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Originally Posted by Cloudsweeper99 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. |
Big Two my A**. I am waiting for some Franklins to come back from NGC. I checked my order online, and to my surprise a 1953 that I had sent in wasn't on the list. On the line item where it should have been listed was 1955, so I called them and told them that I sent in a 1953, not a 1955. The woman put me on hold and after about 2 minutes came back and said that someone must have mis-typed the date into their computer, but it didn't matter because the coin had been marked as "Improperly Cleaned."
I am very upset for a number of reasons. I can veryify that the coin has NEVER been cleaned as it came from a family member who had gotten it from the bank, back in '53. When I sent this coin in I was sure it would come back a 65 or 66 with full bell lines. This marks the very last time I do business with NGC or buy a coin in an NGC holder. The people at NGC, in my opinion, don't know their a** from their elbow. If they are that careless about what they "...type into the computer," and they have mis-graded this coin, then who knows what they are capable of. From now on, no more eBay or mail order either. I will buy what I like, when I see it in a shop or at a show, and all the TPG holders, including NGC and PCGS, can flush down the toilet. By the way, that group of coins that I sent to NGC would have made a complete registry set of Franklins. Guess what! I'm cracking all of them out of the NGC holders, and putting them in Kointains, and a Dansco Album.
Steve
