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 Replies: 10 / Views: 2,165 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7375 Posts |
I'm new at this so please forgive me if I misstate or restate the obvious, or just get some things wrong.
Am researching TPGs for possibly (but not really likely) grading some coins in the future. I clicked on the PCGS website video that shows their grading process. I was probably expecting way too much, but IMO it was a less than impressive presentation. For as many coins as they grade, and for the $ they charge, I thought it would be a much larger operation. The video shows what looks like a few cubicles in a fairly small room, with graders handling coins with their bare hands. Granted I'm new at this, but I'm really nervous about handling my own proof coins let alone someone elses. They said in the video that if 2 out of 3 graders agree, that's it, as long as a final grader agrees too. I won't belabor the point. Am I being too hard on them? Thanks. Ed
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
Id personally rather they be in cheap cubicles like that then some awe inspiring offices. The more impressive the building the higher the fees would be. Its like the saying Vegas wasnt built paying out winners, the cost would just get passed on. That said if its the video I think it is that has to be 10 years old from the computers they show.
Edited by basebal21
10/19/2013 12:36 am
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Am I being too hard on them? In a word, yes. The fees you're paying (not to express agreement with how large they are) are not for infrastructure, they're for expertise. Plumbers don't come cheap, either. And I would far rather have a grader handling my $10,000 coin with bare hands than risk the loss of manual dexterity by wearing gloves. I've never handled a coin with gloves on, and never will. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7375 Posts |
Hummmm......alrightie then. Thanks. Ed
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Actually,  with the part about handling coins with their bare hands. It's certainly good prevention to don a pair of (cheap) cotton gloves--especially when handling proofs! Edited by DVCollector
10/20/2013 01:45 am
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
If you're a grader, you're going to have to pick that coin up. Take a Quarter. Lay it on the table. Put on a pair of cotton gloves, and pick it up. Do_no_let the cotton touch anything but the rim; if you do, you've just marred a Proof. Even cotton will mar a Proof. I'll bet many of you will find it surprisingly difficult to pick up a Dime-sized coin at all with cotton gloves on.
Eventually I'm going to make another coin show with CCF, and some of you will get to meet me there. When you do, look at my thumbs and forefingers. You'll note the nails on those fingers are a little longer than those on the others. I can pick up any coin and never touch anything but the rim; heck, I can pick up a coin and never touch it with flesh. Just fingernail.
Not that I do so; the whole point of eschewing gloves is tactile sensation. You won't even feel a coin slipping out of your grasp if you're wearing gloves. If I'm handling a raw $10k coin, I want the most-possible assurance that my grasp on that coin will never fail, and that isn't possible with gloves.
And face it - if you're handling the coin properly in the first place, do you even need gloves? Even in gloves, you sure wouldn't drag your fingertip across the face of the coin.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
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I can pick up any coin and never touch anything but the rim; heck, I can pick up a coin and never touch it with flesh. Just fingernail. with your point about losing dexterity with gloves. Sounds like you've got a better system there.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
It's just always seemed intuitive to me that I wouldn't want to insulate myself from a coin, so I evolved techniques to minimize what bare fingers could do to a coin. In my case, it helps that my hands don't sweat except under extreme circumstances; for others it might be a greater source of angst.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
I've never used gloves when handling coins before (well once or twice - see below). My good friend started and owned ICG after working at PCGS, he never wore gloves, I've never seen a grader at a TPG wear gloves. As long as you follow some handling guidelines, you should be fine: • always handle coins by the edges only, firm enough not to drop it • handle only over a jewelers tray or towel (in case you do). • Never talk while handling coins, saliva droplets from your mouth will find there way on to the surface and can cause spotting or tiny little carbon fly specks especially on copper/bronze coins. • Always wash and throughly dry your hands well before handling coins. Follow these rules you should be just fine, and never cause damage, wear or similar. If you are intent on wearing gloves get some correct sized, latex non powdered gloves, like surgeons wear. I have a bunch at my work at an animal hospital, I have used them when conserving coins, the tactile feel is pretty good when using them with coins, and will prevent any chance of finger prints on coins, I have used them when handling a nice proof coin but that is the only time I can remember doing so. I had a few proof silver and nickel three centers and was washing them in acetone, the gloves were a good way for me not to slip up and fingerprint one of those tiny little buggers. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440Edited by westcoin
10/27/2013 05:52 am
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Valued Member
United States
333 Posts |
Without drifting too far off topic...
SsuperDave, what are your feelings regarding nitrile gloves?
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
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SsuperDave, what are your feelings regarding nitrile gloves?
That would be the way I'd go if I were going to do it, as long as they were a good tight fit so you'd lose a minimum of sensitivity. |
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Replies: 10 / Views: 2,165 |
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Posted 10/19/2013 01:27 am
