Third-party grading has driven Canadian numismatics more than anything else in the past 30 years. Now supported by the Internet and its far-reaching research implications, third-party grading has significantly impacted numismatics since it came on the scene in Canada in the mid-1980s. Since then, graders have applied their trusted standards to almost all numismatic material, and in recent years, all major North American auction houses have begun certifying all coins with a third-party grading service before they’re sold. “It almost doesn’t matter what it is anymore,” said dealer Sandy Campbell, the owner of Proof Positive Coins, who has nearly 50 years of experience in the business. “You can argue there are pros and cons to third-party grading – there always will be – but I’m the biggest fan of third-party grading because it’s giving an independent opinion. I don’t care what you’re selling, but it has to be represented properly to the end buyer, and that’s how you do it.” Continue reading →
Third-party grading has evolved from its humble beginnings in the mid-to-late 1980s to serve as a major resource for collectors and dealers seeking a reliable standard for determining a coin’s condition and attributes.
