I will do my best to explain DGS and the role we play in the numismatic marketplace. It might actually be easier to say what we’re not…

We’re NOT a major third party grading service and we aren’t trying to be. DGS is the in-house grading service for DLRC and we invite submissions from collectors, as well. Typically, we grade (in house) those coins that are circulated, or light clean mint state,etc that we feel PCGS and NGC don’t give enough credence to. Or coins in which we see no advantage to PCGS or NGC holders.

For example, we believe that a gorgeous gem Morgan dollar with a cleaning “wipe” deservesrespect, so we give it thus.

Or how about this coin… an amazing 1799 Bust Dollar Double Struck, that also has been cleaned and has minor damage. We recently graded this coin for a client who asked us to sell it in auction for him with a “guarantee”, which we did.

In all cases, we apply the same very high standard. The same standard I learned from my father back in the 1970′s which puts a high emphasis on surface quality, details, etc.

We would never expect that you would see hundreds (or even dozens!) of DGS coins at a show. The volume is for the big guys. We’re simply providing an added service for our clients who are seeking an inexpensive grading/slabbing alternative.

Regarding the “conflict of issue” question of which I hear most often: What better way to resolve the conflict than to be completely transparent? We image every coin that is DLRC-submitted — no matter what the value — to the Authentiview (image-based pop report). If we wanted to play games, it would be far easier to create another “owner” forDGS. That’s of no interest to me. DGS is no get-rich-quick scheme on our part. It’s merely a way to provide an affordable manner to buy/sell collector coins.

In the meantime, at DLRC we are one of the most active players in the entire coin market. We’ll sell over $24 million this year alone of PCGS and NGC coins to collectors like you.Which also means we’re buying that much in coins from dealers, auction houses and collectors like you. The DGS component is so small it’s hardly worth mentioning. But I canassure you that the rare coin marketplace needs marketmakers like CAC, Heritage, Hall, DLRC, etc to establish levels for their coins.