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Who Are the Best Graders in the Business?

This question came to mind for me when Miles Standish was mentioned in the thread about ANACS. Other than the people who work at the major grading services as professional graders, which other people are considered excellent graders who do not work for a grading company full time? To the dealers who may know, which dealers are considered to have comparable abilities in grading coins to the folks who do it full time? Some imput from the people in the know would be entertaining.

Comments

  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
    jh at heritage


  • << <i>jh at heritage >>



    jh? Who is that?
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
    jim halperin at heritage
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭
    Jim Halperin
    Ryan Carroll
    Lee Abramson
    Dan Rattner
    David Schweitz
    Bill Shamhart
    Loren Barnett
    Jason Carter
    Chris Napolitano
    Jeff Garrett
    Ken Park

    Those are a few dealers who are considered some of the best graders in the business who do not work as a full time grader.
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • michaelmichael Posts: 9,524 ✭✭✭
    Chris Napolitano
    Jeff Garrett
    tradedollarnut

    image
  • Jim Fairfield

    Have a Great Day!
    Louis
  • relayerrelayer Posts: 10,570

    Michael-

    You got any evidence to back up your statement? image
    image
    My posts viewed image times
    since 8/1/6
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You got any evidence to back up your statement?

    Yeah, there's evidence that I can grade my way out of a wet paper bag ... but certainly not near the level of those other gentlemen. image

    First World Series of Grading Results

    Second World Series of Grading Results
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,624 ✭✭✭✭✭
    <---- Joe Pflug image

    P.S. I am too busy to run for president, so please do not write me in !
  • LucyBopLucyBop Posts: 14,001 ✭✭✭
    MadMarty...

    imageimage
    imageBe Bop A Lula!!
    "Senorita HepKitty"
    "I want a real cool Kitty from Hepcat City, to stay in step with me" - Bill Carter
  • Dale Williams beats anybody listed so far. Hands down.



    Jerry
  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,750 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>MadMarty...

    imageimage >>




    He used to consistently get those AU-58's but I hear tell he's off his game a little.
    tempus fugit extra philosophiam.
  • ERER Posts: 7,345


    << <i>Michael-

    You got any evidence to back up your statement? image >>



    image
  • RussRuss Posts: 48,514 ✭✭✭
    Mark Feld is pretty damned good.

    Russ, NCNE
  • BigEBigE Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭
    I say best all around would be Tradedollarnut because he gives his winnings to the Young Numismatistsimage-------------BigE
    I'm glad I am a Tree
  • curlycurly Posts: 2,880
    I dealt with Dale Williams back in the 70s when he was in Dayton, Ohio. He has a very good eye. He never pushed anything on you either, he didn't have to, his coins spoke for themselves.
    Every man is a self made man.
  • GOLDGUYGOLDGUY Posts: 253 ✭✭
    WTCG posted a solid group. I would also include Jack Hertzberg, Kenny Duncan, John Albanese and Steve Slater.
    Todd L. Imhof
    Partner / Executive VP
    Heritage Auctions
  • dbldie55dbldie55 Posts: 7,742 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Dale Williams beats anybody listed so far. Hands down.



    Jerry >>



    Dale will pleased to hear this. I will tell him at lunch today.
    Collector and Researcher of Liberty Head Nickels. ANA LM-6053
  • John Maben aint to shabby.

  • ERER Posts: 7,345
    I do believe I am.
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,160 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tradedollarnut:



    << <i>Yeah, there's evidence that I can grade my way out of a wet paper bag >>



    Yea, what about a DRY paper bag?image
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • saintgurusaintguru Posts: 7,727 ✭✭✭
    For gold, Doug Winter.
    image


  • << <i>John Maben aint to shabby. >>



    John Maben helped me on a 1893-S Morgan. I'll never forget and also think the world of him too. Same for Mark Feld. I have also had help from several Dealers who post on the board here...Laura, Julian, and Dennis of Jade Rare Coin.

    There is one person on the boards who has looked at a fair amount of coins for me that I would highly recommend. And that's Darin Whittaker from NH. Not only does Darin know what's going on, he's just a all around pleasant person to deal with.

    Dale Williams still hands down.



    Jerry
  • orieorie Posts: 998
    In the past year there was a super rare gold coin to authenticate and grade. PCGS ask 2 outside people to take a look. Jeff Garrett was number one.
  • Dennis88Dennis88 Posts: 5,797 ✭✭✭
    When you only count people from the Netherlands, I would probably be one of the best US gradersimage. Nobody grades like us here in the Netherlands, so that would be a safe guessimage

    AU-55 coins are often advertized as VF!!!

    Dennis
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Jim Halperin
    Ryan Carroll
    Lee Abramson
    Dan Rattner
    David Schweitz
    Bill Shamhart
    Loren Barnett
    Jason Carter
    Chris Napolitano
    Jeff Garrett
    Ken Park

    Those are a few dealers who are considered some of the best graders in the business who do not work as a full time grader. >>

    Quite an impressive list. Would you mind also listing the names of their coin businesses?
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • LongacreLongacre Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
    I hear that Feld guy is pretty good.
    Always took candy from strangers
    Didn't wanna get me no trade
    Never want to be like papa
    Working for the boss every night and day
    --"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
  • orevilleoreville Posts: 12,160 ✭✭✭✭✭
    What is more important than working with the best graders in the business as a collector is finding dealers who completely understand and is attuned to your personal grading standards and can communicate with you as to the pluses and minuses of each coin.

