I've read other posts about the ads in Coin World. I have to say that the negatives were a surprise because I thought CW was very strict making sure their ads were true and that you got what the ad said. Many of you said different. What's your opinion of Coin World? Thanks, David
Coin grading is subjective, so there will always be some difference at times between what a buyer grades a coin vs. what the seller does. I don't think with the advertisers that can afford to purchase CW ads that there are many cases when the difference is consistently large as reputation still means something in this business. That said, I don't think that Coin World, or any other publication, can police it's advertisers nor do they have much of an incentive to do so until it begins to damage their reputation. Personally, I don't see that happening over any one advertiser.
Coin World is a highly repsected magazine. And they have an ad policy. But what it says is that grades listed must adhere to accepted grading practices. As was said, the magazine does not really police that policy - they can't. What would you epxect them to do, buy coins from all those who place the ads and then decide if the listed grades are correct ? Ads anywhere are ads, they are designed to get people to buy stuff. So asking what someone thinks of Coin World based on the ads they have is like asking what someone thinks of CBS or NBC because of the ads they have on TV. Or any of the cable channels, or any newspaper in the country. All of them have ads, that's what keeps them in business. So the question you need to ask isn't what somebody thinks of Coin World, you need to ask what somebody thinks of the dealers placing the ads. You'll get answers.
I agreed with Doug. Coin World has their policies in place, but it up to the consumer to police the sellers, and advise the public about their experiences. CW is a publisher, and I would expect them to accept ads, you, the collector must advise us what you learn.
If it weren't for Coin Values I wouldn't have a subscription to Coin World. I use CV in conjunction with the greysheet to determine how much I'm willing to pay for a coin. There are a few columns that I find interesting. I like the legal column (not in every issue.) I like the conservation column (not in every issue.) I like "Letters to the editor". (I just had one published!) I like the editorials/opinions. Occasionally there are articles that I find interesting, particularly if they have to do with grading or varieties. What I don't like are advertisements that list coins graded with descriptive terms like "BU", "Gem", etc. I would never buy from such people. The collecting community in general is cautious about slabs from the respected TPGs, hence the guidance "Buy the coin, not the slab." At least we have published guidelines for coins graded using the Sheldon numbering system (ANA Grading Standards, Photograde). To the best of my knowledge, particularly in the uncirculated range, the terminology is not nearly as well defined. If I understand correctly, a BU coin could be equal to anything from MS-60 to MS-62, or something like that. (No published guide that I know of.) But you can pretty much be assured that the price will be toward the top end of that range. Yes, I know CW can't really afford to irritate those advertisers, but I'd like a more definitive statement about coins graded that way. Obviously that's my major "bone of contention" with CW. And many of the articles are of little interest to me, but that's a personal preference. Well, you asked.
Who cares. The ads give you a lot of pretty pictures to look at. Chaeck with the board before investing in a dealer. We are your friends. Ruben
i just let my subscription to CW lapse. only thing i'm getting now is CCN for the trends. tired of the ads and the day old news. -Steve
I am currently suscribed to Coinage. I am pretty satisfied. Is there any other magazines that are worth reading that focus mainly on U.S. coins? Nothing against foreign coins, but I just have no interest in them. I like mrbrklyn would like to see a section on coin dealer reputation, feedback, ratings, and customer satisfaction.
