The Doctor is Out by David Albanese Hi To all. Well, Spring is almost upon us as Winter is in its waning days. It has been a beautiful winter here in Western NY and now we will welcome the change into a new season. Just as with coins we are rolling into the Spring run of coin shows. We are going to be in Baltimore for the best East Coast show, hands down! Things are a-changing on the coin front for sure. Most notable is the advent of CAC, Certified Acceptance Corporation. As you may notice most coins at our web site are CAC approved for premium quality and eye appeal. I feel, without a doubt, this is the "single most important new aspect in rare coins since the beginning of third party grading." No put-down on the grading companies, as I believe they and CAC should and will compliment each other. As soon as CAC announced they were opening for business the pundits were shooting from the hip saying all sorts of despairing things about the service without doing their due diligence and finding out what it is all about. If some would only take their time and look at the big picture they would understand that this is a good thing for all collectors and investors alike. All it does is give some added assurance to all the quality and continuity to proper grading. One of the best things that has come out of this is that the "Dreaded Coin Doctors are on the run"; as they should be because they have become sophisticated in what they do. Many coins were getting by the graders and I must say I was even fooled on a couple of coins that were doctored, and they weren't cheap coins, as the doctors don't find any profit in messing with common coinage. It's all the rarities that make or made them money. Now the sad thing is that most all in the business know who these people are. They are, or were, very open about it almost flaunting it to some. But this is changing. All I can say is thank God. My hat is off to both NGC & PCGS for tightening up the ship and really watching things. No more loose grading, they either make the grade or they don't. Why wouldn't anyone that is spending their money want all the assurance that what they are paying for is the best? It only makes sense. We want all of our clients to feel that they have the "best of the best" and they shouldn't settle for anything less. It really doesn't cost any more but it gives you the assurance that you're spending your money wisely. Now this doesn't mean that coins not graded by CAC are bad coins; far from that. I'm sure they will never get all graded coins to pass through their grading rooms. It is basically a very simple thing. If you want added assurance that you're getting the real deal, buy CAC coins. As coins keep becoming more expensive, I know I wouldn't want to make a major mistake. The grading services are now looking more closely at this and CAC is performing a wonderful service for all of us. And best of all, the so-called "Doctors" are "losing the licenses" to practice the destruction of our beloved hobby. All I can say is "It's about time!" All the very best, David Albanese is a Nostomania coins advisor. Albanese Rare Coins can be reached at their outstanding web site. Visit our Coin News Archive.