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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Morgandude11, post: 1455261, member: 37839&quot;]Doug, I certainly understand your expertise and respect it.&nbsp; This was no intent to undermine your agility--in fact, as a 40 year collector, it it a sign of respect, as you obviously have eagle eyes.&nbsp; Is that a fantastic trait to have for the hobby?&nbsp; For sure, especially if one deals in raw coins, ungraded lots, etc.&nbsp; I&#039;d call myself, despite my years of experience, an &quot;average&quot; grader.&nbsp; Could I spot the difference between a 64 and 65?&nbsp; Most of the time, but I have been wrong, particularly in the &quot;guess the grade&quot; threads, as I have been looking at pictures of coins, as opposed to the coin in hand.&nbsp; In my opinion, and I don&#039;t know how many people share it, the mint has gotten so good with modern proofs, that it is hard to catch the one tiny flaw that turns a seemingly 70 into a 69.&nbsp; If I were doing that all day long, perhaps I would have better luck with that, but being honest, I don&#039;t find that easy to do.&nbsp; With MS coins as opposed to Proof issues, it is a little bit easier, as they aren&#039;t screaming with cameo, reflectivity and contrast to be able to see microscopic flaws.&nbsp; Still, I do think you are right in terms of the &quot;one grade&quot; difference--is it easy for ANY collector to spot a one increment difference in grade?&nbsp; No it isn&#039;t, and for that reason, I am happy to have TPGs as my shotgun rider in the stagecoach.&nbsp; You did make a key point about requisite experience, but then again, I have been doing this for 40 years, and perhaps have become over-reliant on a third party to make the ultimate decision for me.&nbsp; Is this bad or good for the hobby?&nbsp; That is a hard question to answer.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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