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Grading Standards

The Grading Process

We at C.G.C. strive to assemble the highest quality of graders in the industry with impeccable reputations, each specializing in their own area. As submissions arrive the notes are placed into a Grading Tray, which is assigned a tray number (as well as the submission invoice which is then separated from the notes).
Each tray or box only contains the notes from one specific owner. The notes are then dispersed to perhaps one or several graders to align the note type with the specific expertise of a grader. The grader may use one or a multitude of methods in discerning the notes grade including: computer technology, magnification, the testing of paper quality and embossing tests. As a final check point, most note grades are then reaffirmed by a second grader before a Final grade is assigned.
In a large majority of the cases, the graders have absolutely no idea who's notes they're grading. The graded notes are then entered into the computer (to print the grading tab, for the population reports & recordation purposes). Now that the Grading process is complete, one more area of research is explored.
Through our existing data bank, C.G.C. searches for the note by serial # to see if it has been recorded in the past, and if so, at what grade. This method of research was contrived as a triple check point in attempt to detect any other possibilities of note enhancement or processing of a note. It doesn't necessarily mean that if a cataloger graded a note AU five years ago, that they graded the note accurately, but it does give CGC an additional check point to dig deeper into the note's past if deemed necessary.
Finally, the note (after its discriminate review and analysis) then goes in for the final stage - encapsulation!

Determining the Grade

In discerning the grade of a note, which will always have some aspect of subjectivity to it. Our graders view each note and align the grade with the current marketplace; which obviously, throughout the years may have changes, in efforts to maintain the criteria's alignment with the current marketplace. Grading criteria's obviously can vary from note type to note type, further drawing on the specialized expertise of each grader. * It's imperative to remember that vast differences between note types and even the sub-categories of each type. As an example: Portholes, Chiefs, Bison generally all have very thin top/bottom margins. And there is a paucity of even margins on these notes. In Fractionals the Justice notes (due to the sheet lay-outs) normally have very tight margins. MPC's (rarely seen in Gem (almost never on the Replacement issues) have nice margins but are often off centered. Again, each note type carries with it (through history) its own idiosyncrasies (such as Fractionals being hand cut) that must be kept at the forefront when determining a notes overall grade.

CROSS-OVERS

Before C.G.C. removes a note from another grading service's holder a vast amount of research will go into re-grading the note as much as possible. First, the note will be researched through the C.G.C. Population report's data base to preview the history of the note (previewing any previously determined grades, etc.). Secondly, the note will be examined as diligently as possible through the plastic (margins, centering, etc…) to determine if the note would sustain the currently assigned grade. Then, if the note meets the above criterias, and only then, the note will be removed and fully examined. C.G.C. will not guarantee or even make an implied opinion as to whether the note will sustain its current grade and is not liable for any lost value if a note's grade drops. Every effort will be made prior to "cracking out" a note to determine if a note can sustain it's current grade. If the determination is made prior to removing the note from a holder that it's unable to "hold" or improve the grade, then the note will NOT be removed and it will be returned to the submitter. The grading fee may be reduced.