Grading Service product?

Whitby

OK, so here I am, the collector who comes back to the hobby after just over a decade. I see grading services, phrases like eye luster or appeal (this works in the sense of eye humping the ladies, but coins??), grading service, authenticity etc etc etc. In short, I feel kind of totally lost or at a disconnect with the hobby. Whaqt is wrong with finding cool raw coinsd or for that matter buying other cool raw coins from the lovcal shop? Secondly, I have started to get my proof sets out, all with their COAs, all in their original packaging and if I see this right, I COULD, crack the coins out, get them rated by a grading service and then have a "higher valued" set or for that matter, individual coins. Is this creating false value? In other words, if a third party has the cloout to say, oh no, or oh yes your coins are great or they suck, despite being in their original holders etc etc, I dont know about you folks but it seems a bit manufactured, in a truly non market sense. At least , IMO

The only thing I have done, is rely on a grading service that by and large has as many detractors as it does supporters to create a more or less valuable coin. I thought other collectors and the marker were supposed to do that for me???? What have I missed?

A caveat, if you want to inform me about market trends and the world market today, dont, I have a Masters in the field and would rather hear the opinion of others who collect.

thezookrew

I agree 100% with your take on proof sets. I started getting back into collecting with the birth of my kids and the launch of the state quarter program. I would NEVER consider breaking open those sets to send the quarters in for grading!! I guess the good thing is at some point there will be so many fewer sets out there that there may be a premium on them!! As for grading companies, they have their place, and they make it easier for "newbies" to come into the market without having to worry about making astronomical mistakes, but I agree that you always, ALWAYS have to buy the coin and not the plastic!!

Cladiator

<< <i>Whaqt is wrong with finding cool raw coinsd or for that matter buying other cool raw coins from the lovcal shop? >>

Absolutely nothing!

Whitby

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, what about Exonumia? Specifically Coal Scrip, I have noticed that to date, Coal scrip has to be graded as well. However, do the current Grading Services grade exonumia? I am very interested in the reply as there are some historical tid bits that would render this impractical, IMO.

ABC123

Just another example of people, myself included, needing, positive reinforcement for all our actions (purchases) so we can feel safe in our choices !

BECOKA

When it comes to modern proof sets, for most collectors there is no reason to have them in slabs. They look great in the original mint holder.

The trick comes with registries. Many people like sharing and competing with each other. It is natural. One of the best ways to register your set is with slabs and serial numbers. Now people can show off how much money they make or how diligent they were to search thousands of sets for that perfect coin.

To each his own but if you need a reason it all comes down to the competative nature of most human beings. Especially collectors with OCD like me.

Boothill40

All of my proof sets 50's to present will stay in original packaging, I guess like classic cars I just like them original but thats just me---Tom

MrBreeze

Do whatever makes you happy. There are people out there who like their coins in slabs, and others who would like to have the original set in the original packaging. I collect raw and slabbed coins and love the "different" markets for each area.