The owner of the PCI grading service announced April 7 that it has launched a new numismatic grading and authentication company named Dominion Grading Service or DGS.
?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,? said John Feigenbaum, president of the firm. ?Therefore, we have decided to discontinue the PCI brand in favor of an all-new grading company named Dominion Grading Service.?
Dominion will use the same holder as PCI, but that?s where the similarities end, according to the news release. DGS says its grading will be based on strict standards, such as those found in the grading guide, Photograde, for circulated coins. On Mint State coinage, DGS says it will grade conservatively with a focus on eye appeal, freshness of surfaces (including originality) and marketability.
?The company is a fresh start for us in creating what we hope will be an ideal certification service designed specifically for collector submissions,? said Feigenbaum.
Among the new services DGS will introduce is AuthentiVIEW?. All coins submitted that are valued at more than $100 will be imaged. Anyone will be able to go online, enter a serial number and see an image of the coin in the holder after it was graded.
DGS will have an entirely visual population report on its Web site, www.dominiongrading.com.
?At David Lawrence Rare Coins we?ve had the good fortune to deal personally with thousands of collectors for nearly 30 years,? Feigenbaum said, ?and DGS is a great opportunity to bring that experience to the forefront as we deliver top-level customer service and conservative grading standards.?
DGS is in the final stages of preparing software for processing orders. Submissions are currently being accepted but grading will not start officially until May 1.
DGS customer service can be reached by phone at (800) 277-2646, or via e-mail at service@dominiongrading.com.
