Someone mentioned this grading company so I thought I would go there just to see the website. They have some articles linked from the front page, I read this one and its the typical nonsense... what you see on forums as well when someone comes here looking for advice, instead they get something like this
http://www.stellacoinnews.com/?p=3394
The part I am referring to is this:
These acceptable means of conserving are few in comparison to the hundreds of ways you can clean a coin. However, you should leave all forms of conserving and cleaning of coins to the professionals unless you are certain you know what you are doing. I am not going to tell you how to conserve your coins because unless you really know what you are doing it is not the right thing to do!
This is just inane...at least the person is not just saying
'cleaning coins is bad' but it says
'if you dont know what you are doing, pay a professional' (as if I want to pay any more for this hobby then I already do, especially if I am also paying a TPG like them to encapsulate my coin in plastic). Fair enough but if you know how to do it...why dont you let us know so we can learn right?
Now this would be a great place to TELL people how it is done so they CAN learn how to do it and then they WILL know what they are doing...offer real useful info. Pass on truly valuable knowledge that could help the collector save money and DIY...instead this person follows up by saying:
"I am not going to tell you how to conserve your coins because unless you really know what you are doing it is not the right thing to do!"
How are people supposed to LEARN how to do it and know what they are doing if you dont share the knowledge with them on how to do it!!! Its just stupidity. This person could haves time and effort by just not bothering to write this as it passes on 0 knowledge... He just gives the standard response that you could find on any forum...all he is saying is what most people say to anyone who comes seeking REAL information and advice. Instead of helping the person they just say
'dont do it...pay someone else to do it...' thats all this guy had to write...
I am thinking of putting up a section on my website with every type of CONSERVATION technique spelling out what to do in the most minute detail. Every time I find out a new one, post it and rate it...I think if people truly want to help fellow collectors they will share this info if they know it.
I know that some of these TPGs do wonders with old ratty coins, I have still yet to uncover much of what they do and they certainly wont reveal these techniques themselves because its not about helping, its about getting...this information should be there for all to read.
