How Much Faith Do You Put In Grades From Slabbed Coins

if you got rid of believing the grade of the coin you would still have the slab to know what you have isn't a fake. The slabs would thus always have a point. I just think they shouldn't be so concrete for people thats all.
The grades are on the slabs and thats fine and dandy but I guess it gets me when most of the people have no idea what makes there coin the grade it is, and they just take into account what the slab says, which could be right on, or could vary by a slight margin higher or lower. The slabs are great, like I said I only sent one coin, but I did send a coin out to get slabbed. I will never crack it out of the slab even though it would fill a hole in my dansco but I don't really look at there grade. I would've graded the coin AG- G4 and they graded it G6
I like the fact that they graded it in my opinion high so I can sell it to a grade shopper but idk it seems wrong to sell it like that.

For the most part all of the major TPG's do a good job with their grades. Are they always right? NO! All experienced collectors find slabs they disagree with....even the TPG's often disagree with themselves and the others. Nonetheless, this is something we have to live with which is why everyone says "buy the coin".

What TPG's usually miss on is color and toning. Due to the prevalence of altered, AT and recolored coins on the market, they are far too quick to dismiss coins in the interest of saving face. It has come to a point that all coins they slab must meet certain criteria for look or it's bagged with a reason of their choosing. Does that mean your coin is "bad" or has a problem? Definately not! Of course this doesn't apply to obviously altered coins, but they are rejecting far too many natual, unaltered coins these days IMO.

IMO, the top 3 do pretty well on their grading. At least, of the few slabbed coins I've seen in person, I agreed with all the listed grades, +/- 1 grade level for the MS ones (which I'll attribute to my own inability to distinguish grades at that level).

As far as whether to buy slabbed or raw, it comes down to how much it's going to cost you. What you're buying with the slab is a few cents of plastic and the opinion of a 3rd party. That opinion can count for something in 2 cases: first, you're buying from a place like ebay where you don't get to see the coin in hand, and second, when you're trying to sell in a place like ebay.

I sent out my 1807 Capped Bust Half to NGC, it came back as 1807 Draped Bust. Had to go back and forth with them several times before they actually realized they were wrong. I still don't agree with their grade on it and the other 4 coins I sent with it(this isn't a wahhhh I want a higher grade to make my coins more valuable comment).

Conder101 that is funny! I wish I could express how funny I found that comment and how much I agreed with your sentiment!

I read a lot of negativity over T.P.G. coins, however, just think for a second that we are all Mortals. Our death can come in a very untimely fashion and most coin collectors do not have any next of kin to leave their collection to. Simple reason is that this Hobby is slowly dying and the next Generations coming up can't afford to partake in The Hobby of Kings! Kids today are more interested in Facebook, texting, X-Box 360, and doing drugs.
Therefore, this is why I stress T.P.G. graded coins are important, so who ever takes possession of your Hobby once you kick the bucket will have an easier time in deciphering what your Collection is worth. You would roll over in your grave if your next of Kin was given a fraction of what your collection was worth by a con-artist dealer.
And we all know there are lots of them around just waiting to prey on the misinformed.
So for a few bucks, it would be worth your while to slab your piece(s) if it has any value, at least this way when you are 6' under You can R.I.P.

Glenn

I see that in a few places that posters have mentioned the "top 3 TPGs". What are the top 3? Because when I buy a slabbed coin (which is seldom)I look for NGC or PCGS. Also, I have seen a lot of slabs from ANACS, but have only purchased one and I cracked it out for a Dansco Walking Liberty book.