Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="Midas, post: 195117, member: 2761"]I will never, ever purchase any raw coins "sight-unseen" ever again, and hence, the reason why many coins are making their way into slabs.  Matter of fact...if I do see a raw coin at a show, I immediately take it over to the TPG's so they can offer me their opinion on it...especially if it is a key date.   Many times, the graders at ICG and ANACS saved my behind with comments like, "Nice whiz job...dipped and retoned...added mint mark" and on some occasions, "Nice coin" The buyer wants to be assured of what they are getting and unless you have a trained eye and know exactly what you are doing, the risk falls all on your shoulders.  I read one article where I believe it was Scott Travers who said, "If a key date coin has not been slabbed by now, you really need to find out why?" I totally agree.  Think about this...would you buy a 1909-S VDB 1c or 1916-D Merc unless it was authenticated and certified?  Q. David Bowers wrote once that over HALF of the 1916-D Merc dimes he saw raw on one given coin show floor were fakes...mostly with added "D" mint marks! Look...buyers want to know what they are getting within a grading point (or two) and are willing to pay for that peace of mind.  Also, if I have to sell, I want to be able to supply any potential buyer with a list of what I have so I can turn over my collection as quickly and profitably as possible.[/QUOTE]