That is exactly right, although I was doing that before Bowers wrote those words. As for the grades on slabs, I don't take any of them at face value. Some of the "third world grading companies" are scammers who are out to work with other scammers to cheat people. The main services are obviously better, but you are making a big mistake if you believe everything they put on their holders. The "C" (over graded) coins sell for less than than the properly or conservatively graded pieces, at least to people who know what they are doing. AND they are lot harder to sell to dealers unless you discount them below the listed prices.
We have reached consensus, you should only buy a graded coin when the assigned grade is equal to or lower than your own personal grading standards. Personally, I’m in a collecting stage where I like to buy & sell graded coins to make small profits and buying raw coins in complete albums in an attempt to find submission worthy coins that could result in a “homemade” for my registry set. I love turning raw Jeffersons into MS67s.
I was talking about somebody else. His name is Johnmilton. Nothing to do with you. If you take umbrage, so be it. I have requested deactivation of my account, as I don’t need unnecessary aggravation in my life, after my wife’s surgery and recuperation.
First, let me wish your wife a speedy recovery and best to both of you. Back to this coin, and the underlying discussion... For those of you who remember me, as I've been away for a couple of years, I'm a 99.9% Early Silver Commem guy. It's what I like. In my hunting and buying I have the belief that NGC is a stricter grading company when it comes to that series, and as such, I prefer coins in NGC slabs. I own quite a few in PCGS slabs, but have always felt people buy PCGS slabs for the PCGS slab, and not the coin. And there is a premium attached to having the green or blue paper in that slab, over a white paper, which I can't personally justify paying. this coin is the epitome of that theory, IMO. I was looking for either an Antietam, Spanish Trail, Hudson, or Missouri in 63 to 66 (depending on which) by NGC. There were a few I liked, but either price was too high, or just didn't scream to me the magical words I long to hear. Looking at PCGS, the prices were even higher, that I felt were no better then the NGC's, or in many cases, worse. For the Antietam, I was looking in the 65/66's, as the price is similar. So for fun, I started looking at grades up from my targets, and I came across this one. Yes, I saw the cheek marks, no the color wasn't popping like the PCGS photos, and I felt it was overgraded by 1 to 2, but I knew the seller had been sitting on it for a relatively long time, and put out an offer based on the coin, NOT the holder. When the coin arrived, I immediately looked at the cheek. At first i didn't see the dings, so I put on my reading glasses. With better eyes, I still couldn't/can't see it unless it's held at a specific angle, and only then is there a slight anomaly. With a loup, there is no question it's there, but my eye gets drawn to all the colors that are then popping. Yes, luster is full and wonderful, yes the reverse is as beautiful (IMO)as the images, and yes, I still feel it's overgraded, but hey, it's overgraded in my favor. And here we are. I got myself a key 1937 Antietam graded MS67 by PCGS, and I couldn't be happier. Thanks for reading, and thanks for playing along!
Oh, and before stuff hits the fan; I don't think PCGS overgrades as a whole, it's just been my experience that NGC is stricter on the commemoratives, and that's the only series I feel that way about consistently. All TPG's have strong series, and all have weak series.
Lol, I don't think you need to worry Beefer, I have never seen very many PCGS fanboys on this forum. Btw, I like your Antietam and I miss the one I sold years ago. If I have a chance later, I will try to find the photo of it.
It’s a beautiful coin to be sure. But, I’m in @johnmilton ’s corner. These mostly come extremely nice and the hits on the cheek are a major distraction. If you’re happy with it, that’s all that matters. I’ll say the slab grade is 65 but I’d grade it a gift 64. Cheers Bob
@Beefer518, I found a photo of my PCGS MS66 Antietam. It was a stunning coin with gorgeous toning and photos by Mark Goodman. I think @leeg also owned this coin at some point, don't know if he still does. Anyway, here it is.
I was going to guess ms63. All I can say is that graders typically spend less than 30 seconds on a coin and must have missed the cheek bag marks.
“Buy the coin not the holder” Those cheek marks really knock it down fro 67 Edit: the toning probably gets it a + or * today, but still not a 67