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Posted By: Kevin Saucier

Well, I’ve been sitting back now for a couple days reading the insults mixed with a few compliments and my future being planned by those who don’t even know me. There have even been posts by those who have sent me cards to examine, called or sent emails for advice...for the fee of…nothing. This is something I have enjoyed doing for some time for hobby friends because they trust my opinion. Most of these are friends from the few years I spent on LTS, a place I really enjoyed.

Seriously what I have I done? I came on to Net54 and made some educational posts on how to identify altered cards, a subject many feel I have something to offer the hobby. Much has been met with appreciation and kind comments mixed with a little criticism. I still get daily emails from collectors of all levels asking for opinions, all of which I try my best to answer. I don’t believe I’ve ever asked for anything in return and have never made a penn...not a cent.

Not so long ago Jim (someone at the time I had never met) made the suggestion that he and others might want a service of someone with experience, other than a grading company, to verify cards were not altered. Sounded like a good idea so I ran with it...why not?

In a day or so I plan to launch a very simple website that gathers all the articles and posts I have made on identifying altered cards and put them into a common place for those who wish to view it. I’m honored to have some great testimonials from some very respected names in the hobby on there. It’s a website, much like many of you have, in which you share the knowledge and passion of what you know best. Websites, which I enjoy going to so I can learn from others.

The service I may offer in the future is mentioned but not available. It’s still in the planning stages. I can assure you that it is not a business venture, if anything it may pay for gas. I’m not starting a grading company, grading cards, challenging grades, trying to save the hobby or taking over the world. I have no idea what, if any, arrangements can or will be made by someone wanting cards examined. Although many here have speculated or assumed there is a plan.

I think it is unfortunate that the perception is that Jim and I have joined together and spent a long time planning a way to force all collectors, dealers and auction houses to send cards my way. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Jim has a plan for his cards and has, perhaps, gone a little over the top to express his intentions. We barely know each other; we met at dinner about a month ago and have exchanged an email or two.

Personally, I find it a bit sickening and disheartening that others are so quick to pass judgment and are outright vicious in attacking what they may or may not know about what I have to offer the hobby. For those that had well wishes and compliments...thank you!

To answer some questions; It is true that examining a card in a slab much more difficult than raw. There are times when an opinion cannot be given based on the fact the entire card or enough of the card is not viewable. What can take a few minutes for a raw card can take as much as 15 minutes (or more) on one that is slabbed...even spent over 30 minutes on some cards, whatever it takes. It’s a gathering of objective findings used to make an opinion and reassure a card has not been altered. It also helps to know the provenance, if any.

I have seen more than a few cards valued well over $5K that have absolutely positively been altered, one or more may have been used in some examples I have shown. It’s not my business to show a card, out a collector or collection. I don’t own the card(s).

Also, I don’t know anything about the coin hobby or what they do.



Kevin Saucier