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Attended a grading lecture by Charles Browne

In 40 yrs. I've never taken a grading class but knowing even an old dog can learn new tricks I took advantage of the lecture given by Charles Browne at the Manchester NH show this weekend.

The audience consisted of the complete range of collectors from new (was nice to see some young blood getting involved) to old. Also a fair number who had taken the course previously.

Charles Browne is a very talented teacher and in a short time the new collectors got an education that had taken some of us yrs. to learn.and we all got an insight into some of the grading criteria that the TPG use as well as the weighting of those factors in determining grade.

In my case his discussion on grades 64 to 65 that have large price jumps and why big premiums are justified for the high end that are not priced in price guides reminded me of something I've known for yrs. but just failed to act on it just minutes before the lecture started.
I had just looked at what I felt was a very high end $5 Indian in MS 64 at a fair price but having spent so much at the Stack's auction the week before, guilt kept me from buying and went to the lecture room
In 40 years the best Indians that I have are a couple of 63's and always wanted a 65 but not only are they expensive now but they were even much more expensive years back.
During the lecture I was mentally kicking myself as he discussed the premiums that a 64+ deserved.
After the lecture I immediately returned to the floor and it was still there. Yeh!

Taking a refresher course is certainly worth it.

Comments

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    DaveGDaveG Posts: 3,535
    Sounds like some time very well spent!



    What else did he have to say?

    Check out the Southern Gold Society

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    EastonCollectionEastonCollection Posts: 1,687 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This past summer, I spent a week of my vacation time attending the ANA Summer seminar advanced grading and one of the instructors was Charlie Brown. Prior to this week long class, I never meet nor heard of Charlie Brown. I felt that all 4 instructors were fantastic and great. Each instructor including Charlie spent the time to make sure each student learned the advanced grading skills of the class. After this course, I make it a point to see Charlie at shows and we speak about coins and life in general. I would call him my friend. What a great guy and very knowledgeable in coin grading. I feel that he wants collectors to get the most amount of enjoyment from this hobby. He is a true gentleman and skilled dealer. One of the very best!
    Easton Collection
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    ZoinsZoins Posts: 34,489 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: BIGAL2749

    In 40 yrs. I've never taken a grading class but knowing even an old dog can learn new tricks I took advantage of the lecture given by Charles Browne at the Manchester NH show this weekend.



    The audience consisted of the complete range of collectors from new (was nice to see some young blood getting involved) to old. Also a fair number who had taken the course previously.



    Charles Browne is a very talented teacher and in a short time the new collectors got an education that had taken some of us yrs. to learn.and we all got an insight into some of the grading criteria that the TPG use as well as the weighting of those factors in determining grade.



    In my case his discussion on grades 64 to 65 that have large price jumps and why big premiums are justified for the high end that are not priced in price guides reminded me of something I've known for yrs. but just failed to act on it just minutes before the lecture started.



    I had just looked at what I felt was a very high end $5 Indian in MS 64 at a fair price but having spent so much at the Stack's auction the week before, guilt kept me from buying and went to the lecture room



    In 40 years the best Indians that I have are a couple of 63's and always wanted a 65 but not only are they expensive now but they were even much more expensive years back.



    During the lecture I was mentally kicking myself as he discussed the premiums that a 64+ deserved.



    After the lecture I immediately returned to the floor and it was still there. Yeh!



    Taking a refresher course is certainly worth it.



    Paragraphed.


    Congrats on getting the Indian!
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    coindeucecoindeuce Posts: 13,515 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Please share with us what Charles Browne motivated you to buy. Pics !

    "Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
    http://www.american-legacy-coins.com

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Training.... even re-training is never a waste. I have found this to be true in many

    endeavors. Cheers, RickO
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    abcde12345abcde12345 Posts: 3,404 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I'm not aware of his terrific grading skills, yet my favorite memory of him is when Lucy pulls the football away from him as he goes to punt it, each and every time!
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    TONEDDOLLARSTONEDDOLLARS Posts: 2,928 ✭✭✭✭
    Charlie is one hell of a guy. Very knowledgeable and a man I am proud to say is a friend of mine.
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    goldengolden Posts: 10,493 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Originally posted by: abcde12345
    I'm not aware of his terrific grading skills, yet my favorite memory of him is when Lucy pulls the football away from him as he goes to punt it, each and every time!


    image
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    USMarine6USMarine6 Posts: 2,101 ✭✭✭✭✭
    For those of you that don't know who Charlie Brown is. He was one of the very first graders at PCGS starting with them in 1986. He is also a member of the PNG. As stated above he is a dealer but is a teacher of numismatics first and it dosent hurt that he is down to earth regular guy.



    I was lucky enough to attend the same class as the OP this weekend. The price to attend the class was $0. It was an hour and a half long and it only scratched the surface. It was just an refresher coarse for many there as the OP stated but its always good to refresh the batteries.



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    YorkshiremanYorkshireman Posts: 4,613 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wish I could have been there.
    Yorkshireman,Obsessed collector of round, metallic pieces of history.Hunting for Latin American colonial portraits plus cool US & British coins.
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    giantsfan20giantsfan20 Posts: 1,750 ✭✭✭✭
    Sounds interesting and time well spent. Would rather attend this type of educational information than of some esotorc topic that does nothing for my collecting. interests.



    Wish i could attend FUn shows as those lecture topics are interesting and could learn from them.
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    DaveWcoinsDaveWcoins Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭
    Charlie is a terrific guy -- super honest and knowledgeable. He is one of the class acts of our business.



    If you see him set up at a show, stop by and say hello. Very friendly and down to earth.
    Dave Wnuck. Redbook contributor; long time PNG Member; listed on the PCGS Board of Experts. PM me with your email address to receive my e-newsletter, and visit DaveWcoins.com Find me on eBay at davewcoins
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    AnalystAnalyst Posts: 1,438 ✭✭✭


    Dave W.:Charlie is a terrific guy ... super honest and knowledgeable. He is one of the class acts of our business. ... If you see him set up at a show, stop by and say hello. Very friendly and down to earth.



    I have cited Charlie Browne in a large number of articles, starting in 2003! I first met him in an earlier time period. I thank him for often cooperating. In some instances, I mention his qualifications. There is not a pressing need to do so often, as many readers are already aware that Charlie is one of the leading graders and a man of integrity. I am proud to have learned much from him.



    Recent Articles That Cite or Otherwise Mention Charlie Browne



    insightful10@gmail.com
    "In order to understand the scarce coins that you own or see, you must learn about coins that you cannot afford." -Me

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