How is American Numismatic Rarities for grading raw coins?

oldcameoproofsguy

I've noticed that American Numismatic Rarities has a number of raw coins in their auctions.

I want to bid on a raw coin but it is actually kind of pricey. Are they usually pretty accurate on their grading or has anyone had any bad experiences with them?Link to American Numismatic Rarities

airplanenut

Considering the team they have, I'd assume they're grading is pretty darn good.

MFH

The firm is headed up by Dave Bowers...enough said

tradedollarnut

The people at ANR are the top of the line. But... they represent the consignor.

I would NEVER bid on a raw coin in auction without seeing it first [or having a dealer you trust view it in person]. Think about it - if you bid conservatively because it's raw, you are only going to win it if it's a POS. If you bid aggressively, you take the chance it's almost, but not all there.

I have paid strong prices for raw coins and gotten the grade they deserved..... but never without first hand knowledge of the quality of the coin.

boiler78

Excellent advise TDN.

Barry

I had a bad experience with a raw coin I won at a B&M auction a few years ago (Internet bid). After that, I said I'd never bid on a raw coin again without seeing it first, or having a dealer represent me at the auction. Too bad I didn't read TDN's advice first...

And FWIW, the people at B&M at that time are the current ANR staff.

RYK

No matter how good the photography is, you take a chance when you bid on a raw OR SLABBED auction coin that you, or a trusted representative, has not seen in person. Especially if it is an expensive coin, buck up and get a dealer involved. Frankly, the times that I have asked a dealer representative to help me have saved me a ton of money--by talking me out of bidding on crappy coins (and they get paid zilch when they do this).