If you could -- would you buy a TPG?
TonedPeaceNut
Posts: 1,000 ✭
Over lunch this weekend, I had a chance to discuss the sale of ANACs to Anderson Publishing with a rather prominent grader. While on the topic, I started to fantasize about buying a lower end TPG -- perhaps ICG, NTC or maybe SEGS and trying to turn them around into a legitimate player.
I'm not sure how Anderson is going to do with ANACS seeing as how they just lost one of their variety specialist and varieties was a big plus for using ANACS.
I also remember there was a time when a rumor was circulating that a board member might buy SEGS and specialize in toned coins.
While I'm not sure of the sale price of ANACS I would guestimate it was less than $4 million. Not much when you compare it to the value of PCGS and NGC.
Is there room in the market for a niche TPG that specializes in an area the big boys haven't touched yet?
Would you own/buy a TPG and if so, what would you specialize in, knowing that you probably couldn't compete with PCGS or NGC coin for coin?
TPN
I'm not sure how Anderson is going to do with ANACS seeing as how they just lost one of their variety specialist and varieties was a big plus for using ANACS.
I also remember there was a time when a rumor was circulating that a board member might buy SEGS and specialize in toned coins.
While I'm not sure of the sale price of ANACS I would guestimate it was less than $4 million. Not much when you compare it to the value of PCGS and NGC.
Is there room in the market for a niche TPG that specializes in an area the big boys haven't touched yet?
Would you own/buy a TPG and if so, what would you specialize in, knowing that you probably couldn't compete with PCGS or NGC coin for coin?
TPN
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TPN
<< <i>ICG? Lower end? Puleassse. I'm not sure what babble you've listened to >>
Okay -- let me clarify -- any of the non-top 3 TPGs.
TPN
With the other TPGs, new ownership certainly would help them compete with the top 3. You would need to buy in at a good price, and then invest heavily in a new image and new market campaign -- perhaps a new niche, a committment to maintain grading standards as strict and as consistent as the top 3, and probably a well known numismatist and/or former "top 3" grader (Mark Feld??) on the grading/management team.
It could work, or it could be a money pit.
I would like to see it happen. The TPG industry needs more competition!!