A Good Test Of The New Rules.

I know where you're coming from, but I think these three walk the line without going over it. I don't believe there's any prohibition against grading your own raw (meaning not "certified," i.e., graded by one of the authorized companies) coins or listing a grade in the auction, thus making them "graded" (but not "certified") and listing them as such, as long these criteria are met:


A raw or uncertified coin is defined as any coin not graded by one of the authorized grading companies. Sellers are permitted to list these items on ebay under the following conditions:

* A numeric grade is not included in the title of the listing, such as MS-65, VF-25, etc. A numeric grade may only be included in the description of the listing.
* The grading company or price guide is not referenced in the title or description.
* A dollar value (even if personal opinion) is not included in the title or description.


In other words, ebay presents a specific definition of what "certified" and "raw/uncertified" mean, and how these coins may be listed, but does not do the same for the term "graded" nor specify who may or may not "grade" coins, as long as they are listed within the above guidelines.

I believe these auctions fall within those rules, and I also believe they are graded (though quite poorly). It's the same as if the guy said "slabbed" in the title. Just search "slabbed" in US coins and see what kind of stuff you come up with! And it's 100% true; they absolutely are slabbed.

I don't believe that allowing these auctions to run is inconsistent with ebay's new policy on the matter.

This may seem like splitting hairs, but that's my impression of the way ebay operates.


To wrap this up, finally...

In a way, I don't disagree with calling these graded. Grading wasn't born with the TPG's and ebay, and they don't have any exclusive claims to the term or the process. Certification, though, and its accompanying guarantees to the coin owner, are a different story and it's good that they're taking steps to distinguish the two concepts.

These auctions only have a couple hours left to run, so they may not be the best test of their policy, anyway. We'll just have to see what happens.

You are correct bitters, the problem in the case of listings in which the coins are called "graded" or "slabbed" in the title is not with the listings, but with the rule.

Since the rule doesn't explicitly say that any coin not in one of the acceptable TPG holders CAN'T be called 'graded' or 'slabbed'--even though the term is meant to suggest 'professionally' graded or slabbed--it follows that sellers will call any old crap in plastic 'graded' and 'slabbed.'

The rule is the problem, not the listings. Because of this, I feel the new rule is much less useful than it ought to be.

quote:

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Scumbuster was here trying hard to expose numismatic fraud and stop ebay violations.
Please help me by also reporting ebay infractions using this form.
If there are comma separated auction numbers above just copy and paste them into the form!

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I never caught on to your screen name until now. Keep up the good work!

LOL! Scumbuster. You're awesome.