Grading Companies

With due respect to all of the above- It seems to me too many of us have been caught up in this third party grading- IMHO this was initiated by the SNOB investors. If I am a true blue collector-and as such really want what is available now in quality type coins, I really do not need a third party. We need to hone up our own grading skills. Having been avid in this hobby since 1952- I find that I can grade equal or better than the third party grading companies. (Some are atrocious) Slabs are cumbersome-bulky- I like the type albums- or customized capitol plastic holders- Well, not wishing to offend anyone- it is always to each his own. But as for me- I will stick to the RAW coinage. MY grading is as good or better than theirs. I still have my Brown & Dunn grading book (Priced at 50cents) which first came out in 1958. I find that nothing has really changed from their established standards- except some new ones have been invented- and that is the MS (Mint State Grade system. If the coin has appeal to you-athestic and beautiful detail then buy it- I guess it is my age- Because when I go to a show and I see how some of these people are tossing their money around for slabs when there are dealers who still have the same grades in RAW for a fraction of the cost of the slabs. So forgive if I seem obnoxious- My son, says to me now and then, "Dad, I know about your good ole days, leave it be." But, I too am in that group who doesn't always follow sound advice. When we went to a club meeting, we could buy Gold double eagles,Eagles or quarter eagles for (Double face value) yep! Sob sob. But in spite of all that is said and done, I have said for at least 50 years that this is the Hobby of Kings. Knight # XXVIII

Hey, no SGS? hah hah hah.