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<p>[QUOTE="Oldhoopster, post: 5147530, member: 84179"]In the ancient field, graded doesn’t always = best. Many advanced collectors prefer coins that aren’t slabbed. You also need to consider that ancients have a lot of flan and strike variability that doesn’t always fit well with standardized grading used on modern coins. Should a poorly struck, but well centered example grade higher than a well struck coin that has devices off the flan? How do you factor a flan crack into a standard grade? How much of a reduction for Horn silver or crystallization, or uneven patina? Add in the fact that many ancients have been cleaned (which isn’t always considered detrimental as it is with modern coins) and you really have a lot of things to consider.</p><p><br /></p><p>I think you would do better finding a trustworthy dealer to help build a collection. You may pay a little more for the dealer’s knowledge and experience, but they can help a new collector navigate through the minefield. </p><p><br /></p><p>If you insist on buying graded coins, NGC seems to do a reasonable job, as others have said. Also, I recommend skipping ebay for buying high end ancients until you have some experience. It's too easy to lose a lot of money buying the wrong coin, even slabbed. Just my thoughts. Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Oldhoopster, post: 5147530, member: 84179"]In the ancient field, graded doesn’t always = best. Many advanced collectors prefer coins that aren’t slabbed. You also need to consider that ancients have a lot of flan and strike variability that doesn’t always fit well with standardized grading used on modern coins. Should a poorly struck, but well centered example grade higher than a well struck coin that has devices off the flan? How do you factor a flan crack into a standard grade? How much of a reduction for Horn silver or crystallization, or uneven patina? Add in the fact that many ancients have been cleaned (which isn’t always considered detrimental as it is with modern coins) and you really have a lot of things to consider. I think you would do better finding a trustworthy dealer to help build a collection. You may pay a little more for the dealer’s knowledge and experience, but they can help a new collector navigate through the minefield. If you insist on buying graded coins, NGC seems to do a reasonable job, as others have said. Also, I recommend skipping ebay for buying high end ancients until you have some experience. It's too easy to lose a lot of money buying the wrong coin, even slabbed. Just my thoughts. Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]
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