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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Paul M., post: 2404876, member: 73165&quot;]This, x1000.&nbsp; I collect coins, not plastic.&nbsp; (Well, mostly not plastic... I&#039;ve considered buying a couple of coins in interesting slabs as exonumia pieces, but that&#039;s not really relevant to my point.)</p><p><br /></p><p>OTOH, I am very glad that TPG companies exist, and that there are good dealers supporting the hobby.&nbsp; As far as I&#039;m concerned, a slab is a strong indication of authenticity, and the grade provides a starting point for a conversation about price.&nbsp; That is it.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I personally grade every coin I&#039;m considering purchasing.&nbsp; If it&#039;s a slabbed coin, sometimes that matches up with the label on the holder; sometimes not.&nbsp; Dealers I purchase from have the same attitude.</p><p><br /></p><p>I&#039;ve said this before, but what I look for in a dealer is a broad inventory of certified, raw, mint state, circulated, key dates, and type coins within their specialty.&nbsp; I also like if they have some oddball or interesting items in addition to your everyday/average coins.&nbsp; For instance, maybe they have a pattern coin or two, or some interesting exonumia items.</p><p><br /></p><p>This tells me that they love coins and have the knowledge to purchase a variety of things.&nbsp; Those are the type of people I want to support and have supporting my hobby.&nbsp; Some of those people submit coins to TPGs, and some do not.&nbsp; And, it makes not a whit of difference to me. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />&nbsp; All I&#039;m after as a hobbyist and numismatist is a great coin at a fair price&nbsp; (rather than a fair coin at a great price).&nbsp; Give me that, and I will be happy.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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