Those are all valid issues, Pete, which help to validate the initial argument. Something to the effect, "given a lack of clarification as to what constitutes authenticity, let's look at the grading guarantee." My primary point is that as presented, the initial argument is very attackable, and therefore doesn't help our cause.

Grading is very attackable. A promise of authentication is more likely to fool some people into believing the slabbers have something to offer. I think a good, upfront position is to seek to get clarification on how ICG defines authenticity, since they put the issue on the table. I suspect any definition they offer will be subject to ridicule and abuse, and a lack of definition at this point is totally indefensible.

Since they seem to feel authentication is a significant purpose for slabbing, I think it's a valid issue to pursue. US coins are probably a bad comparison. Do they offer a "guarantee of authenticity" for baseball cards? How does it work in that hobby?