dragon

<<<  In my opinion (others will disagree) almost all of the coins are overgraded. Here's an example that is supposed top be "MS-65." You can decide if a common date Eagle of that grade should have deep cuts and bumps in prominent visual areas -- or, in fact, anywhere.  >>>

I agree with RWB 110%.   From the small sampling of coins from this collection I've seen online and 1 or 2 in person, I felt they were pretty much all extremely liberally graded by at least 1 full point if not more.   

On 8/22/2023 at 11:41 AM, VKurtB said:

There are no neighborhoods between O'Hare and Rosemont. But I agree about Rosemont. It's time to bury it as a WFoM site.

I would strongly disagree.  Chicago is centrally located within the US and also has one of the largest airports (O'hare Intl.) within 5-10 minutes from the convention. The Stephens Convention Center is also huge, affordable, has numerous high end restaurants very nearby as well as theatres, a large casino, public transportation, etc. There are also numerous hotels literally right across the street and the Hyatt Regency is actually connected to the convention center.  The actual neighborhood in Rosemont where the show is held is NOT a bad area and the convention center has tons of parking, shuttle service, good security and IL is also a coin tax friendly state.   

Very nice, congrats RWB!

By far my favorite 2 books are Wayne MIllers The Morgan and Peace Dollars Textbook and Bowers United States Gold Coins an Illustrated History. I've had both of them for decades and still like to look at them even today. 

On 3/24/2022 at 10:47 AM, RWB said:

How do members think the authentication and grading companies will fare in the future?

IMO the grading services will fare pretty well down the road as long as the mint continues to spew forth tons of various every year in addition to all of the bullions coins, and if they also continue to come up with new grading gimmicks and promote their registry nonsense. 

<<<  Further the word "Specimen" is undefined and has no meaning.  >>>

That's my big question in this thread.......so what does PCGS actually mean by 'specimen'?  Maybe some here confuse the term with BMP?

When I see a super common low value coin like a 1940's Merc in MS64 sell for $200.00 because it has a gold sticker on it I really have to laugh, but I suppose it's really no worse than the vintage holder mania that has been around for many years now. 

<<< Is this "CAC" thing a load of *spoon* or what? >>>

In a word....yes.  

I always find these 'Professional Coin Grading Screwups' threads entertaining. 

IMO coins like common Roosevelt dime this are a prime example of why pcgs does more harm to the rare coin hobby than good.

Pose the question to even the most ardent, hardcore collector of Roosevelt dimes and ask what they'd pay for this dime out of its plastic holder and you'll see my point. I think most collectors would rather get 'hosed' from an unscrupulous dealer buying a raw dime that's been whizzed and retoned as an MS65 as opposed to paying ten grand for this coin in it's pcgs holder with the MS68FB grade attached. Is this coin an example of how pcgs certification protects the collector? JMO