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Are you confident applying grades to your own coins?

ambro51ambro51 Posts: 13,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
....or do you depend on others.

Comments

  • MrHalfDimeMrHalfDime Posts: 3,440 ✭✭✭✭
    "Are you confident applying grades to your own coins?" YES!
    They that can give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither Liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,713 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Absolutely YES!!! I'm the only one that doesn't undergrade my coins.image

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • DHeathDHeath Posts: 8,472 ✭✭✭
    Yes, I am completely confident applying grades to my own coins in the area of my focus. However, few others are interested in my opinion. While I work to stay in touch with the market, market valuation doesn't drive my collecting taste. Anyone who has collected for more than a decade can share stories of how grading has changed, and how TPGs and standards have come and gone. They can also share stories about how certain areas of interest have become fashionable or fallen into disinterest. Old-timers can share how toning used to be viewed as tarnish, detracting from market value. Now, original surfaces are en vogue. Anyone with a good eye can look at my collection and see the characteristics I value, and how I weight marks, strike, luster, rarity, etc. I expect the same is true for others.
    Developing theory is what we are meant to do as academic researchers
    and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
  • ahopewell55ahopewell55 Posts: 276 ✭✭
    No, I realize that I have a lot to learn. Tuition is often expensive.
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,674 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes. I know that I can hold my own with any grader out there.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623 ✭
    I know my series better than save a few people on earth. Not to say people can't disagree on grades but it is a conversation I am prepared to have. I also know the principles of most other series but simply lack the exsposure to the quality needed for comparative analysis to varying degrees depending on series.
  • crypto79crypto79 Posts: 8,623 ✭


    << <i>Absolutely YES!!! I'm the only one that doesn't undergrade my coins.image >>



    This was one of the funnier and truer things I think I have ever read on the forum.
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>No, I realize that I have a lot to learn. Tuition is often expensive. >>



    No chit, Cherlock.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • BAJJERFANBAJJERFAN Posts: 31,225 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Yes, I am completely confident applying grades to my own coins in the area of my focus. However, few others are interested in my opinion. >>



    Precisely why those who say they know how to grade will never make it putting aftermarket stickas on slabbed coins. One's opinion has to mean something significant to many in the hobby/marketplace if one is going to grade coins for fun and profit.
    theknowitalltroll;
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If not, I wouldn't have bought A Coin Shop 4.5 years ago. But by the grace of ____ and a few nice people, I've survived.
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,713 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>

    << <i>Absolutely YES!!! I'm the only one that doesn't undergrade my coins.image >>



    This was one of the funnier and truer things I think I have ever read on the forum. >>


    I was only half joking. I think it was David Hall that said ownership adds a point to the grade or something similar. It's hard to be unbiased when you grade your own coins.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • ldhairldhair Posts: 7,314 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm good enough to stay out of trouble but smart enough to ask for help when needed.
    Larry

  • lkeigwinlkeigwin Posts: 16,893 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Everyone can grade...to their standards.
    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    image

    Yes, even details grade. I graded this AU details. The seller and I went round and round and when PCGS got done, adjustments were made.
    Some things are not gradeable and in some instances I have to use professionals to prove or disprove others' theories or assessments.
    Are you confident ? I'm not, but I do know when my eyes see problems that I can't fix.



    image
  • CoinRaritiesOnlineCoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,680 ✭✭✭✭
    Yes. I do this for a living, I buy a lot of raw coins and if I cannot predict with reasonable accuracy how they will be graded by the services or accepted by the market raw I will not be in business for very long.

    At the end of the day, anyone can grade their own coins anyway they want, but until they actually try to sell them for prices commensurate with the grades they have assigned, or submit them to the services for validation they are kidding themselves.

    John Agre

    Coin Rarities Online
  • keyman64keyman64 Posts: 15,521 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am perfectly confident within my areas of expertise but I still like to have them graded and attributed in PCGS plastic for the registry set.
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners. :smile:
  • JerseyJoeJerseyJoe Posts: 460 ✭✭
    When I first opened this thread I thought yes. have seen enough graded examples of what I collect
    to make a reasonable estimation. After thinking about it I realize I do fairly well seeing the coins in
    hand at a show but do lousey buying on the internet pics. Wen I see the internet purchase in hand
    and do not like it I look at the auction to see if I should have seen it. It is usually apparent so I keep
    the coin. Now I go with graded coins online and judge the raw coins myself at shows.
    A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because it's trust is not in the branch but it's own wings.
  • RYKRYK Posts: 35,799 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>I'm good enough to stay out of trouble but smart enough to ask for help when needed. >>


    Within my narrow areas of interest, I feel the same way.

    BTW, the average grade in my collection is MS-84. image
    My Box of 20: https://pcgs.com/setregistry/collectors-showcase/box-20/ryks-gold-box-20/17132
  • UnknownUnknown
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  • Billet7Billet7 Posts: 4,923 ✭✭✭
    Yes. Over MS66 I'm not so good, but since I don't collect moderns that hasn't been a problem.
  • BaleyBaley Posts: 22,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Are you confident applying grades to your own coins?

    I'm confident enough to not have to apply grades to my own coins.

    Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry

  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Yes. I do this for a living, I buy a lot of raw coins and if I cannot predict with reasonable accuracy how they will be graded by the services or accepted by the market raw I will not be in business for very long.

    At the end of the day, anyone can grade their own coins anyway they want, but until they actually try to sell them for prices commensurate with the grades they have assigned, or submit them to the services for validation they are kidding themselves. >>




    THIS!
    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • Type2Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I think i do ok most of the time. image


    Hoard the keys.
  • lcoopielcoopie Posts: 8,873 ✭✭✭✭✭
    no
    LCoopie = Les
  • crazyhounddogcrazyhounddog Posts: 14,042 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I do just fine.
    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • ctf_error_coinsctf_error_coins Posts: 15,433 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes and I am also confident in the identification of error coins.
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes, I am confident in my abilities - always remembering that grading is subjective and basically an opinion within certain general guidelines. Cheers, RickO
  • roadrunnerroadrunner Posts: 28,313 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm confident in my abilities.....until I sell a bunch of coins.

    Then I usually find out I overestimated more coins than I underestimated....especially in the current market which has a lot in common with the fussy market of 1981-1982.
    Today we have a plus, sticker, and star to try and separate the better coins. Back in 1981 dealers just graded 1-2 MS points tougher when they bought something.
    What do they say?.........ownership adds a point.

    Barbarous Relic No More, LSCC -GoldSeek--shadow stats--SafeHaven--321gold
  • IcollecteverythingIcollecteverything Posts: 1,033 ✭✭✭
    I am pretty confident but I never put the grade on a coin for sale. Who needs the arguing and waste of time. Price you can argue, grade you cannot.

    Aside from 2 ANAC's photo-type graded coins that are gone, I have no TPG graded coins. Never had a slab.

    Successful BST deals with mustangt and jesbroken. Now EVERYTHING is for sale.

  • magikbillymagikbilly Posts: 6,780 ✭
    With the stuff I buy and sell - absolutely.

    Eric
  • TwoSides2aCoinTwoSides2aCoin Posts: 44,507 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm more confident with one eye closed.
  • nagsnags Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    No. But I'd much rather underestimate my abilities and use appropriate caution than overestimate.
  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 23,760 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Yes

    I prefer to buy raw and submit.

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • AUandAGAUandAG Posts: 24,886 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm extremely confident....that PCGS grades better than I can/do.


    bobimage
    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • WalkerfanWalkerfan Posts: 9,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Most definitely. There is so much MORE going on with a coin besides it's technical grade such as strike, surfaces and whatnot. So I don't even trust someone else to tell me the coin is good even if it's in a TPGS slab-----I ALWAYS have to see and like the coin for myself.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • hchcoinhchcoin Posts: 4,836 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I am confident to + or - ten points image

    I still find it amazing how many different opinions you get on a guess the grade thread.

    I still double check my own coins versus grading standards and auction pictures to stay realistic.
  • UnknownUnknown
    This content has been removed.
  • johnny9434johnny9434 Posts: 29,070 ✭✭✭✭✭
    i do ok with it. theres always room to learn more
  • TireKickerTireKicker Posts: 870 ✭✭
    Depends on the series
    All the best,

    Rob

    image

    Successful Trades with: Coincast, MICHAELDIXON

    Successful Purchases from: Manorcourtman, Meltdown
  • LMMLMM Posts: 92 ✭✭
    Heck NO!!! I collect moderns and I can't tell the difference between a 69 or 70 95% of the timeimage
  • TheRegulatorTheRegulator Posts: 1,228 ✭✭✭

    I'm confident enough to not have to apply grades to my own coins.

    I like this response. image
    The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. -Thomas Jefferson
  • telephoto1telephoto1 Posts: 4,948 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Yes. I do this for a living, I buy a lot of raw coins and if I cannot predict with reasonable accuracy how they will be graded by the services or accepted by the market raw I will not be in business for very long.

    At the end of the day, anyone can grade their own coins anyway they want, but until they actually try to sell them for prices commensurate with the grades they have assigned, or submit them to the services for validation they are kidding themselves. >>



    Agree 100%. I don't think it's possible to improve upon the above statement.

    RIP Mom- 1932-2012
  • ModernDollarNutModernDollarNut Posts: 886
    The TPG's, including PCGS, could learn a lot from groups of experts that specialize in primarily one series, in this case, The Ike Group.

    The problem is our detailed knowledge, based on concentrated focus and innumerable examples, provides us with more grading information than can easily be conveyed so for the most part we are left to our own "devices" and over time profit from trades and re-subs.

    Not that we can't play the TPG game: our cumulative record of CAC green and yellow stickers is probably untouchable.

    And, we are strong evidence that computerized photo-grading will always lag any of us given a few seconds with an Ike in hand.

    On the other hand, when one of us rendesr an opinon, there is not the weight of a major enterprise backing up that opinion as there is with our hosts, so TPG's like PCGS and ANACS will always have the dominent role in grading Ikes. Stay tuned for a year or two, we are trying to put all this between the covers of a book. . . Rob
    Modern dollars are like children - before you know it they'll be all grown up.....

    Questions about Ikes? Go to The IKE GROUP WEB SITE

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