Which E will it be...

I'll be honest and say that when slabs first gained momentum I was a naysayer. I believed that the 10 MS grades were largely indistinguishable and that third party grading was just a way to get more money for especially key date coins and ultra grades. What I didn't realize was that buying raw coins without an "education" was and still is an official warrant to rip off. It's like wearing a big sign on your back - "I don't have a clue what I'm doing, so it's OK to sock it to me!"... and believe you me I have been had on many coins.

My education is continuing every day, but with NGC's expert "advice" I feel as though I am now a connoisseur of fine coins and much less likely to be ripped off. I find that dogs and cleaned coins now stand out to me in dealer inventory and that even slight problem coins, like AU coins trying to be sold as BU coins also are recognizable.

In summary, to compete in the registry it can get quite expensive, but the grading fees have made my life as a collector far cheaper by discerning the difference between an almost gem and a true gem. It's very rewarding to turn less than $20 into a slabbed $500 coin.

For me it will be ENJOYABLE!! NGC has replaced ANA for me - I've found more friends here than in any other coin forum!

The picture below is a raw Semi-Gem (MS 65 or so) but with gorgeous toning!

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