IDIOTS HAVE DONE, HAVE A GREAT DAY, RAY

  2. john roche | Jan 12, 2009 | Reply

    Im a collector/ retailer with decades of experience and was waiting for the low quality capitolists to counterfiet top tier holders.China has no enforceable laws against counterfieting US coins or top tier holders (PCGS) especially.This is frightening to those who have valuable collections as counterfieting can/will impact coin values. All these NO NAME coin slabbers are not much better than the counterfieters.They proceed with the same motives.Something for nothing!! Also,most bottom tier slabbers are coin dealers/doctors themselves!!! Read up on how to spot counterfiet PCGS and NGC holders and dont buy online or sight unseen. Bottom tier slabbers know thier grades wont fool the seasoned collector.The aim is the novice or the beginner to the hobby. Example: Take a common date Morgan dollar certified by NGC/PCGS/ANACS, average asking price is about $150 at MS65. You can find many no name slabs on eBay with lofty grades as MS66PL for example.I am holding one right now!! 1880-s graded MS66PL by NTC (thier holders come apart easily im told) This carries a high end retail value of $650. This coin has light scattered contact marks/ scuffs (MS64 ish) It is short of PL as well.Good eye appeal but a $68 average asking price at MS64!!! So you see,the implied value by NTC is about 10x its actual grade/value. NGC and PCGS have integrity.They dont employ coin doctors, graders NEVER knows who’s coins they’re grading,have extensive library of graded coins to maintain consistency. The only hope for PCI,NTC,NNC and the rest is to overgrade for a price to attract dealers with tons of coin not worth the cost of certifying.All the while knowing thier grading isnt fooling the seasoned collector. Businesses of all kinds do this!! Cut-throat prices,cheap immitation quality. PCI and the rest, LIQUIDATE and get a respectable job. You wont need to hide behind words like “subjective opinion” any longer. You all know i’m right and you’ll feel better about yourselves in the long run. Tip your hats to NGC PCGS and ANACS and get jobs that do not require skillful dishonesty. JR

  3. john roche | Jan 12, 2009 | Reply

    Sounds like you want to negotiate with the graders by encouraging communication. Bottom tier slabbers will listen to you for a price. Some slabbers will assign any grade you ask for!There are hundreds of millions of coins out there not worth the cost of certification.Enter the the bottom tier slabbers!! NGC or PCGS and ANACS NEVER know who’s coins they’re grading.They have no stock in coin values as this is a motive to under/overgrade. The guy who paid 8.3 million for a 1933 St. Gaudens would love to be in the grading rooms to protect his investment by undergrading any/all others!!This will never happen with top tier companies as they have serious rules with teeth im sure.I have a beauty of a large cent.1819 small date graded by ANACS as MS64RB.There are only 10 known at this grade and none higher. Imagine all bottom tier slabbers were accepted as is. There would be thousands of MS64RB’s the next month! My coin would be worth a dinner and a movie the next day!!Get real and look at the big picture before you champion these self serving entrapenuers.They get thier money,your collection will become worthless if these slabbers get what they want. Many coins are far less than perfect just after striking!! A weak strike will not grade over MS63.Coins are shovelled into bags or rolls and accumulate degrading marks the first momments of thier life. Some assume (incorrectly) that coins from BU rolls will always grade high?? NOPE. Coins are not graded on a “curve”.Just because all have some flaws doesnt mean all are MS70! Get your head out of your ass and look at the big picture.These slabbers are NOT on our side!!

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