    A great grading dealer is one that will reject the majority of coins in their inventory for your purchase due to their knowledge of your keen discrimination on the quality of coins you like.

    This is not to pump up certain dealers as the expense of others.

    As far as collectors, I was impressed with Martin Logies understanding of the grading of early silver dollars and tradedollarnut grading of large silver coins in general.

    Instead of just repeating the names already mentioned by others, I would like to include some additional and add comments on some already mentioened:

    mark feld - as a dealer and ex NGC grader, he teaches grading as well as he grades, a rare combination.
    micheal - he REALLLY knows his silver proofs of the 19th century. Also solid on business strikes.
    seth - he amazes me with his young "eye" on nearly everything.
    monsterman - incredible understanding of grading - I am surprised more NFL football players did not follow his footsteps!
    akers & winters - The best in gold. Period.
    saintguru - already on the path to be the next generation top grader in $20 gold after akers & winters retire
    roadrunner- probably the most underrated grader around! I seek his counsel a LOT!

    Many others come to mind but I have not seen them grade coins first hand, to say so for sure.

    There are many others too but these come to mind in a quick post.
    A Collectors Universe poster since 1997!
  • WTCGWTCG Posts: 8,940 ✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Jim Halperin
    Ryan Carroll
    Lee Abramson
    Dan Rattner
    David Schweitz
    Bill Shamhart
    Loren Barnett
    Jason Carter
    Chris Napolitano
    Jeff Garrett
    Ken Park

    Those are a few dealers who are considered some of the best graders in the business who do not work as a full time grader. >>

    Quite an impressive list. Would you mind also listing the names of their coin businesses? >>



    Jim Halperin, Ryan Carroll, Lee Abramson - Heritage
    Bill Shamhart - Keystone Rare Coins
    Jason Carter - Carter Numismatics
    Chris Napolitano - Summit Rare Coins
    Jeff Garrett - MidAmerica Rare Coins
    Loren Barnett - Barnett Rarities
    Dan Rattner, David Schweitz and Ken Park work for themselves.

    Also worth honorable mention:
    Richard Melamed
    Michael Storeim
    Jack Hertzberg
    John Maben
    Bob and Dan Avena
    Brian Hendelson
    Charles Browne
    Mary Sauvain
    Follow me on Twitter @wtcgroup
    Authorized dealer for PCGS, PCGS Currency, NGC, NCS, PMG, CAC. Member of the PNG, ANA. Member dealer of CoinPlex and CCE/FACTS as "CH5"
  • mozinmozin Posts: 8,755 ✭✭✭
    Thanks WTCG.
    I collect Capped Bust series by variety in PCGS AU/MS grades.
  • airplanenutairplanenut Posts: 22,409 ✭✭✭✭✭
    let's not forget Relayer image


    I'll give my plug to Mark Feld and John Maben... I've seen both at work on the battlefield image
    JK Coin Photography - eBay Consignments | High Quality Photos | LOW Prices | 20% of Consignment Proceeds Go to Pancreatic Cancer Research
  • TorinoCobra71TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,063 ✭✭✭
    Dale L. Williams......

    TorinoCobra71

    image
  • tradedollarnuttradedollarnut Posts: 20,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yea, what about a DRY paper bag?

    Sure - if it's a Seated or Trade dollar. image
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let's not forget our own Andrew Lustig too. I had dealings with David Carr (DVRC) and he's pretty darn good
    all around....and not as well known as that list since he doesn't do auctions.

    Also bashed heads with Eric Streiner and Martin Paul oh soo often at auction in 1988-1990. Those guys are
    good too. Eric made some of the best kills ever recorded in that early market. Many of the first gen PCGS and
    NGC graders don't get much press today but probably all of them are still worthy to be added to that list.
    But no doubt, that list is the cream of the crop.

    Thanks for the plug Oreville but unlike TDN, I'm still trying to figure out which way is up in my paper bag.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • capecape Posts: 1,621
    ex graders , warren mills and charlie brown. dealers mike prince and larry whitlow
    ed rodrigues
  • leothelyonleothelyon Posts: 8,492 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Let's see? image There's ME and there's MYSELF and let's not forget the little guy, and I.

    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • I noticed that three of the people named are from Heritage, which would then explain their success with grading results. The other people considered great graders are folks who I haven't heard of. Are most of those others dealers who only deal within the dealers or do they come in contact with the public?

    How about companies such as Superior or Rare Coin Wholesalers or Bowers and Merena...do they have former graders on their staff?
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Since you mention Superior you would probably have to toss in Sylvano Degenova...and how about Kevin Lipton? You have to figure that as the former Presidential Review Officer at PCGS that David Hall is on this list somewhere. Also John Dannreuther and Lee Bellisario are also worthy.

    roadrunner
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • hmmmm, how about the ones who work for the TPG's image

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