For Those Who Like The Purty Ones..1776-1976 Quarter

Worth 25 cents. Normal coin.

Okay thank you all!! :)

Thank you for AU-55! :)

Another thing to ask yourself is why you want to get it slabbed to begin with.

Remember the TPG (Third Party Grading) company marketer's WANT everyone to embrace their products - its to be expected since they are a business.

Some people enjoy collecting slabbed coins b/c they like the slabs. This is fine b/c a hobby is about fun. Unfortunately though there are people who come into the hobby, see tons of slabs on ebay, and just assume slabbing is a natural part of the hobby, what everyone does, and what should be done to every "better" coin.

Nothing could be further from the truth. You will find that on this forum people are warned to "buy the coin and not the slab."

None of the "accepted" TPGs grade coins the same way. So which experts are more expert? Each company would say they are the best.

Each of the companies has their own method/training methods for their graders. A coin submuitted to one company is not guaranteed to be given the same grade as when sent to another compabny. In fact some people know which companies will give higher grades for specific series and so take advantage of that to get a better label.

Even if you would break a coin out of, let's say, a PCGS slab, and send that same coin right back to PCGS for grading, you are never guaranteed the same grade. If you take the time to read their own documentation (who does?) you will find The companies themselves say their grading is not a science - its an art.

Anyone can grade coins with with practice (I can give a reference from former PCGS president Ron Guth). There is no magic here, and, in fact, its not difficult to find problems with the product.

Things like the following on our forum can be found without too much trouble.



Here is the original post of the above:
http://goccf.com/t/322364


Here is another link. Scroll down and you will find more graphics with some major problems of slabs labeled "missing designer initials" (NO FG) on Kennedy halves that were NOT form the actual dies where the FG was forgotten and the beginner's error of mistaking die polishing for the actual error slipped past all the trained "experts."

http://goccf.com/t/339017&whichpage=1

Or...here is the direct link to the grpahics mentioned for the last link:
http://goccf.com/t/339017#2900582

Sinking money into their companies, rather than your own collection, is a legitimate goal for these companies (nothing wrong with business). And you can lose a lot of money unless unless you understand the entire reality of the situation.

Again, if you like slabs - do the homework and go for it! I am NOT knocking people for enjoying slabs. These slabs actually make for an impressive looking collection and I can understand why someone would be drawn to them.

I am encouraging collectors to realize that the marketers for these companies have done their jobs very well in helping the public to believe that not only is their business essential, but that their product is rock solid. The facts say otherwise.

I agree Earle42!! Thank you!!
And thanks TJLang and Coinfrog!