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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;earlyrarecoins, post: 1293702, member: 15054&quot;]I want to discuss something with you about grading, and how you choose pieces to buy.&nbsp; It will change the way you collect.&nbsp; It is a must for the serious numismatist.</p><p><br /></p><p>The 70 point scale system is not sufficient for an expert collector.&nbsp; In reality there are dozens, maybe hundreds of inbetween grades.&nbsp; The 70 point scale is for businessmen to easily put a label on their coins, without having to write paragraphs about the coin in order to sell it.&nbsp; So they round it off to a nice number, which is a terrible way for an expert to look at things, and we here are experts.&nbsp; It is like selling a used car and telling the buyer that the car &quot;runs well.&quot; There are many degree of &quot;running well.&quot; And the prospective buyer should look under the hood before he buys.&nbsp; Furthermore, the &quot;expert&quot; who is grading may not be such an expert. An axiom from here on in is that we do not trust the grading of any other individual other than ourselves.</p><p><br /></p><p>So from now on, you are not collecting based on a 70 point scale.&nbsp; Instead, you are going to be an expert, and pick certain features on a coin you are looking for.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>You are not looking to buy an XF Barber Half.&nbsp; You are looking for a Barber Half with a complete headband.&nbsp; You are looking for full wing tips, full lines on the shield.&nbsp; You are examining the rim to see that there are zero rim nicks. Maybe you will find one small rim nick acceptable. That is your choice.&nbsp; Maybe you are looking for a clean cheek.</p><p><br /></p><p>If you are assembling a Seated Quarter set, maybe you will seek out a full liberty. Full rims on both sides.&nbsp; You get the idea.</p><p><br /></p><p>You are no longer rounding off on a 70 point scale.&nbsp; The &quot;expert&quot; graders WILL NEVER get it right all the time.&nbsp; There will be variability in grading, and the 70 point system itself is flawed.</p><p><br /></p><p>Write down on a piece of paper the features that you are looking for. Learn them well, and then go inspect the coin you are looking to buy.&nbsp; Determine the price you are willing to pay for a coin with features that you desire.&nbsp; Disregard the &quot;grade&quot; that the coin dealer puts on his holder.&nbsp; If you can get it for the price you are willing to pay, then his grading opinion doesn&#039;t matter.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is the key to collecting, and the end of limitless arguing over third party grading.&nbsp; And you will be an expert in your field.&nbsp; And you will be more confident in the coins that you do hold in your collection.</p><p><br /></p><p>That&#039;s enough for now.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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