ICG Coin Grading Experience
1. I purchased a coin at an auction which had been graded by ICG (Independent Coin Graders).
2. I believe the coin to be over graded. IGC, as per their web site: icgcoin dot com/the-guarantee/ states per their guarantee:
ICG guarantees that all coins submitted to its grading service will be handled with the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. In addition, all U.S. and Foreign coins graded and encapsulated by ICG are guaranteed to be genuine, unless they are encapsulated in the ICG Educational Slab. Any Customer may resubmit any coin for review of the grade assigned by ICG if such Customer believes that such coin has been over-graded by ICG. If the coin submitted for review by the Customer receives a lower grade under ICG’s internal review practices than the grade originally assigned, ICG shall, at ICG’s option, either (a) replace the coin, or (b) pay any difference between the current fair market value of such coin at the newly established grade and the current market value of the grade originally assigned to such coin. The fair market value shall be determined solely by ICG. From time to time, ICG will receive certain Pedigree Coins, Important Rarities, large quantities of coins, bulk submissions, or coins where the identity of the owner has been well publicized or well known throughout the numismatic community. Although ICG may be able to assume the identity of such owners, ICG reserves the right to grade such coins under ICG’s standard practices. This ICG Guarantee shall not apply to:
any clerical error with respect to the description or grade of the coin;
any coins subjected to improper storage conditions (such as extreme temperature or extreme conditions etc.);
any coins exhibiting environmental deterioration subsequent to certification; that is, after ICG has graded and encapsulated a coin. This deterioration may include, but is not limited to, spotting, hazing, PVC contamination, changes in color, and corrosion;
any copper coins because the color and surfaces can change due to environmental factors, including weather and improper storage; ICG does not guarantee against changes in the color of copper coins, or against copper spotting subsequent to grading and encapsulation by ICG;
any coins not encapsulated by ICG.
3. I am now being told by ICG that the guarantee would not apply to me because I was not the original “customer” who submitted the coin to ICG for grading. Although were I to resubmit the coin to ICG for reevaluation I would be the customer, hence my confusion.
4. Had I known this I would not have purchased the coin in the first place. Perhaps a line on their “ICG Guarantee shall not apply to ….” [anyone who is not the original submitter of the coin for grading] on their web site might help?
5. And in closing, this would appear to be the opposite of what I am being told - that the guarantee doesn't apply if I was not the original submitter of the coin to be graded:
"Fred Pilanski
5 reviews
a year ago
Just bought a 300$ coin 1934 wlh 65 plus took it to coin dealer said way overrated no eye appeal. Front looks bad the back great offered me 75$ . I pissed
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Response from the owner a year ago
I am very sorry to hear about your experience. If you can email customersatisfaction at icgcoin dot com, I can arrange for you to send it in for review under our ICG guarantee. I’d love the opportunity to make this right for you. "
June 11, 2025
Unprompted review