Kinda neet to see the operational continuity of their facility. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAQv6qmGcis&feature=related
As a collector that doesn't use grading services very often I found the vidwo quite interesting. Might make me more prone to send some things in.
A Third Grader I thought it rather funny that if two graders assign different grades, the coin is sent to a third grader. There must be a better way to say that. : )
Interesting.. I've heard lots of advice about using gloves to handle coins...but on this video nary a glove in sight. The video relates that at least two graders handle every coin with perhaps a third if a tie breaker is needed. That seems to be a lot of coin handling without gloves. Every once in awhile, someone is bound to fumble and grip something other than an edge. As well, once the coin is graded, it goes into a holder, which again necessitates handling of the coin. Also, if a third grader is needed to break a tie, they describe this person as a "world class grader". What criteria are is used to meet this standard? My thoughts are that many of the real "world class graders" are successful coin dealers and/or consigners who are not employed by PCGS because their businesses are more lucrative than being a hired hand at PCGS. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?
You know all of this just got me thinking. I would have liked to see them mention that before the coin is permantly slabbed, that it gets some type of bath to remove any handling evidence, should any one of the graders or support staff have accidently touched the surface. On another note, I'd love to work there, it would keep my interest, but sitting there and grading for 40 hrs a week, I dunno. Maybe the being the chick in receiving that opens the packages and enters them in the computer would be ok.
I doubt that they will be bathing any coins. That would be considered 'cleaning.' They are not supposed to alter the surfaces in any way. I was a bit surprised to see no gloves, but then again, one little speck of metallic dust on a glove and it becomes a 'coin scratching device.' A 'world class grader,' is somebody who has completely divested themselves of ownership or participation in any coin selling capacity or venture. I believe they all have binding contracts which declare they will avoid sales and outside grading or appraisal activities. Also, they all earn in excess of $100,000 per year. I still find it amazing that they grade about 4,000 to 5,000 coins each day in order for their company to average 100,000 coins per month, given weekends off.
You do not need to use gloves if you learn how to handle You do not need to use gloves if you learn how to handle coins and are meticulous about using a clean work surface and hand washing.
I agree with bhp3rd, except that... I agree that in most instances, it's fine to handle a coin barehanded if it is carefully held by its rim. But I do not believe it humanly possible to touch the mirror surfaces of an unpatinated proof, or the Hubble telescope, with a bare finger and not leave some trace of: 1) residue, and, 2) marks and scratches. We have microscopes available, even if PCGS doesn't. ; ) NOTE: I feel sure they do, but I didn't see any in their video. NOTE 2: Grading used to be accomplished only with the use of the naked eye or a 4X loupe. Today 10X loupes are often used, and microscopes. For the metallic content there are non-destructive ways to test, and as far as future organic and possible DNA examination, even more exotic equipment will be employed. NOTE 3: Accidents will happen when handling coins. I've see it happen; so have you, I'll bet. : )
I have coins being graded by PCGS right now...... I can not and will not say anything bad about you know who.......:high5: .
You bring up an interesting point..the fatigue factor. The video mentions 100,000 coins graded per month. How many coins is each grader expected to complete every day? If there are quotas and a grader is behind, does the pace of grading pick up? Would this affect the quality of grading? Do these guys really make 100k/year? Sounds on the high side. Are there better times of the week to get your coin graded? For instance, Monday morning might not be best time to have a coin graded. Maybe Friday would, generally folks are in a better frame of mind. Also, the video mentions that the graders don't know who the coins are from. Maybe so, but I don't know of too many businesses where larger customers don't receive some type of preferential treatment, whether it's in the pricing or getting ahead of someone else in the line. They could do this and still maintain the confidentiality to the grader of where the coin is from. I read somewhere else on this forum about situations where coins have been lost and/or coins that were returned from graders were not the same ones sent in. Anything to this or is it hearsay?
Every time this video is brought up people make comments about no gloves. They don't use gloves because it has been found that coins get dropped considerably more often when they wear gloves. If the third grader (love that term) is the world class grader, and he looks at the coin when the other two can't agree, What "class" are the other two graders? Actually that is probably about right and might even be a little low. A few years ago they were advertising for graders and the salary mentioned was "up to 250K." A few things to consider. (and this will get scary as far as fatigue goes) Now since every coin has to be graded twice that is 200,000 gradings a month. If there are an average of 24 working days a month that is 8,333 gradings a day. If there are ten graders that is 834 gradings per day per grader. If they work a 9 hr day wiith an hr for lunch and breaks that is 104 gradings per hr, 1.7 gradings per minute, or one grading ever 34 seconds day in day out. But there is something else to consider. That was 100,000 coins GRADED per month. That doesn't include all the coins that have to be examined but which don't grade. So that means even more coins have to be examined per hour.
Interesting post... I don't wear gloves when handling a lot of coins, I use these latex things from a coin supply house that uhmmm...resemble very small condoms. They are thin, have no powder and afford more gription than bare fingers, not to mention I don't have to worry about oil from my fingers, etc. After a session wearing these, I notice they are somewhat discolored from handling the coins. I like your analysis of the how many coins each grader might have to complete. Do we know in fact how many graders they employ?
