NGC and PCGS are making big investments in grading services in Asia, with grading taking place IN the host countries where they are setting up offices. Most graded coins that I see when I go to Seoul in the summer are in NGC slabs. East Asia (China, really) is the next big world market for "leisure"/luxury goods, and not just for coins. Supposedly. But remember that everyone thought Japan was supposed to supposed to take over the world in the 80s? I remember how Japanese-language education was popular here in the States back then. Who's trying to learn Japanese now? Our predictions about Asian economies don't always pan out... It seems China and the other Asian nations are facing some economic downturns lately. I've an acquaintance who owns a currency shop in Seoul, and he says the bad economy there is really hurting his business.
Both NGC and PCGS will be at the Singapore Coin Fair next week. I am interested in seeing how much business they are getting. Have not seen anything about grading onsite.
