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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;09S-V.D.B, post: 175782, member: 4379&quot;]My opinion of third-party grading is neutral. </p><p><br /></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; The goal of TPGs was to help clean up the numismatic market of the 60&#039;s and 70&#039;s, which was tainted by so many counterfeit, cleaned, and atrociously overgraded coins that many collectors decided to quit the hobby. They succeeded in that aspect, but introduced a new set of problems. Now, plastic is seen by some hobbyists as a replacement for education - of course, nothing can replace learning to grade for yourself, being able to detect counterfeits, and just being knowledgeable about what you chose to collect.&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp; I could go on with a long list of TPG related problems, such as &#039;the crackout game&#039;, slabbing errors that sometimes cost uninformed buyers a lot of money, and the SGS-like &#039;grading companies&#039;, though it all boils down to education. The unknowledgeable buyers were screwed back in the 60&#039;s and 70&#039;s by raw junk, they are easily parted with their money today, and they will waste their money in the future on junk, unless they decide to educate themselves. </p><p><br /></p><p>Sorry if I strayed from the topic a little <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie3" alt=":(" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /> Thanks for the contest![/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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