Was wondering if anyone had seen or had any coins graded by this new company( new to me anyways). They were at the MSNA show here last week and they had a really cool design. The coins with inscription on the edges ie the Washing ton dollar coins and similar coins are in a unique holder. This holder when viewed straight on allows you to read the lettering due to the holder having mirrors in it. I thought it was really cool. I talked with Jim M while at the show and he stated he had seen some graded by these guys and he thought they were spot on. I also seen a few and thought they had some strict grading practices. They stated that they do not body bag coins but if the the coin has been flawed ie whizzed, cleaned, die crack etc that they would just include it in the description. Also they were cool to my son. He had some really inexpensive coins and he took them to the graders and they treated him as if he had handed them a five thousand dollar coin. Really professionals and my son thought it was cool also. They are based out of Waterford,MI. Just thougt I would throw it out there and see what you guys thought/experienced.. Jerry
I went over and talked to Bob the owner for an hour or so later in the day. They have some great ideas and he wants to have a sit down meeting with me in the near future. The holder they have for the 3rd side of the coin is awesome. I then went around and talked to some of the local dealers that I know and asked them what they thought etc. One told me that he had sent them some PCGS adn NGC graded coins which he removed prior and everyone of them came back graded to match the old holders. Their website is www.mmnscoin.com you can look at the holder they have.
Jerry, I talked to them for awhile, because I was also captivated by the holder. I looked at some of their graded samples in the case, and they're a little too liberal on the grading for me. I asked how they were going to deal with market acceptance, and the fellow told me that they were already pretty well accepted, except in Michigan. I don't know what to make of them at this point. It's a little too early to decide, but I certainly wouldn't send them anything to be certified at this point. I need to see more of their material.
The one copper they had on display, a British piece, was accurate - IF you ignore the apparent porosity. I wanted to talk more with them, but they were very busy and I only had Friday at the show. Since they're local I might contact them for some more discussions in the future. I will say that I DO like their holder. A parabolic mirror in the slab is a bright idea indeed, and I'm assuming that's what they're using.
Weird, I was at a bank in that area the other day (looking for $2's) and overheard a lady talking about becoming the treasurer for something. It ended up being the coin club in that area. She and her husband were telling me about that service and that they cracked out and submitted some PCGS/NGC coins and they came back at the same grade.
Hey Fish and Bernard sorry I missed you at the show would have been nice to hook up for a bit. I don't think they were to liberal with there grading but thats what makes us all great as it gives different points of view on something and that is something you definitely want when dealing/collecting coins. Don't get me wrong time will tell with then and if they will go the way of some of the OTHER grading companies. I hope not because they seem to be on the right track grading and all IMHO. One thing I do like is that they do not body bag and if you coin is questionable as authentic they tell you so and only charge the shipping fee and don't keep your grading money. The one thing Bernard that you said made me go ??? is how is it your are generally accepted all over except in your home state. Wouldn't that be where you would think acceptance would start?? How long have these guys been around.
Hm....I have a few MS65/66 rainbow Washingtons I've been waiting to send to PCGS, maybe I should send them to MMNS, how are their costs? I do prefer a slabbed coin, but I hate the cost of PCGS If I pay $30.00 for a nice coin I shouldn't have to pay $30.00 for it to be slabbed.
Check out the website that Jim M posted in this thread. It has the website. Hey if you do when you get them back post them and send me a PM so I can check them out.. thanks Jerry
That's what the guy told me. He claimed they were popular in every state "this side of the Mississippi, except Michigan." I find it hard to believe also. I have not seen their slabs in any of my out-of-state coin travels "this side of the Mississippi", but in the past couple of years I've only been to coin shops in Massachusetts and Ohio.
They had samples at last years fall's Michigan State show and they were active at Central States in Cincinnati this past spring.
