Is any professional coin grader bigger than the grading firm itself?

Longacre

In another thread, an excessively prominent collector posted a thread about how Mike Ellis has been hired by Dominion Grading Service, to be a coin grader. I don't know Mr. Ellis personally, but I hear that he has a good reputation. I think this is BIG news, but the reaction that the thread seems to be getting is one of ho-hum, and that it does not matter who is at the grading firm, it is the company itself that counts.

Does anyone know if there are any coin graders that are bigger than the grading services themselves? For example, can a BIG name in grading turn around a grading service that does not have the stature of PCGS or NGC? Have we, as collectors, bought too much into which grading services are "tops", and should we be focusing on which humans are actually doing the grading, rather than just the name on the slab?

MikeInFL

<< <i> Have we, as collectors, bought too much into which grading services are "tops", and should we be focusing on which humans are actually doing the grading, rather than just the name on the slab? >>



Personally, the name on the slab and the name of the person doing the grading are both secondary to the grade and coin itself....Mike

pmac

Maybe the grader should put his name or initials in the slab? Something like "Inspected By #11" as in the garment industry. The grading firm needs to establish consistancy to be effective.

UtahCoin

<< <i>Maybe the grader should put his name or initials in the slab? Something like "Inspected By #11" as in the garment industry. The grading firm needs to establish consistancy to be effective. >>



I have noticed that shorts inspected by #11 do command a higher price.....

RedTiger

<< <i>Maybe the grader should put his name or initials in the slab? Something like "Inspected By #11" as in the garment industry. The grading firm needs to establish consistancy to be effective. >>



PCI did this for a short time with their signature slabs. Highly regarded series specialists had their signature stamped onto the label. The gimmick didn't help PCI very much.

Grading is only one piece of the puzzle of what makes for a successful grading company. Marketing, dealer support, collector perception, buybacks, guarantees, percentage market share are each almost as important as accurate grading. Some might argue that it all starts with accurate grading, but that can be a chicken and egg argument. Which comes first?

ColonialCoinUnion

<< <i>

<< <i>Maybe the grader should put his name or initials in the slab? Something like "Inspected By #11" as in the garment industry. The grading firm needs to establish consistancy to be effective. >>



I have noticed that shorts inspected by #11 do command a higher price..... >>



I don't want to brag, but I'm wearing a pair of '#11s' right now.

savoyspecial

not sure if this is an example of what the OP is describing or not but i have noticed that industry professionals respect Larry Briggs as a numismatist while discounting SEGS slabs

rgCoinGuy

So was this the big news that was posted in a "read tomorrow" thread, and did that thread poof? Just curious....

Halfhunter06

I had the privlidge of being Mr. Ellis' roomate this year at the ANA Summer Seminar. Each night throughout my coarse he answered many questions that i had about grading coins with enthusiasm and superior content knowledge. DGS is getting an experienced grader which will enhance its image and bring thier services to a mainstream level. I wish Mike all the best in his new postion.

Hussulo

I don't want to brag, but I'm wearing a pair of '#11s' right now.

OPA

<< <i>So was this the big news that was posted in a "read tomorrow" thread, and did that thread poof? Just curious.... >>



Could be ... I don't see a denial ... I did not get the chance to read Camerons thread...

edix2001

<< <i>I had the privlidge of being Mr. Ellis' roomate this year at the ANA Summer Seminar. >>



But were you out every night at the Lunar Lounge with Jack Jackson?

Halfhunter06

I went a few times yes, but I dont drink so...I only stayed for a few

bidask

David Hall?

I think he qualifies.

lathmach

Someone bigger than the grading co.?
Hmmmmm..............
Well, Cameron Keifer is about 8 feet tall and he worked at ICG.
Just how tall is ICG?

Ray

WTCG

To answer the question, check out the end result of the former grading company PCI hiring J.T. Stanton to "carry" the company. It's a perfect example of the question in the orignal thread.

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>Maybe the grader should put his name or initials in the slab? Something like "Inspected By #11" as in the garment industry. The grading firm needs to establish consistancy to be effective. >>



I have noticed that shorts inspected by #11 do command a higher price..... >>



I don't want to brag, but I'm wearing a pair of '#11s' right now. >>

Bear

The grading company sets the criteria

for the various grades of each series of coin.

The company also sets the standards for

Cameo and Deep Cameo.The graders

will determine the even and consistent application

of the company guidelines. It is the reputation of

the company, based upon its enforcement of its

principles and quality control, that sets the price value

of the coins in its slabs.

adamlaneus

Maybe someone can jog my memory.

There is a professional grader who knows what they are doing. And they are a self slabber. This person can indeed grade and occasionally you see a well graded coin in the right slab, but 95% of it is overgraded, misrepresented junk.

That seems to fit the definition of a grader bigger than the grading firm, but not in the sense that Longacre desired.

Is it SGS I am thinking of? Numistrust? ACG? I forget. I'd like to get it right, as I may have just dragged some good firms through the dirt.




[EDIT]

This thread could be derailed into a "your momma's so big" sort of thread.

"Your grader is so big that when he is around the offices, he is around the offices!"

Bochiman

Anyone talking odds if longacre actually comes back to comment in this thread? Or, is this just another "hit and run" post?

fivecents

Robert Johnson is bigger than what ever third world grading service he is working for/owns.

coinkat

Interesting thread...

Garment standards...

Sorry, but who is Robert Johnson other than the Blues artist that recorded for Vocalion in 1936-1937?

To answer the original question, it would appear that consistency and making sure coins are graded in the most appropriate holder would be the top concern for collectors.

Longacre will appear again after some off the farm response...