What is most important thing that "the grading services" do for the end user ie the collec

mnmcoin

I had an interesting conversation with a very influential person in the coin industry and it spawned this question. From what I understood him to be saying was that the end user benefits greatest when a coin is conservatively graded (even perhaps undergraded) and while I do think it is great for the collector to get a conservatively graded (PQ!) coin, I personally feel that the end users greater benefit is getting consistant and accurate results...consistant being the key point.

So, I put it to you. I certainly understand that there may be higher benefits that are provided like security and protection for example. But on this particular idealogy, what are your thoughts on the above two matters?

morris <><

paigowjohnny

Consistency, accuracy with a bent toward conservatism and the ANA standard, and authenticity.

Coppernicus

1) Authenticity
2) Grade (reasonably close? +/- 1?)

Mike

Cameo CC

I believe the following:

If you want to make the dealer happy the grading service will make MANY 70 material.

If you want to make the collector happy the grading service will make FEW 70 material.

Todd

LucyBop

the only thing that matters is:

MORE MS66FBL'S FOR ME!

wondercoin

"conservatively graded (even perhaps undergraded"

Morris: Might I suggest to not try to illuminate the comments of your "influential person" in a manner that expands the philopsophy beyond that which is intended. There is a huge difference IMHO with conservative grading within a grading standard and undergrading. These are entirely different concepts IMHO

Wondercoin

ms71

Most important aspect is authenticity/originality. Grading should be consistent, and it's obvious that the more conservative services have risen to the top of the heap.

BillJones

Slabs make coins easier to sell if the time comes for that.

Another benefit that few people consider is that they keep amateurs from cleaning coins and ruining them.

topstuf

Authenticity alone. Regardless of what anyone says, grading ....standards....were CHANGED in the early '80's.

If coins successfully have ANOTHER run comparable to the 1972-1980 lollapalooza, they may well change AGAIN.

It is so discouraging to see a .....crash..... in any market, that it is almost guaranteed to happen again.

Given the same circumstances.

The standards were changed to conceal the FACT that coins took a DRUBBING after such a run.

And 1979 brought many newcomers to the field. Dealers did not want to pay the prices that were in effect at the time. Coin FUNDS sprang up. THEY did not want to tell their clients the truth that coins had TANKED.

I use slabs. For authenticity. I prefer PCGS, NGC, and ANACS. I look at the coins to make decisions. ALL services have bad calls. NO service is CONSISTENT enough that ANYONE can say without reservation that they will or will not put a correct grade on a coin. They will RARELY miss a phony though. The posts on here are indicative of how TENTATIVE many are about buying coins unless they perceive that a certain grade service will apply a HIGHER ...."standard"....and thus give them an edge. Not, mind you, by being CORRECT, but by being TOUGHER. In other words....inconsistent with accepted standards from other services.

This then leaves many in the lurch as to what to do.

But, if one is to collect coins, one SHOULD learn to grade with a certain degree of expertise.

This then brings me back to my PRIMARY reason which is AUTHENTICITY.

Preference for certain services has come down to "who will be more likely to SAY it is such-and-such GRADE to make it easier for me to sell it?"

But that is a question that can only be answered at the time of sale.

Nothing is forever except authenticity.

If Glorpagrade were to buy out Stringentgrade (and everything is for sale) would the name on the plastic mean as much as the fact that it is a REAL coin?

whew....I surrender the soapbox.

09sVDB

Consistant grading(not always the case), long term protection, liquidity.