Who the heck is ANI? http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/19...hZ012QQitemZ6627998842QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW And why is ebay.. doing this live.. which gives it extra hoowah! <shrug> I'm looking at a real one.. and this isnt a real one http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8428765799&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1
Hmm, what would be an appropriate smilie to describe my brain trying to comprehend all of this alphabet soup... ahh, here we are... :goofer: I still struggle with the idea of slabbing at the rate that it appears to be occurring. Maybe it's just an emotional reaction, not a rational one. I suppose there isn't anything wrong at face value (if you'll pardon the pun) with the use of a reputable, professional organization to authenticate and verify the grading of a rare coin, but I have a hard time extending this to, say, recent proof and mint set issues. Ah, well, I guess I'm just not the "target market", and that's OK too.
oops.. sorry.. first link should work now it is a 1972-S PF70 DCAM nickels graded by ANI.. (the new name in premium grading services)
More power to anyone that can create a new reputable grading service. Look at a few ANI graded coins and see if they great reasonably accurately... jury's still out on them, as they have no reputation really. Which isn't the same as having a bad reputation... just that they're still a blank slate right now.
When did they arrive on scene. Heck everyone on ebay practically has their own grading services is ANI an online only company whose only goal is to offer coins they've graded for sale as opposed to making their money through the grading of submissions. If so, they are a no go in my book.
I guess the new business model in the numismatic world is: 1. Buy a $10 coin 2. Buy a $1 plastic holder 3. Combine 4. Sell for $20
It's the seller, not EBay, that decides to go online with a live auction. Usually they set the rules to favor live bidders with a chance to top any internet bid, so it's frequently an exercise in futility to bid online. His feedback is an even better reason to stay away!
