I am someone who would like to start my own coin grading service with its own slabs one day. The grading service would be called American Coin Services, and ACS graded coins would have some new things. First of all, any coins slabbed by me would simply be marked "Sample"; these are for test purposes only and do not have a numerical grade. Currently I have bought BCW slabs and some inserts, but when I can find a company to make custom slabs, I'll take advantage of it. I would have a 10-number system with a slash showing another number. Here is some info about the very first ACS slabbed coin: 1942 Mercury Dime 0000000001 /1 Sample While the 1,000,000,001st coin would be: 0000000001 /2 I would have a Blue Label system where a coin must be on the high end of its grade, meaning amazing luster, incredible strike, and no wear. I also have a system with holographic stickers saying American Coin Services; they are typed with a typewriter, and the ink is worn off before applying as a way of preventing tampering. You can see who it was certified by, and know it's authentic. So, here's my questions: What would your grading service be called? Would you offer special services? What would your slabs look like?
Don't feel badly if you get a lot of blow back on this. It's a nice thought but you would need a few million dollars just to get off the ground. The top two are so firmly ingrained in the coin psyche that you would be hard pressed to find any funding to get you off the ground. IMHO there are enough TPG's already and the addition of CAC is overload. You would probably be better at starting a TPG that graded arrowheads, seriously, I don't think there is one yet. But if you pursue this one day, the best of luck to you.
I always thought that it would be cool for the EAC to have a grading service. Instead of the coin being encased in plastic the submitter would receive a photo certificate, like what ANACS used to do. This certificate would be 4x2 inches and would be folded directly in half as to fit inside coin envelopes. It would state the coin's sharpness, and net grade along with variety all according to EAC standards.
I think starting a company that grades damaged coins that people think are errors would be cool. $45 a coin. Submitter pays shipping both ways. You think Suckers R Us is a good name, or is that too obvious??
Not one of the more useful topics to come around. Not to worry, I have never submitted something for grading, and any coins I find while walking go in the glass cookie jar.
A few million dollars? Sounds like that would be needed to make it big, unlike companies such as UGS. Suckers R Us would be way too obvious, but you could call it "EDCGS: Error and Damaged Coin Grading Service". If people had PMD on a coin they thought was an error, they'd pay anything to get it graded honestly. The EAC? I've never heard of that before. I do like, though, where ANACS grades all problem coins, and even stuff like blank planchets as MS60. Seems like many of us have not gotten a coin graded ourselves. I'm one of them, and I own about anything from the big companies except for a PCGS old green holder.
RARE Right About R Errors Use a custom preprinted label, laser or ink jet print the information that you want on the label for the grade and such. The labels can be ordered on a roll and the machine that will print from computer to label. Typewriter is Out... Need more info on a label shoot me a PM.
Or: The Exquisite Flea Wagging The Tail That's Wagging The Dog Grading Company? The long name would be reminiscent of old Numismatic books whose titles had 18 lines. And speaking of old, I just think coin grading has saturated our lives too much---much as religion saturated peoples' lives in the middle ages with it's 10,000 religious holidays.
Just imagine this grading company name: The Corroded, Damaged, Holed, Bent, Cleaned, Polished, Environmentally Damaged, Whizzed, Tooled, Artificially Toned, Error, Restrike, Overdate, Overmark, Overstrike, and Problem-Free Coin Grading, Authentication, and Certification Service. Just imagine 25 words for an acronym and people simply call it the grader of everything. And we thought that grader of everything was ANACS. And the fact that they specialize in all of this makes me think that this imaginary company doesn't do any of it.
If I was wanting to start a coin grading company that could be respected and valued. I would post in the for sale forum specific coin photo and ask for price explaining the value of the coin and conditions. If they were swept up immediately, you have a chance. If not or people post why your condition and value is not what should be asked, then you have more study ahead and may need a lawyer in some cases. Nothing personal as I have thought about a few times, but too many fun things in the world that can make you even happier. IMO, Jim
