Greatest Coin Graders in the World!!!

TPRC

Goldbully

JA?

SimonW

Skewed a bit, but I agree with a bunch of these.

4Redisin

Probably should read "Many of the greatest coin graders in the USA."

ldhair

Feld should be on the list as well as Bill Jones.

FlyingAl

John Albanese should be the #1 person on that list.

winesteven

Most of you don’t know this, but our own @FlyingAl is quite special. Currently just a Freshman after graduating High School, in January 2024 at Winter FUN he participated in NGC’s Grading Contest. Not only did he come in First Place regardless of categories of participants, including Dealers, but he had the highest score EVER achieved in all of the years and shows these grading tests were offered!!!!!!

Separately, he’s had two scholarly research articles published in “The Numismatist”, the most recent of which, published in November 2024, was chosen by them to use as their Cover Story!

Again separately, a couple of years ago he saw a coin consigned to a main auction company that Alex knew was miscategorized as a more valuable coin. He notified the auction company, and they pulled the coin and sent it back to the TPG. After a LOT of back-and-forth with Alex providing the TPG with valid evidence, the TPG finally capitulated, and reholdered the coin, whose value then dropped roughly in half or so. Presumably the TPG made good with their guarantee to the owner of that coin.

I’ll put my money on Alex any day of the week!

Steve

MrEureka

@4Redisin said:
Probably should read "Many of the greatest coin graders in the USA."

Of course. There are easily dozens of other people who belong on the list.

Rexford

Graders of what? And how would whoever compiled this list know which names are truly deserving of that title and which names are overhyped?

oreville

This is only part of the list with last names beginning with H through M.

The other page does show John Albanese, and Mark Feld (last names beginning with A to G), I was told that this was a list of the100 top graders. A third page shows graders with last names beginning with N to Z. I recall Laura Sperber and Doug Winters were on the third page.

I asked why one of our well known recent posters was not included on the list. The reponse was that this poster had not been grading long enough to make the list.

I also disagreed as to my inclusion on this list. I might be a decent grader but I felt that I benefited mostly from networking with great grading dealers and collectors. I cannot grade Franklin half dollars to save my life.

coinkat

A through J and N through Z apparently were left out. Not sure what purpose this serves.

HiBucky

The Greatest Coin Graders in the World are the ones that give you the grade you expect.....

oreville

@coinkat said:
A through J and N through Z apparently were left out. Not sure what purpose this serves.

They were not left out. They were just printed on a different page. They were printed on three separate pages.

Copperindian

Is there a member that has the complete list able to link it here?

4Redisin

My issue should me in the mailbox today. I'll enjoy reading the bio of many "Greats" that a small-time collector like me has never heard of.

coinkat

Okay... didn't see the other 2 pages. But that still does not address whether a list as this serves any purpose.

messydesk

This appears to be the "H-M" list. Nevertheless, what's the point?

FlyingAl

@winesteven said:
Most of you don’t know this, but our own @FlyingAl is quite special. Currently just a Freshman after graduating High School, in January 2024 at Winter FUN he participated in NGC’s Grading Contest. Not only did he come in First Place regardless of categories of participants, including Dealers, but he had the highest score EVER achieved in all of the years and shows these grading tests were offered!!!!!!

Separately, he’s had two scholarly research articles published in “The Numismatist”, the most recent of which, published in November 2024, was chosen by them to use as their Cover Story!

Again separately, a couple of years ago he saw a coin consigned to a main auction company that Alex knew was miscategorized as a more valuable coin. He notified the auction company, and they pulled the coin and sent it back to the TPG. After a LOT of back-and-forth with Alex providing the TPG with valid evidence, the TPG finally capitulated, and reholdered the coin, whose value then dropped roughly in half or so. Presumably the TPG made good with their guarantee to the owner of that coin.

I’ll put my money on Alex any day of the week!

Steve

Thanks for the kind words Steve, but I don’t remotely deserve to make that list.

winesteven

@FlyingAl said:

@winesteven said:
Most of you don’t know this, but our own @FlyingAl is quite special. Currently just a Freshman after graduating High School, in January 2024 at Winter FUN he participated in NGC’s Grading Contest. Not only did he come in First Place regardless of categories of participants, including Dealers, but he had the highest score EVER achieved in all of the years and shows these grading tests were offered!!!!!!

