NNC (National Numismatic Certification), is it that bad ?

Hi, my mom gave me an 8 reales Mexican coin for my birthday, the one with rays surrounding a liberty cap (km#377). It was bought in a good numismatic stores where I spend lots of time, and the people here are really nice to me. The coin was certified by NNC, and I didn't know a thing about them, so I did a little research on Internet. Trouble is that they donn't seem to have a good reputation, and that people consider they overgrade, clean ans sell fake coins. Is that really true ? I didn't buy it from them directly, but from a reputable store that, I guess, bought it from a customer and therefore checked it before buying it. But that keeps bugging me, I am afraid that I cannot trust NNC, and that's very sad because I'm attached to that coin. Has anyone here experienced something with them ? Can some of you tell me more about that grading service ? They are in business since 2003 only. What really worries me is that some people on Internet said that the coins were not always genuine.

Regards,

Ginger

Quote: GingerThe coin was certified by NNC, and I didn't know a thing about them, so I did a little research on Internet. Trouble is that they donn't seem to have a good reputation, and that people consider they overgrade, clean ans sell fake coins. Is that really true ? ... What really worries me is that some people on Internet said that the coins were not always genuine.

I have no knowledge or experience of NNC, however, I do have a long and extensive experience of the Internet (and World Wide Web).

In short, be very suspicious of any information that comes from the web. 'Reviews' by supposed members of the public are frequently faked by companies both to promote themselves, and to denegrade competitors. Trolls (mischief makers) also abound.

If you are concerened about the coin given to you, check it carefully yourself. You are obviously quite experienced with coins, and should be able to spot any suspicious characteristics, such as misalignment, indistinct engraving, the smell of metal polish and the like. Beyond that, find another dealer and ask them to check it over (they may wish to charge you for the service, but that's probably fair).

Matt

Thank you. It doesn't smell anything peculiar, and it does not seem to have been cleaned. There are some little scratches, but not like those of cleaned coins, they are too short and too obvious to be hairlines, probably contact marks as the coin is graded AU-50. Anyway, it seems that slabbed coins, wherever they are from, are considered to be overgraded in many instances. I didn't buy it from them, and the store where my mom bought it has a fine reputation, and when there is a problem with a coin, they clearly write in red ink (I saw a Newfoundland 50 cent coin in flips that was very valuable, but they reduced the price because it was cleaned, so I know they are honnest because that coin ranks in the 300 $, and they accept to have less profit on it because of its condition), and they carefully check when someone try to sell them things, and when there's a problem, they give a discount on it. That 8 reales was discounted too because it was in the store since a few months. The only thing is that I think they overgraded it a little bit, and the weight seems ok, now that I found the weight of the slab.

Regards,

Ginger

My gut feeling is you should be confident in the coin. If it was bought from a trusted dealer, which you say it was, then irrespective of any bad press surrounding the third-party grading certificate I should be confident in it.

I don't pay any mind to grades claimed by other people, if I think a coin is junk then no certifacate is going to tell me different  

Matt

i always wonder about n.n.c. too?lol on coin

you might check that 8 reales coin for details and compare with images from catalogs.
This sounds odd I know - but most of the counterfeits are easily recognized when you take your time.
I often come across them when looking for coins at local flea markets.
last week I spotted some 1882 Zs coins that first were meant to be sold for 40€ each.
after taking a closer look the prize fell to 20€ then to 5€   
talking about trustworthy dealers there.  
details differed a lot in the cactus plant (coat of arms) and all of them missed the * at the legend.

Some time ago I was "tricked" to buy a morgan dollar - with a mintage year that never existed - as
I found out later    

 what year was that???

1947 !!!

1921 was last year. where did you get from???

I looked at it tonight, and I can't find another on Internet exactly the same as I have ! I know there are lots of varieties, but even so it doesen't look like the pictures I saw. I'm really worried now   . And it seems that the weight is 1 less gr than it should be   .

The star is at the beginning of the legend, but has 6 branches in lieu of 5 !

"flea market counterfeits" I would call them. and yes - they always have a variety of mexican reales,
morgan dollars, George VI shillings and JFK Halfdollars. Supposedly all fake coins with an invaluable
metal core - but I never took the saw to check my morgan dollar counterfeit.  

Good grief, I've just found an 8 reales 1841-ZSOM just like mine ! What a relief, I finalyy found one (it's high time I found some ) ! Here's the pictures, and it doesn't seem to be a forgery. 1841-ZSOM

if its a fake they did a good job!

Lolllll where do you find these funny pictures HAHAHA . Besides, the weight is 27,07 (say 27), and mine is roughly 26,5 gr, which is acceptable.

I know NNC very well. They are a company that grades coins. of course you can see on their website,if it is still up,that they do grade coins that have had cleanings. their grading is not up to par compared to the "professional" million dollar companies. they rarely grade fake coins,as they do want to build a decent reputation. There is a good possibility that they are over graded,but not by much. but it could be a substantial amount for costs.in the dealer world,if a dealer is selling NNC graded coins for the book value they are not really a place to be trustworthy. I like their holders,they are simple,and you can have coins sealed for like 8 bucks or something.so preserving a coin in a professional looking holder for cheap is a plus. chances are you did overpay for them,but the good news is.most likely you will keep them for a very long time,and will get your money out of them in the long run. what really matters is,that you enjoy them. that is the most important factor.

you will have to understanding grading a coin,how to,and then will you possess the power to be able to identify a dealer that is trying to really take advantage of you.the only coins graded you can buy and guarantee that the grade is as close to actual grade,is the PCGS & NGC they guarantee their grade so well,that they will buy the coin back if over graded. ANACS & ICG may vary about 1-2 points in grade,but relatively very close.remember it is all done by human eyes,and they do make mistakes.

before spending more than 50$ you should take the time to learn to grade coins properly. even the 30$ mark you should know how to grade if your buying more than a couple. in time even you can recover some of your money,the true goal is to make money in the long run.

So if you enjoy your coins,even with a grading company that does not have the absolute best reputation,if you did not totally give an arm and a leg for them,and you are happy,that is all that matters.

Hi, I finally found pictures showing an 8 reales just like mine, so I don't worry anymore. I was also worried that my coins did not have the right weight, but it was because I didn't use the scale correctly, now I know how it works. I really think it was a bit overgraded, but the utmost important thing to me is that the coin is genuine, that was what scared me the most. Thank you for your extra info, just2vicarious.

yea!!!