Posted By:
Gilbert MainesWarshawlaw: you make it sound as if numismatics is controlled by the International Brotherhood of Slabbers Union.
I assure you that some of the hobby's most important coins exchange hands without the slabbers getting close to them. And coins of lesser significance do too.
For example, essentially all of the top pre-1800 cents have been photographed, cataloged, graded (by hobbiests), and are tracked. Their whereabouts are usually known, but not always. However, when they reappear, it is noted.
This is the functioning of the Condition Census - a tabulation and ordering of each of the best examples of each variety. There is no need to have your coin in the PSA registry. If your coin qualifies for the Condition Census, it is there whether you like that or not.
The best of the hobby's oldest coins are well documented, unslabbed and change hands that way.
Welcome to the reality.