Separately, he’s had two scholarly research articles published in “The Numismatist”, the most recent of which, published in November 2024, was chosen by them to use as their Cover Story!

Again separately, a couple of years ago he saw a coin consigned to a main auction company that Alex knew was miscategorized as a more valuable coin. He notified the auction company, and they pulled the coin and sent it back to the TPG. After a LOT of back-and-forth with Alex providing the TPG with valid evidence, the TPG finally capitulated, and reholdered the coin, whose value then dropped roughly in half or so. Presumably the TPG made good with their guarantee to the owner of that coin.

I’ll put my money on Alex any day of the week!

Steve

Thanks for the kind words Steve, but I don’t remotely deserve to make that list.

Ha! Your record speaks for itself!

Steve

4Redisin

Done, Thanks!

lermish

@4Redisin said:
I see that one member has removed the LOL he originally posted concerning that young man who aced the NGC grading test. That's a good move on his part. Now, how can I delete what I wrote above as it no longer applies?

@4Redisin said:
It appears this is the third COIN WORLD ANNUAL "100" list. I hate this kind of list. They tend to expose some jealous, self-promoting, grading "experts-in-their-own-mind" jokers who mistakenly believe they should be on the list.

Given that you have been here for several months now and are the arbiter of all things related to forum culture and etiquette, one would think that you should know how to do these types of things.

Or you could just make it easier on yourself (and everyone else) by trying to write posts that don't need to be deleted. A stretch, I know, but give it a shot.

winesteven

To remove (or just edit) a comment you’ve made @4Redisin, go to the “gear” in the upper right hand corner, and then click on “Edit”. You can then edit anything you want, and when you’re done, click the “Save Comment” blue horizontal bar. To delete your comment, start out the same way as Edit, but then actually delete your entire comment with your Delete button, and place a period in the very first spot, and then click “Save Comment”. The empty rectangle with that period will still show, but all of your words will have been deleted.

Steve

4Redisin

@lermish said:

@4Redisin said:
I see that one member has removed the LOL he originally posted concerning that young man who aced the NGC grading test. That's a good move on his part. Now, how can I delete what I wrote above as it no longer applies?

@4Redisin said:
It appears this is the third COIN WORLD ANNUAL "100" list. I hate this kind of list. They tend to expose some jealous, self-promoting, grading "experts-in-their-own-mind" jokers who mistakenly believe they should be on the list.

Given that you have been here for several months now and are the arbiter of all things related to forum culture and etiquette, one would think that you should know how to do these types of things.

Or you could just make it easier on yourself (and everyone else) by trying to write posts that don't need to be deleted. A stretch, I know, but give it a shot.

Thank you for the good advice. One day I hope to ask you some serious questions about Trade dollars. Unfortunately, as you have done in the past, you have ducked my question about removing a post and replied with your personal opinions about me. I'm not accustomed to this behavior from other collectors.

I'll add that you might also wish to chastise the member of your posse about posting LOL on a post praising the accomplishments of a talented numismatist AND THEN DELETING IT!

PS I don't need to ask how to do that.

MFeld

@lermish said:

@4Redisin said:
I see that one member has removed the LOL he originally posted concerning that young man who aced the NGC grading test. That's a good move on his part. Now, how can I delete what I wrote above as it no longer applies?

@4Redisin said:
It appears this is the third COIN WORLD ANNUAL "100" list. I hate this kind of list. They tend to expose some jealous, self-promoting, grading "experts-in-their-own-mind" jokers who mistakenly believe they should be on the list.

Given that you have been here for several months now and are the arbiter of all things related to forum culture and etiquette, one would think that you should know how to do these types of things.

Or you could just make it easier on yourself (and everyone else) by trying to write posts that don't need to be deleted. A stretch, I know, but give it a shot.

Please give him a break - I mean that, sincerely.

gonzer

Lists such as this remind me of Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 lists. Too many variables to establish rank.

