In a desperate measure, the coin slabbing company ACG, also known as ASA-Accugrade is suing a long list of prominant collectors and numismatists. ACG has its own version of grading standards, which many people insist is not at all consistant with currently accepted standard grading systems. ACG has chosen to sue a number of outspoken individuals who have stated their opinions openly on the subject. Cointalk is an open forum, people are free to state their opinion about ACG or any other organization in the numismatic industry. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm sure that more details about these lawsuits will be forthcoming, but I wanted people here at Cointalk to know about the desperate measures ACG is taking, and that Cointalk will remain an open forum where all opinions about grading standards are welcome.
RCC members are quite prominent on the list, some of which are very well respected in the numismatic field. There is some limited info (and rightly so too) about this on RCC.
Peter - You and I both know people named in this suit and I'm sure a few other Coin Talk members know some as well. And they all thought there was no harm in posting their thoughts on another Open Forum. Now they have been served with legal papers and embroiled in a lawsuit for their comments in this Forum and in public. While I feel it likely they will win in the end - the question remains - how much will it cost them to do so ? This company, ACG, has gone to extraordinary lengths to pursue those who speak of them in a derogatory manner. This is not the first time they have done this and I doubt it will be the last. So as much as I think a person should be able to speak their minds on a given subject in a venue such as this - one does need to consider the possible consequences of doing so as it is not a frivolous matter and one could end up just as our friends are now. I will say I admire your courage Peter for allowing and even encouraging open discussion. I think you know I feel the same way and have my entire life. I have some personal experience in matters such as these. A publication of mine was once banned in 3 states when I was still in high school. Even that never stopped me from speaking my mind. I doubt anything ever will. But we should ALL remember - there can be consequences for our actions. Sometimes very expensive consequences. So to the members of Coin Talk I ask that you please consider this before posting any comments.
Please do not misunderstand me - I am not asking anyone to keep quiet about this - quite the contrary. By all means - speak your mind. Just be aware there may be consequences depending on what you have to say. I'll go on record here and now that I will personally travel to wherever to testify for the defendents in this matter. I doubt my testimony would matter much - but ya never know. In my opinion this entire suit is a last ditch effort on the part of ACG to defend their reputation. In my opinion - it is a lost cause.
Well for many years, ACG has taken the offensive in their quest to be considered a legitimate grading service. Quoting their success on Ebay and other such auction places. With their low prices and affordable coins in the market place, they feel they are being unjustly criticized. As collectors learn about grading issues, and market presence, some inferior services are easy to detect. The market bears these results for all to see. While their claim that the larger third grading parties are making it impossible for them to achieve their rightful place in the market may have some legitimacy, it doesn't make up for the downfalls. If a collector or dealer chooses to complain, ACG goes on the offensive. They file large law suits for libel and slander. They make their stand legitimate because of their lawsuits. Until the hobby as a whole creates standards by which all grading services are held accountable, all of these firms will use their own standards. Knowledge about these standards must be shared with all. We tend to make it easy to complain about these issues, but how many of us stand up and do something about them. Mr. Stuppler (ANA governor) spoke out harshly against the standards used at ACG and was dealt with harshly. Most collectors and dealers know that ACG coins are sold at levels far below the other grading services. Most also know that the grading standards used by ACG does not match those of some of the other services. It is this knowledge that must be spread to others. If we as a group would use our influence to change the minds of novice collectors, ACG would not have to stoop to law suits. You don't have to bad mouth a company. All you have to do, is show others a better or different company. Explain the advantages in using other firms. While I applaud Peter for his stand, I would also caution anyone against unfounded complaints against ACG. Their lawyers are spending a lot of time to prove injustice. A law suit against you will only cost you money. Even if you are found not guilty, is the price of your attorney worth it? Lets find a better way of expressing our views of better companies. Let every collector do his or her part to rid the hobby of less than desirable companies. Write letters to the editors of the hobby publications. Write to the ANA. Make your voice heard. This is the only way to protect the hobby. Don't let the ones you know fall victim to lower third grading services. Stand up for what is right, and the companies that fail to meet expectations will not have the right to sue anyone. Now if this statement seems a bit watered down, many of you that follow the ACG list, will see why. Until this matter is closed, I can only say so much ;-)
