Numerical grades on slabs are just numbers assigned, meaningless to me. I look at the coin in the slab, regardless if it says AU or MS65, it all comes down to if I find it attractive enough to buy for my collection? I should be able to tell on my own if the coin has been tampered with?
The price sheets come out, the dealer looks at the label, looks at the sheet and gives me a price, I made my decision to buy the coin based on the merits of the coin, cleaned, original, toned, bright white, and on and on. I could actually care less if the grading service favors cleaned coins, original surfaces or whatever, the bottom line is do I like it, and will I pay the price that is associated with that label regardless if the label is correct in my mind or not?
Slabs are perfect for getting the coin home safe, they should be cracked shortly thereafter. And if I should discover that twenty years down the road the politics of grading coins has changed and my MS65 is now AU, well that's the price I paid to enjoy the coin for twenty years.
Comments
The price sheets come out, the dealer looks at the label, looks at the sheet and gives me a price, I made my decision to buy the coin based on the merits of the coin, cleaned, original, toned, bright white, and on and on. I could actually care less if the grading service favors cleaned coins, original surfaces or whatever, the bottom line is do I like it, and will I pay the price that is associated with that label regardless if the label is correct in my mind or not?
Slabs are perfect for getting the coin home safe, they should be cracked shortly thereafter. And if I should discover that twenty years down the road the politics of grading coins has changed and my MS65 is now AU, well that's the price I paid to enjoy the coin for twenty years.