A heads up to what's up.

It's interesting that we have as a topic of conversation, the issue of TPG coins in holders vs. buying the coin for the intrinsic value of the coin (eye appeal, quality). This website is devoted to those who collect coins that are graded and encapsulated.

We can have it both ways. I have purchased many coins, without TPG assistance in determining "value". Beauty, as they say is in the eyes of the beholder. Likewise I have purchased numerous coins graded by TPG's. Other than for reasons financial it makes little difference to me whaty is and what is not encapsulated nor does it really matter what is the TPG has graded the coin.

I have several MS-61's that I think are gorgeous, and very likely undergraded. The price of course was cheaper and the coin iteself is simply fanulous. Why would I purchase one graded MS-67 if I loved the MS-61?

Sadly the issue of TPG and the services they provide is largely irrelevant to those of us who use this site amd who have been assembling collections for a long period of time. The victims are the unsuspecting newbie who looks at a coin through the grade and hesitates to even look at the coin. Many a MS-67 is overgraded and the intrinsic value is lost on the newer collector.

While one is free to spend as much money on coins that are, perhaps overgraded, when holding it in their hands a sense of dissappointment likely becomes apparent. Even more sadly, the newer colector who purchases coins from the unscrupulous TPG's who grade anything and everything that moves as MS-70 or PR-70 DCAM lose out huge as well.

Where does all of this lead us one might ask? I beleive it is our responsibility as more seasoned collectors to help educate our newfound friends about the intrinsic value versus the monetary value of the collecting experience. There are many dangers and pitfalls out there to the newcomer and we should feel a compelling sense to protect our hobby (read way of life). While more and more people are joining us in our numismatic environment, we will most assuredly lose a large quantity of them when they get burned by unscrupulous dealers and TPGs.

Holders are important, to preserve, enhance and catelogue our nation's numismatic history. We cannot, however, forget that what is of true value is the history behind the plastic, that of the coin itself.

1977sikere