Just For Fun Three

Personally, I have never had much interest in the grading of coins, as I consider it to be highly subjective, yet I see people who will pay money for their coins to be graded by others. Why, if it is such a seemingly simple task to do on one's own? Is it merely a materialistic thing, based on dreams of future profit?

I have also asked (on other sites), 'How can a person tell if a coin has been cleaned?' A wide variety of answers ensued, but generally, it came down to experience.

Most folks agree that it is much easier to grade and determine originality with coin in hand.

I think also that 'most ' folks (and I could be wrong about this), know that 'proof is not a grade, but is a method of coining. The circulated proof that I posted was deemed as everything but proof by everyone except Dave. (Yes, that was a tricky one, but may serve as a something to remember).

I think that 'some' folks are also aware that what may be viewed as a weak strike may actually be inherent in the die rather than a weak strike, and is taken into consideration by the TPG.

I realize that some folks buy many of their coins from online sources, either because they feel they can get a better deal than from a local B&M, or because there are no coin shops in their locality.

There was a reason why I chose to post 15 graded coins rather than 15 raw ones. I have my own conceptions on the topic of grading, and it revolves around the person rather than the coin.

There are folks who will, (based on an online image), disagree with a TPG that has already graded a coin in hand. This rolls my eyes back in my head.

There are folks who will determine cleaning based on online images, (sure, sometimes it is obvious) but of 15 coins posted, only one was is cleaned, and it was not picked out as such....... yet several others that are not cleaned, were given that label by the viewers.

I think that some folks cautiously avoided giving opinions based on the fact that these were graded coins, and the knowledge that online images are in fact very difficult to judge.

I might think twice about buying raw coins from online sources if possible, but if absolutely necessary, take into consideration what a person may or may not have learned from this. Can you really trust your own grading prowess when it comes to online images? Should you 'always' buy the coin and not the holder (based on online images? I know that I am fooled as often as not by on line images.......thinking that a scratch might be a crack, or rim wear might be a Cud.

Yes, these threads culminated in an experiment to substantiate my own beliefs on grading and the folks that do that grading of on line images.

edited for spelling

Okay Dave, but just in preventative self defense, let me say that this was merely an experiment on my own part to measure my own notions. No conclusive results achieved (even though it may have sounded as though I feel that way).

I shall apprehensively wait then Dave. I like the idea of a new thread, (sort of to refocus the spotlight).

by the way you are correct, I have never quite heard it put like that before but so true none the less.....Proof is not a grade its a process or something like that...something that can easily be mixed up with the thought of grading a coin...well put

never would I boydcott you...we think very much alike...always questioning those areas that don't make any sence, I'll pm you my number when I get back about a half hour...