Edward Plato

This seems like as good as place as any to ask, I plan on getting a few coins graded at the FUN show in Orlando July, is there special deals going on, special submission paperwork, on-site grading? If there is no special paperwork involved would it be beneficial to submit the paperwork online beforehand? Thanks in advance and see you in July!

I'm anxious to see how many chime in on this subject, pros and cons. I did a google search and they have a terrible reputation but nothing is recent, all from 2018 and back. It appears there are only 2 tpg's that can be trusted, even though they both have had numerous mistakes and complaints, not to mention the exorbitant fees. I have come across a few INB slabbed coins, they don't hesitate to mark a 70 on a coin, that's for sure. Somehow they got on the wrong side of Ebay also because they won't even recognize them. The coin is below, I do see imperfections, just not sure if they are the case or the coin. I hold this coin next to another graded by one of the big boys at a 69 or even a 68 and see absolutely no difference, hence the subjectivity. comments?

I would be interested in The Indian Head cents, let me know.

Thank you all for your input, based on what I have read it appears I have the same scenario with this coin ?

Actually, I did screen way more than 99 more of them and this was the only one with any hint of doubling.......eyes hurt! One more question, it is the large date, correct?

So thankful I consulted the pros before venturing on my spending spree.

which I assume is worth nothing ?

I have a tendency to get all excited sometimes, before that occurs could someone tell me if I have something special here?

More prima donnas, they should run for office. I do know the prices on the items I want to focus on, I can't afford to lose focus, might start buying something really expensive. The grading dilemma I have presented will not go away, goes back to simple supply and demand. Once the consumer gets tired of the bull and stops buying things will change. My best bet for peace of mind is going back to the books, forget the slabs.

Maybe this was before Ebay, not sure, but it sure makes making a buck extremely difficult. Case in point the above coins, the 70 will sell for above 500, the 69 will go for low 300's. I'm not in it for the money, just like to offset my purchases. Not only that, how can anyone hope for young kids to get involved in the hobby, totally cost prohibitive, one frivolous charge after another. I am getting off point here, just someone please explain to me what service can be attained without an explanation of services rendered...anything at all ?? A doctor will explain why you are sick, a mechanic why your car is dying, the list goes on, all except for the prima donnas!!

Thread definitely got derailed, I apologize for opening a can of worms, I just wanted to vent and show others the coins, obviously no one can possibly grade a coin via photographs. Look, I don't want to get rich from selling coins on ebay, just want to offset what I'm buying and anything new with a 69 grade might as well put it in the book. I always thought the grading guidelines was to start every coin at a 70 and start subtracting for flaws.....WITH A 5 POWER MAGNIFICATION !!! I think these guys are using a 20 power because I am unable to find anything, and since there is no explanation I haven't a clue what I'm looking for. There I go ranting again, bad Ed. Maybe, just maybe, after grading so many coins in a day by the end of the day they may look a bit fuzzy....just sayin'

Coinbuf, thanks, you scared me !! Luckily the spots are on the case, not the coins. I do agree with other comments, a 69 is a pretty nice coin, and if it was a 1950 Franklin I would love it, but not something fresh out of the mint, which again I know there is no guarantee. I suspect the big players who send in the monster boxes maybe get back 60 to 70 % perfect grades, again I feel an explanation is warranted. Admittedly I am not even small potatoes to these graders, maybe someday that will change. I hear time and time again how "conservative" they are, I absolutely do not want that; give me accurate. Someday technology will take over the grading process, in the meantime they are literally rolling in the dough.

Well, they got me again, safe to say it will be the last time, ready to move on to greener pastures. I sent both of these coins out at the same time, after going thru a major fiasco with the US mint's website, and of course they took awhile to get back, which by the way I have absolutely no problem with that. When they did return I see 2 different grades, OUCH. I have stared at these 2 coins with all types of magnification and cannot see any difference at all. Of course there never is any explanation for the grading, just there it is, take it or leave it. I am already paying extra for additional services such as holders, labels, expedited shipping, what's next. At this point might as well charge me extra and supply an explanation of the grading. Anyhow, I'm done venting, and done here.

JKK, thanks so much, after reading that detailed procedure, looks like mine are just going back in a book and I'll purchase the nice ones I want. I had a 1909 vdb which I scrubbed, major mistake, better off accepting the coin for what it is.

I understand completely, text and emails, the downfall of our communication skills. That much being settled, the brown Kennedy is the first one I ever saw like that. Upon further inspection I do see considerable pitting so maybe this was buried. The other Kennedy still puzzles me but not going to dwell on it, just use it to purchase a donut. Thanks Again