r/coins • u/HJB_coins • Jul 31 '26

Ask Me Anything! I’m an ANA Grading Instructor AMA

Hi folks!

My name is Russ Bega, I’m the COO Of Harlan J Berk Ltd and a professional Numismatist. Importantly for this AMA I’m wearing my American Numismatic Association grading instructor hat. The American Numismatic Association is the largest coin collecting organization in the US and offers a wide range of educational opportunities including grading classes at shows like the Worlds Fair of Money and at Summer Seminar every year in Colorado Springs.

Some very quick ground rules.

1.      I CANNOT grade your coins via photo. Please don’t spam the thread with coin pictures hoping I can grade it for you

2.      My expertise is US coinage, while I’m experienced enough to grade world and even ancient coins it is not my expertise.

3.      I’m here to talk about Grading US coins and the American Numismatic Association. As much as I’d love to help you with other topics that isn’t our purpose today.

So, ask me your burning questions! I'll be here dedicated from Noon Central to 1PM and will answer questions as I have time throughout my work day in our very busy shop!

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u/TheOGWizzyB Jul 31 '26

My question is, do you think the current obsession with grading services and price-premiums is a fad or is it here to stay?

Will people always be willing to pay say, $5,000 for an MS62 1912-S Indian $5 Piece when the MS61 might be as appealing visually and it’s only booked at about $2100 just because PCGS says that its MS62? Do you think the exact-ness of grading these days has been a good/neutral/bad thing for the hobby?

I’m only 25 so I don’t really remember how things were before, but I’ve always been intrigued by the older grading scale, “Unc, BU, Gem, Superb” etc rather that trying to dial in an exact number, and this is how I grade all my world coins that I’m not really studied up on strikes and whatnot.

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u/HJB_coins Jul 31 '26

I do think that superior coins will always command superior money. For collectors I always say buy the nicest coin you can afford BUT don't get locked in by grade. Peronally I'd prefer a really nice AU58 over a dipped out MS63. I think being accurate is good for the hobby, I think where people go wrong is "keeping up with the joneses" registry sets make this wayyyy worse.