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Message:: [QUOTE="Insider, post: 5127187, member: 24314"]baseball21, posted: "Getting rid of the hard line doesn't mean easier standards." Come on.  This statement is absolute <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie30" alt=":bucktooth:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.  The book I mentioned above is called Grading Coins: A Collection of Readings.  As far back as 1892 (and possibly before), there was a HARD LINE for Uncirculated coins.  Since then, the Century + old and well-defined standard for Uncirculated has been changed along with changes to other grades (AU was added and took the place of the long-established Extremely Fine condition), that indicates that the standards got easier!  More wiggle room was introduced and coins that are actually AU can be graded as high as MS-63 today!  Come on.  We all "Play the Game."  We all know what's going on.  The difference is that some of us don't try and sugar coat 100% observable FACTS with nonsense.  The professionals who get my respect can look me in the eye and point out everything "wrong" with a coin - friction wear, hairlines, bagmarks, etc. and still explain why it deserves to be graded a "market acceptable" MS-65.  They'll gladly buy the coin at that grade.  Their PERSONAL hardline standards don't change - they just "play the game" and don't spit out "oatmeal for the uninformed."[/QUOTE]