Why do grading companies (most notably ANACS) give a coin a "genuine" heading, but offer nothing additional ? If the coin is genuine, wouldn't it follow to give more information as to why the coin didn't merit a grade other than a "details" designation?
The “big three” do give a brief description of what they say the problem is. I have had instances where one service said there was a problem and the other (PCGS and NGC days) didn’t. Sometimes you have to hunt to find the problem. I don’t know why ANACS does not give more information. I think they should. For example holed and plugged is a bigger problem than a light cleaning.
In earlier times, PCGS used to give just a “Genuine” without an additional “details” net grade. And before that, in the Bad Old Days, they wouldn’t even do that- if your coin had a problem, they’d return it in a bodybag (no slab), and thank you very much for your money- you were just outta luck. Getting a “details” grade in addition to the “Genuine”, and actually getting a description of the problem on the slab label, as they do nowadays, is an improvement.
I have a few very early pieces that have problems. Only way this working man could afford some of his dream coins. I knew they were genuine and I knew they had problems…. When I depart this spinning rock I don’t want my wife having to argue if an old piece is authentic. She isn’t a coin person. So I sent them in for slabbing and specifically requested the “genuine” label on them.
I've always wondered about that too. I've gotten coins back in the past with "genuine" but no reason given. Very frustrating because you don't know the defect. Often you're not seeing anything so it's a big puzzle. Bruce
