Is there a place in this forum that decodes the abbreviations and jargon used in the numismatic community? To a newbie, it's just confusing, and makes it harder to learn... For example, what do OP, TPG, NGC and PCGS mean? Also, what is the credit system, and how does it work? Is there a clear explanation (or any explanation at all) somewhere in this group regarding costs to post or to donate credit to other posters, etc? A search of the forum did not result in answers to these newbie questions. Thanks, Airpilot :headbang:
If not here just do search for Numismatic Abbreviations If not here just do search for Numismatic Abbreviations on the web or at hundreds of Coin Info sites - or most all books that generalize will have such.
OP = Original Poster TPG = Third Party Grader (e.g. PCGS, NGC, ANACS, etc) NGC = A grader (Numismatic Guarantee Corp) PCGS = Another grader (Professional Coin Grading Service) As for the credit system, there is a tremendous thread describing it in great detail, but basically, the system is not fully implemented yet. But at this point, users accumulate credits when they post, and do other activities on this site. Eventually, those credits can be used to buy banner ads on the site, post in the classifieds, or you can even donate your credits to another user. There is even a savings account feature where you can move your credits so they can accrue interest. The feature certainly has potential!
if you shop ebay stay away from any slabs that say inb on them, the seller grades his own stuff for resale and often times gives them perfect score. seller is numismaticbureau. found out the hard way
this is the site i use for lingo. helps alot and has some nice tools on site also http://www.pcgs.com/lingo.chtml
To expound on what playboy said, if you buy slabbed coins, you should only buy from PCGS and NGC. ANACS and ICG are the other 2 first-class TPG'ers, but by some accounts, their quality has fallen off recently.
Probably the most complete listing since it is maintained by about 30,000 members to that company. If you want t have fun, make one up and go to that forum and ask what it means.
