I don't think it would be an issue, as they would have to not only replicate the coin itsef in the first place, but then replicate the unique markings of each individual coin.
storage is a lot more than $200 per Terabyte. hard drives are the cheapest part of the equation - the drive farm will require a serious server to implement, plus it will need a tape backup that can quickly do the job - a SAN is the most reliable system that would give you redundant data access and off line tape backup writing of the data. a small system without the tape backup would run $50,000. then you need the infrastructure to support the traffic - that's a backbone device and that's $75k then there is the issue of bandwidth, that is not cheap , esp when it's doing high res images - expect 2-3K per month for the bandwidth. then you have to have an IT staff, add in $300K for 2 full time and 1 part time sysops. recurring costs - 330k/year initial costs - 175K in hardware and configuration so the first year it's costing 1/2 a million. that is not counting the high res image processing. 1/2 a million is not minimal. 350k or so recurring costs is not minimal. -Steve - i do this for a living
REALITY CHECK!!! Pictures of each TPD'd Coin ain't gonna happen online for the mass public or even those (mass public) paying to see each companies graded material ...
what his company folks told me was theat they havent even statrted grading coins yet ( this was last week) go figure
So you mean to say there is going to be another TPG? David Lawrence Grading -- (DLG)... This is getting kinda ridiculous wouldn't you say?
Then I musta skipped right past that, LOL... You know slabs and me are like oil and water. But I would be surprised if they do actually post pictures of every coin they grade and make it available to the masses. If they do, then (Drum Roll) they might get a new customer... I've bought from David Lawrence in the past.
Chuckle, now THAT is NOT something I wanted to do, nor was my intention. But, in all seriousness I've purchased from DLRC in the past and they are one of the top three purchasers I try to buy from.
well bone, just my 2 cents usually you can get coins cheaper elsewhere then DLRC but yes i buy from them too and they are very good.
It all depends if I can have them use the my grades... Highly unlikely and I may be wrong, but I seem to recall (distant past) reading some TPGs experimented with that at one time. You know, putting coins into plastic with the owners grade and attribution on them, really just an encapsulation company is all. Ben
I happen to like the TPGs. I've never sent a coin to them, but if I can buy one slabbed for about what I would pay anyway, the grade opinion, holder, and authentication is a nice bonus. Edit: I would add that I also like the slabs because someday my kids will inherit the collection. Since they aren't really into collecting at this time, I want to give them a decent chance at selling them for close to a fair price. If a coin is in an MS63 PCGS holder, there is less of a chance for a fast-talking dealer with an elastic definition of honesty to try to tell them it's really an XF coin that has been cleaned.
As its a hobby for me, I prefer to do it all myself and not spend money I could put to another coin on getting other collectors to give an opinion. I have endeavored to learn everything I can regarding the coins I collect, where to buy, how and what to look for. There are also many ways to have knowledgeable people give their opinions for free. If a person finds them useful and worth using, more power to them. I was just saying that there will always people who wont bother with them or dont like the effect they have and will prefer to go another route.
