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Exbrit

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Everything posted by Exbrit

  1. Exbrit

    Tgp - Good And The Bad

    My concern is that the focus might (or probably has in some quarters) shift from the coin to the grade. So instead of people looking for a nicer coin, they seek a higher number.This to me is the inherent problem with all TPGS. Whether one is better or not is to me, a moot point. Protection of coins, conservation, authentication? I have no problems with any of those.But fuelling the 'number chasing' craze? They are all bad in that respect to my eyes and as Rob alludes, people need to learn to make up their own minds about a coin, instead of relying on someone else. IMHO..I totally agree that chasing the number is a problem. everyone should learn to grade and judge each coin on it's own merits. I also agree that registry sets tend to attract buyers of the number and not the coin. My argument is for those who are unsure of their grading skills and enjoy the hobby by collecting already graded coins - a universal grading system would be beneficial - as long as consistency in grading applies. I understand where you are coming from, but question the premise that there are many genuine collectors who are that unsure about their grading skills, yet are happy to spend hundred or even thousands on something they know nothing about. The idea that you can rely on an uncalibrated grader to accurately grade across both time and relative to their peers is a non-starter, so the ball is firmly in the court of the collector in my opinion. Why would anyone refuse to spend a tenner on a book which would clarify how to grade, yet spend many multiples on a coin. Frankly, I don't think it is too much to ask the uninitiated to become just slightly initiated. The genuine 'collector' who doesn't care or want to grade is an investor. Different rules apply at this point.Would you walk into a shop and buy a suit simply because it said 38 chest, 34 leg etc without trying it on? I think not. You would see if it was right for you. A few rudimentary ground rules for collectors is therefore not asking too much. Ah, now we move into a different - but closely related topic. What is a collector? Is he purely in it for the pursuit of completing or advancing his collection? Or is he in it not only to advance his collecting interests - but to benefit financially? Isn't every collector actually part collector and part investor?
  2. The Spink price of 1,100 in EF is what the Bentley Collection S.3886A sold for and is about twice the amount of the S.3886 in the same grade. For an R2 coin that seems about right to me. What was the earlier price note in Spink? What is an R2 coin? Are any of these accurate once you leave the comfort of a mint report?
  3. Exbrit

    Tgp - Good And The Bad

    My concern is that the focus might (or probably has in some quarters) shift from the coin to the grade. So instead of people looking for a nicer coin, they seek a higher number.This to me is the inherent problem with all TPGS. Whether one is better or not is to me, a moot point. Protection of coins, conservation, authentication? I have no problems with any of those.But fuelling the 'number chasing' craze? They are all bad in that respect to my eyes and as Rob alludes, people need to learn to make up their own minds about a coin, instead of relying on someone else. IMHO..I totally agree that chasing the number is a problem. everyone should learn to grade and judge each coin on it's own merits. I also agree that registry sets tend to attract buyers of the number and not the coin. My argument is for those who are unsure of their grading skills and enjoy the hobby by collecting already graded coins - a universal grading system would be beneficial - as long as consistency in grading applies.
  4. Exbrit

    Tgp - Good And The Bad

    A common grading scale is irrelevant if whatever is used is consistently applied. The failure to implement the latter is the reason for the scepticismAgree - consistency is the key, but a common scale is also needed for ease of the collector.
  5. I have a few sovereigns but not really a collection. My most interesting is S.3866A, which Spink until recently described as 'extremely rare'. I notice that the 2014 catalogue now gives prices for this coin which don't really support the 'extremely' description!
  6. Exbrit

    Tgp - Good And The Bad

    Good discussion. How long has CGS been around? I would assume not longer than PCGS. Why on earth would they go with a 100 point system? NGC has been around for a while and are expanding overseas. I would think a common rating scale and some cooperation between the TPGs would enhance business all around. Each having their own thiefdom may work well now - but in the long term for the hobby - a common grading scale is needed.
  7. That looks to be the same as the 2013 Spinks price. The S3866A is £350 in F, £750 in VF, £1100 in EF. No price given for UNCThat looks to be the same as the 2013 SPINKS price. Bentley collection in EF is extremely rare. I haven't looked to see if Marsh has it listed. Nice coin. I collect the series, all mints and varieties. Wish I had one of those.
  8. I only have the Spinks 2013 catalog - what is the new 2014 price for the S.3886A? I do not have that variety - just the 3886. Also - someone mentioned above about over dates and delays in shipping dies. I believe the 1872/1 over date occurred in Australian soveriegns because of a shipping delay of the dies from London. If I remember correctly the ship with the dies sank.
  9. Exbrit

    Some simple rules.

    Any older ones? 1817-1933?
  10. Picked up a 1925 SA Sovereign - EPN
  11. Hello Chris, just purchased your ePub book, but cannot open it with Safari or through the GDS iPad app. I sent you a PM with my order information. Please email it to me. Thanks
  12. Exbrit

    Collecting Software

    Coinmanage customer service stinks. It is easy to use, but they are missing some coins in their library.
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