Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;National dealer, post: 13562, member: 487&quot;]One important factor that allows the grading companies to grow each year is that people by nature are lazy. We work 40 plus hours a week, deal with customers, employers, friends, family and a host of others throughout our days. Finally, we decide to pick up a hobby to take our minds off of the daily grind. For each personal reason, coins are picked. Seems easy enough on the surface, plus adds the seductive charm of buying and selling money.</p><p>Mainstream articles in the papers help to spread the ease of collecting. &quot;Collector finds million dollar coin in closet&quot;, or &quot;collector gets $220,000 for bill found in attic&quot;. </p><p>We begin our quest with the least effort possible. Most jumped onto the internet auction bandwagon and hear that some coins can be bought at bargain prices. So we jump to the first price guide that we can find. Not knowing that these are retail prices, or that they are not updated regularly. We scour the auction houses again until the underpriced coin is found. Looking at the certified name on the holder, how can we go wrong? </p><p><br /></p><p>How many of you have started in such a fashion?</p><p><br /></p><p>Numismatics is the study of coins. This is different than being a collector of coins, or being a dealer of coins. </p><p>Numismatists can be spotted with ease. They collect like a dealer but with the passion of the collector. They know and understand the many aspects of what the coin business can be.</p><p><br /></p><p>When grading services came along, they allowed collectors to use their first choice. Laziness. Now collectors do not have to study, or grade, or authenticate. All they have to do is buy the plastic. Investors flocked to the hobby when plastic became the collecting rave. </p><p><br /></p><p>As a dealer, I have to play the game by the rules given. This means we have offer the plastic that our customers want. Most do not engage in our numismatic classes, or heed the advice of buying the coin not the plastic. They want ease and simplicity. This is exactly what the slabs offer.</p><p><br /></p><p>GDJMSP has spread great advice over the years about this service.&nbsp; His experience has taught him what grading means. ( I will add, a great eye for coins).</p><p><br /></p><p>A holder with MS-64 on it doesn&#039;t tell the whole story.&nbsp; All MS-64 coins are not equal. In today&#039;s world many dealers and collectors are adding phrases to their coins. PLUS,PLUS,PLUS, or Premium Grade, Pop Top, Gem, and many others. This is because our current standards are no longer meeting the needs. </p><p>All &quot;numismatists&quot; know how the grading system works and why. There really isn&#039;t much argument on that point. </p><p>The ANA has suggested grading the graders. This hot topic found many opinions. Change sweeps our hobby despite what people want. Some good, some bad. Grading companies overall have been good for the hobby in my opinion. </p><p>Magazines and organizations are driven by money. Until the collecting community stands up and demands better, we will continue on our current path.</p><p><br /></p><p>With all of this rambling almost done, let me add just one more thought. </p><p><br /></p><p>Knowledge and study will allow you to bypass the system to a certain degree. The road less traveled can lead you in different directions, but will still get you to the same destination (the overall enjoyment of collecting coins).[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in