BillJones

That list is made up of highly successful coin dealers which does not necessarily translate to great coin graders. You need the ability to weed out the problem and over graded material for sure, but I’m not sure if that makes you “great.” The list didn’t mention any numismatic scholars who might be as good or better than those on the list.

Thanks for the compliment @ldhair, but I had hit the “LOL” button.

hummingbird_coins

How about we all play guess the grade to find out who's number one?
https://www.mycollect.com/guessthegrade

tradedollarnut

Congrats to George - a nice recognition. I do miss my old 1804 $1 pictures there.

jmlanzaf

@4Redisin said:

@lermish said:

@4Redisin said:
I see that one member has removed the LOL he originally posted concerning that young man who aced the NGC grading test. That's a good move on his part. Now, how can I delete what I wrote above as it no longer applies?

@4Redisin said:
It appears this is the third COIN WORLD ANNUAL "100" list. I hate this kind of list. They tend to expose some jealous, self-promoting, grading "experts-in-their-own-mind" jokers who mistakenly believe they should be on the list.

Given that you have been here for several months now and are the arbiter of all things related to forum culture and etiquette, one would think that you should know how to do these types of things.

Or you could just make it easier on yourself (and everyone else) by trying to write posts that don't need to be deleted. A stretch, I know, but give it a shot.

Thank you for the good advice. One day I hope to ask you some serious questions about Trade dollars. Unfortunately, as you have done in the past, you have ducked my question about removing a post and replied with your personal opinions about me. I'm not accustomed to this behavior from other collectors.

I'll add that you might also wish to chastise the member of your posse about posting LOL on a post praising the accomplishments of a talented numismatist AND THEN DELETING IT!

PS I don't need to ask how to do that.

It's very easy to accidentally leave an LOL when scrolling on your phone.

mr1931S

@hummingbird_coins said:
How about we all play guess the grade to find out who's number one?
https://www.mycollect.com/guessthegrade

Hummingbird_coins #7-----65.2%

duck620

I agree with the post , at one time these were some of the best graders in the coin business.

GAC

@gonzer said:
Lists such as this remind me of Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 lists. Too many variables to establish rank.

Those lists are made to upset the public lol

mr1931S

@GAC said:

@gonzer said:
Lists such as this remind me of Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 lists. Too many variables to establish rank.

Those lists are made to upset the public lol

This 100 greatest coin graders in the world list kind of upsets me.

TomB

@mr1931S said:

@GAC said:

@gonzer said:
Lists such as this remind me of Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 lists. Too many variables to establish rank.

Those lists are made to upset the public lol

This 100 greatest coin graders in the world list kind of upsets me.

How so? To be clear, I haven't seen the list.

KiwiNumi

@winesteven said:
Most of you don’t know this, but our own @FlyingAl is quite special. Currently just a Freshman after graduating High School, in January 2024 at Winter FUN he participated in NGC’s Grading Contest. Not only did he come in First Place regardless of categories of participants, including Dealers, but he had the highest score EVER achieved in all of the years and shows these grading tests were offered!!!!!!

Separately, he’s had two scholarly research articles published in “The Numismatist”, the most recent of which, published in November 2024, was chosen by them to use as their Cover Story!

Again separately, a couple of years ago he saw a coin consigned to a main auction company that Alex knew was miscategorized as a more valuable coin. He notified the auction company, and they pulled the coin and sent it back to the TPG. After a LOT of back-and-forth with Alex providing the TPG with valid evidence, the TPG finally capitulated, and reholdered the coin, whose value then dropped roughly in half or so. Presumably the TPG made good with their guarantee to the owner of that coin.

My final rave about Alex is on what I believe is the greatest of his many cherrypicks (accomplished due to his superior numismatic knowledge and great eye). He bought an NGC 1921 Peace Dollar graded MS62 for just a few hundred dollars, recognizing it as one of the very few 1921 PROOF Peace dollars. He then sent it back to the TPG to have the label corrected to show it’s a Proof 62, not MS.62. Once again, a LOT of back and forth with the TPG, but they too eventually capitulated due to the overwhelming evidence Alex provided, and indeed then holdered it as a Proof 62. Take a look at the market value of a PF62 1921 Peace Dollar!!!

