What if grading was a 2 step process?

airplanenut

I was thinking about this today... could it keep out doctored coins?

For example, the coin goes to Grading Room 1, where a numerical grade is assigned. If the coin is obviously damaged/counterfeit then it gets bagged immediately. If not, it goes to Grading Room 2 where there are graders focused specifically on authenticity and originality. By focusing on only one aspect each, the graders don't make rash decisions about whether a coin should be slabbed, because they don't have to worry about grade and originality.

Of course, I realize this would take more time, so no one would ever do it... but what do you think of the idea?

Jeremy

nwcs

From what I understand, this is done already if the originality of a coin was in question. NGC and PCGS both farm out difficult coins to another person.

airplanenut

nwcs- that's only in rare cases- I mean make this the grading standard.

nwcs

The issue would be finding enough authenticators. You wouldn't need this for most coins, though. I think a better 2-stage would be first stage have specialists look at the coin who can ID obvious body bags for cleaning/AT/frosting/etc. and then the ones that pass through them get graded.