Went to a local coin show this weekend. Just wondering what you all think about coins in their holders with no grade, but a price. It's not to hard to figure out, based on price, what the seller is thinking about the grade based on having a red book or something like that. I just like to see the grade on the coin holder when holding and evaluating it to more easily match price and perceived grade. Don't always see it this way, but usually every coin show I go to will see a few. Why do these guys do that? If they can put a price on the coin, they must have a grade in mind.
Some guys don't mark their coins with a grade because they know whatever they mark it, somebody will disagree. And often enough that disagreement alone is enough to lose the sale. So instead of marking them with a grade, they just mark it with a price. That way potential buyers will just say to themselves, yes or no based on price alone. Others won't ever mark a coin with a price, at least not one you can read, they use their own code. Instead they will estimate the grade in their opinion, or not even do that. Instead allowing you to judge the coin on your own and then inquire as to price. What I'm trying to get across is that there are several theories as to which way is best from a dealer's perspective and they do what they think works best for them. After all the bottom line is that the only thing that matters is if you the buyer think you will be happy with the coin regardless of the dealer says the grade may be, or what the price is.
I'd rather see a price on the 2X2 than the grade. If I look at the coin I can decide if I think it is worth the price marked on it, but having a grade on it doesn't tell me anything about if we are close, far apart, or whether the seller is dreaming and I'd be wasting my time asking about it. Besides, his opinion on the grade isn't important, my opinion is. Because it is my opinion that is going to be the deciding factor in whether or not I buy it.