I’ll put my money on Alex any day of the week!

Steve

He's gotta be my favorite user on the site. Such a smart dude and he's really passionate about coins.

Coin Finder

Just not sure about some of them , others I would agree. I know some who are not on the list who should be also…..

mr1931S

@TomB said:

@mr1931S said:

@GAC said:

@gonzer said:
Lists such as this remind me of Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 lists. Too many variables to establish rank.

Those lists are made to upset the public lol

This 100 greatest coin graders in the world list kind of upsets me.

How so? To be clear, I haven't seen the list.

Are coin graders from Europe and Asia on the list? Or is it really the 100 greatest American coin graders with "world" added to give the list more puff?

TomB

Ahhh...okay. I see your point now.

MFeld

@Coin Finder said:
Just not sure about some of them , others I would agree. I know some who are not on the list who should be also…..

How would you actually know? I’d ask just about anyone else the same question.

safari_dude

@FlyingAl said:

………………….

I’ll put my money on Alex any day of the week!

Steve

Thanks for the kind words Steve, but I don’t remotely deserve to make that list.

Alex, you can always tell when someone will achieve much in life…because they never need to brag or boast how good they are, it just shows. You are humble, wise, and have shown your ability to be a world class grader. Keep up the great work and hopefully one day I’ll have the privilege of having you grade some of my coins!
Cheers, karl

EastonCollection

I am thrilled to see that David Sunshine making the list of the 100 Greatest Graders in the World!
Congrats, Dave!

IkesT

@mr1931S said:

@GAC said:

@gonzer said:
Lists such as this remind me of Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 lists. Too many variables to establish rank.

Those lists are made to upset the public lol

This 100 greatest coin graders in the world list kind of upsets me.

How about the harschest coin graders in the world?

logger7

I thought the finalizer at PCGS was Jeff Howard, not "Ron" Howard the film director and former Andy Griffith co-star....https://www.pcgs.com/news/national-coin-week-24-jeff-howard

johnny9434

There all #1, the lot of them 👍

MFeld

@logger7 said:
I thought the finalizer at PCGS was Jeff Howard, not "Ron" Howard the film director and former Andy Griffith co-star....https://www.pcgs.com/news/national-coin-week-24-jeff-howard

I met him in 1979, when I joined Steve Ivy Rare coins. And I’ve always known him as Ron, even though, alas, he’s not the film director and Andy Griffith co-star.😉

KOYNGUY

Greatest coin graders in the world are all in the USA! who knew? A little myopic aren't we?
Many in this list have made money, founded businesses and have great reputations. Maybe at a point in time could tell you what each grading service would grade a coin within a point. Grading is a moving target and a great grader 50 years ago would be lost in todays world.
Does a great numismatist have what it takes to be the best coin grader? It should be the base, but many can hardly be considered great, nor would they likely want the title.
Can you be the best if you only grade silver dollars, commems, gold, copper, or any of the modern minutia coming out today? Many can be considered best for a given period of time. Show me someone who has done it for numerous decades through thick and thin markets.
Will the best coin graders have proficiencies in world, medals tokens, colonial, ancient, medieval, Vams, All U.S. varieties. How can you be the best grader in the world and not know what you are looking at? What are the nuances of strike?, dies? luster?
It takes real brass to put out a list like this. But I guess it's all an opinion, so you might as well praise the people that best promote your agenda. I knew Ed Hipps and I think he passed 10 years ago. If we are including people from the past, I think Eric Newman, John Jay Pittman and others should be considered. Someone needs to update the list if it only for the living.
No doubt many of these people are famous and have made waves in the business at a period in time. I know many of them. They all have their talents and experience, no matter how long ago and in what market period. Who among them has 50 years in the business and is actively using their talents in a profession today. Michael Fahey, Rick Montgomery come to mind.
My list of 'Greatest graders in the world" would be much smaller. J.P.
'

seatedlib3991

i have always found greatest lists usually tell you more about the background and experience of the person making the list than the subject at hand. Case in point was a list of the 100 greatest rock songs of all time put out by Yahoo. Their list contained 1 song by the Beatles and zero songs by Chuck Berry, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, the Who or Led Zepplin. James