You are welcome to be a "stickler" all you want - I know that AU and UNC, and VF are all grades. And, I also know, that some grading companies grade cleaned coins.
Some do it with numbers, some do it with "codes" - but, there are still some that do it. Just because you have not seen it - or their website says they don't - doesn't mean they don't.
Also - just as an aside - some companies HAVE changed their policies, so you can sometimes get an older "slabbed and graded" coin from a known
grader, when, they would not do it now. (though, I cannot see where I said any or all of the "big 3" in my statement).
But, did you know that NCG actually USES a cleaning service? NCS to be exact.
Also, in regards to PCGS in particular - they DO body-bag - but it is for coins with what they consider MAJOR problems.
PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)
800-447-8848
* PCGS-graded coins have highest retail value of any grading company, according to the Coin Dealer Newsletter.
* Along with NGC, rated "superior" in a 2004 survey of PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) and ICTA (Industry Council for Tangible Assets) members in terms of grading accuracy and ability to detect altered, repaired, damaged, cleaned, and counterfeit coins. Along with NGC, rated "superior" in a 2006 PNG survey (no service was rated "outstanding").
* Rated the least consistent service of eight major services (others were NGC, ANACS, ICG, SEGS, PCI, ACG, and NTC) in a 2003 study by Coin World. PCGS's lack of consistency may be deliberate or not, but it has the effect of encouraging repeat submissions of the same coin, which generate more revenue for it.
* Coins in older slabs generally graded more conservatively and worth more. Newest PCGS slabs have blue label; green label older; dot-matrix printed label older still. Detailed breakdown with approximate dates:
3/02-date: Light blue label, with barcode, with coin and series numbers
1/99-2/02: Light blue label, no barcode, with coin and series number
11/98-12/98: Light blue label, no barcode, no coin and series numbers
Mid 1995-11/98: Green label, serial number starts at right of left edge of barcode
1/90-mid 1995: Green (yellow through blue), label serial number starts at left of left edge of barcode
11/89-12/89: Slab within frame, doily label
9/89-11/89: Slab within frame, off-white label
1986-9/89: Small slabs
* Net grades (lowers a coin's grade for minor problems) but does not note it on the holder.
* Bodybags (doesn't grade) problem coins (major problems) -- no refund of fee.
* With regular service, coins are initially graded by two graders independent of one another. If there's disagreement, a third grader grades the coin. If the third grader agrees with one of the other two graders, the coin receives that grade. If not, sometimes the grading is averaged, sometimes the graders reevaluate the coin. After these initial evaluations, the grading of the coin-in-slab is verified. Between 2% and 4% of coins are regraded at this point. A final verification ensures that slab insert information is correct.
* Charges $30 for pre-1970 coins for 30-day turnaround, plus shipping and insurance.
* You can submit coins to be graded through one of its authorized dealers or by joining the PCGS Collectors Club.
* Guarantee: PCGS, unlike NGC, ANACS, ICG, and SEGS, is not specific about its guarantee at its Web site. On the phone, a customer service rep said if you buy a PCGS-graded coin and feel PCGS overgraded it, you can submit it to PCGS for re-examination. Unlike with NGC and ICG, however, you're charged the regular grading fee for this re-examination. If PCGS determines that the actual grade is lower than the grade on the slab, it will work with you, either paying you the difference between the fair market value of the coin at the re-examination grade and the fair market value at the grade originally assigned by PCGS or buying the coin outright from you.
ANACS website FAQ:
Does ANACS certify “problem coins”?
Yes. ANACS is the first major grading service to grade cleaned, corroded, damaged, repaired, and other "problem coins". Label's display a coin’s "detail grade" and the coin’s corresponding problem(s). “Details” Graded coins are not eligible for the ANACS Guarantee.
Beth