Would the coin collecting hobby be better off without TPG grade guaranties??

coinbuf

I believe that the grade guarantee came about as a way for one or two companies to separate themselves from the competition; but it seems in recent years the grade guarantee has been a double edged knife. Imo collectors believe that the TPG companies that offer guaranties grade too strict/harsh and reject crossovers because of the liability of a grade guarantee, And many a thread has been created to complain about the lower than expected grades or, worse yet, genuine holder that gets bestowed upon a submitted coin. Yet on the flip side of the coin, so to speak, those same collectors are willing to pay higher prices because of the market benefit and prestige(perceived or real) that comes with owning coins in the holders of those same TPG's due in part to the grade guarantee. This seems quite an interesting dilemma to me.

So back to the original question, would the elimination of grade guaranties lead to happier collectors? Does a grade guarantee still serve its intended purpose or has it changed and evolved over time? Were collectors better off when there was a top level TPG that offered net grade opinions instead of only genuine or no-grade opinions? Perhaps we as collectors are a very hard bunch to please? The floor is now open to discussion.

Just a footnote; this thread was inspired by a recent post involving a group of expensive and potentially high end coins that were bagged or genuine holdered which got me to thinking, a most dangerous activity.

MrEureka

Imo collectors believe that the TPG companies that offer guaranties grade too strict/harsh and reject crossovers because of the liability of a grade guarantee

I believe that this is the minority opinion, and by a large margin.

curly

<< <i>So back to the original question, would the elimination of grade guaranties lead to happier collectors? >>



Actually brother, the opposite is true. Before TPGs the dealer was the executioner and the unwary collector was the executed.

TwoSides2aCoin

It is still the hobby "of Kings". Without the TPG grade guarantee, heads would roll. and stickers would rule the world.

mr1931S

Before TPGs the dealer was the executioner and the unwary collector was the executed.

Now the unwary collector doesn't get executed. He or she just stays perpetually clueless about the nuances of coin grading.

mike92694

It is because of the TPG grading guarantee that

(1) I buy coins from PCGS and NGC.
(2) I buy coins.(period)

OKbustchaser

The HOBBY would be better without them--collectors would be forced to actually learn something about what they are collecting...the MARKET on the other hand would be much worse as the people who are only interested in how much something could eventually be sold for left the arena and prices collapsed.

Bear

There is no way that I would ever buy another

expensive coin without TPG Guarantee.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>There is no way that I would ever buy another

expensive coin without TPG Guarantee. >>


DITTO!

ColonialCoinUnion

I don't get it.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>Before TPGs the dealer was the executioner and the unwary collector was the executed.

Now the unwary collector doesn't get executed. He or she just stays perpetually clueless about the nuances of coin grading. >>


If a collector stays clueless as you described, it's his own fault. In fact, studying TPG graded coins (backed by the guarantee) is a great way to actually learn the nuances of coin grading.

crypto79

I believe that people will complain about the grades they recive no matter what goes on around them.

DeepCoin

If you want more inclusion into the hobby, TPG is essential. For all the rhetoric regarding learning to grade coins, the fact remains that it is both a skill and requries substantial time and effort to accomplish. For those who have the means and desire to collect, but lack the time needed to become highly skilled at grading, would you have them not participate in the hobby?

For far too long dealers took advantage of the grading differential between their grade and yours of the same coin, particularly dependent upon who actually owned the coin. The collectors BU became a slider when being purchased by a deal far too often.

Another thing that has happened is that practices like whizzing and thumbing of coins is far less prevelant, particularly on expensive coins. That is certainly a win for the hobby.

I for one am for a more inclusive hobby that has a place for the deep pocket collector who buys slabbed coins as a protective measure. The playing field has become far less tilted against the collector than when I was young and there were no slabs.

I understand that opinions will still differ, but on the whole they have expanded the collector market and brought people like myself back into the hobby. I would never have returned otherwise.

CertifiedGoldCoins

<< <i>would the elimination of grade guaranties lead to happier collectors? >>

Some, perhaps. But the elimination of grade guaranties would lead to many more happy dealers, and eventually, to many unhappy collectors.

MidLifeCrisis

DeepCoin -

Fairlaneman

"I understand that opinions will still differ, but on the whole they have expanded the collector market and brought people like myself back into the hobby. I would never have returned otherwise."

Ditto.

Ken

PTVETTER

Is deepcoin saying he isn't young anymore?

Well I am still young, just have ageing eyes....

But can still see, OH look at that babe over there !!!

JimDepot

<< <i>DeepCoin - >>



+1

TwoSides2aCoin

I'm just having fun with coins, as dastardly as this may sound ... I use PCGS.

ziggy29

In some sense, this thread is showing how much the "grade guarantee" and TPGs in general have escalated prices through increased demand and participation in the rare coin market -- for better or for worse (and in reality, probably both for better *and* for worse). I can surely get more assurance when I buy, but on the other hand, it has probably caused a lot of cool coins to be priced way out of my league.

DeepCoin

Just so everyone knows, PTVetter and I graduated together from the same high school....