Getting coins graded... (whats the point?)

You're right on! Or, if there is sentimental value to the coin and you want it slabbed for safe keeping.

As an option, submit to ANACS, Their prices for grading are low and still hold a decent reputation.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

IMHO, it's never worth getting a coin graded. I crack all coins out of slabs and will never send one for grading regardless of it's value.

 

And buy the best you can afford. There are few exceptions that you should purchase a coin knowing you will want to upgrade it later.

 

Unless it's a mama coin forget it

 

I would say I average about $40-$50 per coin for grading. Blah.

 

Unfortunately there are many very deceptive counterfeits out there in many denominations and "varieties"; in this latest climate I have advised folks to keep purchased coins in their slabs due to the previously cited guarantee of authenticity, unless you are willing to take the risk or are an expert in your own right. This guarantee has saved major $'s for several collectors who got their purchase price back with the TPG's buy-back.

 

I appreciate the position and recognize that counterfeits are a significant problem. On the specifics, the dealers I purchase from provide a guarantee of authenticity which I am comfortable with. Specific to my area of collection, the TPG's do not offer authenticity guarantees on ancient coins so they provide no value on that front.

However, from a larger prospective, if you believe that point has been reached in early copper, and I recognize both the degree of that shift and your expertise, then it would sadly lead me to stop collecting.

 

Thank you for the response; I didn’t realize the TPG’s don’t guarantee authenticity for ancients, but I know nothing about the series either!

To your point, I buy rare early copper from known sellers, but as you, research my additions prior to purchase. When I do buy slabbed copper (and it appears the market itself is driving towards that direction more than copper enthusiasts want…) I do even more due diligence prior to purchase, obviously including verifying the cert on-line and any available images. I unfortunately own several varieties in holders now determined to be fakes.

The TPG’s are in my experience becoming more and more suspicious of early copper submissions and cautious, particularly for “surface challenged” examples that will end up in “details” holders at best, and this area appears to be the one of largest risk of potential counterfeits- many submitted examples end up being returned as “questionable authenticity”…

I have talked with several early copper collectors who state they are getting out of the hobby due to the counterfeit issue, but others are more determined to learn more about their particular collecting area to become more expert themselves, and also join the appropriate coin club to garner the collective knowledge and experience available (like I am a member of EAC).

I would only send any of my raw coins in for certification like others have stated in this post- if it is a relatively higher value/ rarer variety that I had confidence in prior to submitting (I will always have my own determination of grade and condition in my mind), a coin that I intend to sell in the general marketplace any time in the future, or seeking confirmation that the coin is or isn’t authentic with prior conversation with a contact at the TPG.