I'v heard some collectors talk about "gradeflation" and how it's affected the price of coins over the years. Can someone explain "gradeflation", or suggest a book or website where I could read about it? Thanks
Gradeflation is a changing of the grading standards. As an example, assuming that gradeflation does exist, a coin that was graded as MS64 10 years ago would be graded as MS65 today.
So what started gradeflation? Like you said GD, assuming it even exists, is gradeflation a way for dealers to make $$, or is it just grading standards changing as more people (& more opinions) enter the hobby?
Gradeflation has all over it the fingerprints of those that crack out coins and resubmit them time after time after time until they finally get them graded at a higher (and potentially undeserving) grade. As more 64s are graded 65 the standard for a 65 is lowered to the point that coins that used to be graded 64 are now graded 65.
I hate to beat a dead horse, but all the questions I see here for the last year are answered in the new Travers book.
Bruce, it is the new " Coin Collectors Survival Manual" edition #6. Priceless. A must have. we have seen "crack out" threads, grading threads, what if threads, proofset threads, etc etc......all in the book. 20 bucks at Amazon, best 20 you'll ever spend. And thats shipped to your door.
More than anything else, it is the value aspect of market grading. It's something that did not really start becoming common, at least in my opinion, until a couple years ago when prices peaked. Say a coin would normally grade 64, but because of large increases in prices, that 64 coin would now sell for what was 65 money. So the TPG's would now start calling coins of that grade 65 and not 64. That's gradeflation.
I have seen several examples of grading standards changing. On Buffalo nickels, for example, A photograde from the late 1970's says that for very fine the horn, including the tip must show. A recent standard in Redbook says much of horn must show. Also, I have seen Indian Head Cents called fine even with the word LIBERTY not totally visible. In the olden days, that word had to be clear.
Hopefully this will work. In another thread, an 1885 V-nickel was shown. In the past it was a clear AG, because of the wear to the reverse. However, every poster agreed that it was a G-4. That, as they say, is inflation. Nope, can't post picture, will add link. http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=43104 For what ever reason the link won't work, so go to US Coins, scroll to 1885 nickel.
it is the new " Coin Collectors Survival Manual" edition #6. Priceless. A must have. I'll have to pick up a copy
Just for that reason I will not get the book. I maybe the only poster, but that will be okay. Usually(well most cases) - I do not argue with myself.
When all the coins in the world are encapsulated, there would be little need for a TPG. Perhaps gradeflation will occur making it necessary for every single coin to be re-submitted. There should be job security at the TPG during gradeflation. Very best regards, collect89