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I can relate to this problem because, as a new guy, it just about has me stopped in my tracks in getting started. This is a tremendously difficult hobby for the casual enthusiast. The choices seem to be to buy lower grade inexpensive coins [what I basically have so far], or buy only slabbed coins. Even if I spend a lot of time learning to grade coins, and follow this up by properly grading them, the window is still open for a dealer to disagree with the grading -- and I think I know who will usually win that debate. I know the right thing to do is to collect what you like and not worry about it, but I'd also like to create something of value at the same time for my kids to have someday [and be able to liquidate if they want to without taking a bath]. So slabbed coins by the big two seems to be the safe way to go.
However, I wouldn't say the hobby is screwed up. There are just a lot of people who know a tremendous amount about the coins, and also happen to be skilled negotiators through years of practice. I'm not one of them. My own grading skills consist of being able to divide coins into about three grades; good, very fine, and AU & higher. So I have a lot of work to do.
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