January 6, 2011 – After a full week of noteworthy coin submissions during the recent PCGS Paris Grading Week, December 6 – 10, 2010, Professional Coin Grading Service officials are eagerly watching a possible trend developing for the next period of coin submissions at the new Paris, France office, January 17 – 21, 2011. Entire collections are now being submitted for evaluation at one time.
“We’re getting more dealers submitting coins at each grading week in Paris. As a result, more collectors are being represented. In December we saw a great mix of coins from all around the world,” said Don Willis, PCGS President.
“As the Paris grading sessions continue to develop, European dealers and collectors are showing an increasing interest in relying on PCGS grading standards for authenticating and grading entire coin collections as well as individual rare coins. This trend is very quickly adding to the PCGS World Coin Population Report, and will be key in ensuring an even more accurate world coin market in terms of rarity and transparency for the benefit of collectors at large,” said Muriel Eymery, PCGS Director of International Business Development.
Some very important coins were submitted to the PCGS Grading Center in Paris in December including a 1594 Hungary Ducat graded PCGS MS64; 1842-A French two Francs, PCGS MS64; 1881 Philippines four Peso, PCGS AU58; and 1896 Russia 25 Roubles, PR62.
The 1594 Ducat is one of only 300 minted. The submitter, Jean Philippe Creusy of Numisma in Geneva, Switzerland, commented: “I am very happy to have the 1594 Ducat from Hungary graded MS64 by PCGS! The added value of such grading can be substantial, especially for a coin of this period in such a high state of conservancy.”
Eric Palombo of the French auction house Maison Palombo said he was very glad to have the 1842-A two Francs graded by PCGS. “This coin is the only example known so far in such exceptional quality (MS64), and is probably a first strike done for King Louis Philippe I.”
Bruce Tupholme of Collectors Currency in Estoril, Portugal, said there are many benefits for collectors and dealers since PCGS opened a European office.
“We have been grading via PCGS in America for several years, but find it very convenient that you now have a Paris office doing grading during the year. This is more cost-effective for me as I do not have to pay import duties on graded coins. In addition, if I have high-value coins, I can fly to Paris, wait for my coins to be graded and then return to Portugal. This is of great importance to me when dealing with high-value coins,” he explained.
“After being accepted as an Official PCGS Dealer we have sent in submissions to Paris under the exceptional help and guidance of the Paris office director, Muriel Eymery. Her efforts have been exemplary and I cannot speak more highly of how she has helped us overcome numerous hurdles we encountered. Always willing to help, almost 24 hours a day, sometimes I think Muriel never sleeps!” Tupholme stated.
Since 1986, PCGS experts have authenticated, graded and certified over 20 million coins from around the world. These coins have a total declared value of over US$20 billion. PCGS is a division of Collectors Universe, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLCT).
To make an appointment for the next PCGS Paris Grading Week, January 17 -21, or to obtain more information, EU dealers can contact the Paris office at info@PCGSglobal.com or by calling Muriel Eymery at 33 (0) 1 40 20 09 94. Additional information about PCGS is available in English and other languages at www.PCGSglobal.com.