While Gene's exaggerated post may have been a little bit tounge-in-cheek, I thought that some of you might like to read two "real" Letters To The Editor" which speaks for itself, that appeared on page 10 of the June 29, 1999 issue of "Numismatic News" the second largest weekly paper for coins, medals, tokens, paper money, and a few chip collectors.

"GRADING TAKES TWO TRIES"
"In regard to the letter written by Mr. Raven on May 4, I paid $99 to send four coins to the same third-party grader. Three coins were graded properly, but the fourth was undergraded. I called the company and explained my problem. The spokesperson for the company said they never make mistakes (sound like familiar chipper braggadocio) due to the fact that several different graders grade the coins. There is also a $33 charge to regrade the coin. I sent the coin in to have it regraded. The original grade was XF-45. The regrade was AU-53. I did not pay the additional $33 fee." Ralph Vignola Spring Hill, Fla.

"GRADERS WIN EVERY TIME"
"In response to your June 8 Viewpoint, I really find it difficult to believe that most collectors/hobbyists can grade a coin with any degree of success. Why in the world could I do this when the "Big Boys" cannot even agree?
I bought a 1928 Peace dollar, AU-50, a few years ago from Bowers & Merena and took it out of its PCGS holder. Two years later I resubmitted this coin to NGC (after growing up and understanding what I had done). They in return graded it XF-40. Very upset, I took it out of the slab and set it back to PCGS and in turn they sent it back to me XF-45. Same coin graded three different ways. Now Mr. Shipper expects me to do what? See MS-63 vs. MS-64 when PCGS and NGC see a coin XF-40 to AU-50?
Let's go one step further. I sumbitted 64 coins.... Morgan dollars..... that had been graded by NGC to PCGS, trying to get into their club. They returned 55 of the 64, only 9 coins passing their standards. You do understand what I paid for this little venture?
Two years ago I sold an entire collection of Morgan dollars... less the 1895 proof (slabbed).... for less than I had paid. the reason is pretty simple as long as your professional graders play the game.
I currently have a complete collection of Morgan dollars with only the 1893-s slabbed and a Peace dollar collection with only the 1934-s slabbed. I collect for pleasure. I know that Mr. Shippee is correct, but I also know that the collector will never win with services as they are set up to operate and fulfill company needs, not infidicual collectors' needs." Terry Presson Acworth, GA

(BTW, for those of you who are not familiar with the acronyms..... "PCGS" stands for Professional Coin Grading System and "NGC" stands for National Guarantee Corporation. Both are "highly respected" coin grading and authentification services.)

Gene; Put my vote down as a NO! I know the difference between a nice chip and a dog!