ABSOLUTE GEM WCE 'COLUMBUS LED BY THE LIGHT' NGC PROOFLIKE MEDAL

This like the other WCE medal in an oversized NGC holder can lay claim to being to a gem, to say the least. I have never been one to complain about NGC's (or PCGS or ANACS) grading. We all know it's subjective but I have to disagree strongly with the MS62 grade; yes, NGC has correctly labeled the medal as prooflike. But a 62?

I never have considered myself necessarily strong at grading. But having been a WCE seller for more than 40 years and an expert on the exposition, I have examined hundreds of slabbed meals. I cannot see any differences between this and other much higher graded medals.

An Interesting Segue:
NGC was the leader among the grading services to add medals to their coin menu. While the number of medals being graded has risen dramatically, there still are fewer examples than you might assume. In the Worldscolumbianjournal.com I addressed this by pointing out the irrelevance of using the phrase "top pop." If you're talking about a Mercury Dime or a commemorative half dollar where many hundreds of examples have been graded, the top of the pop is significant. It refers to the highest (or top) of the graded (POP)ulation.

This refers to the total number of a specific medal that has been graded by this particular service. TopPop on most any WCE medal—which probably has been graded more often than medals from other world's fairs—might be the Top of a population of 10-20 pieces. The number that have not been graded/slabbed in collectors' hands might be 100 times higher. The reference to a Top Pop most often represents an inaccurate inference.

There is nothing the matter with being the top of any list; but it's not unusual to see a medal identified as an MS64 and the TopPop. One should naturally assume that there must be something quite significant, such as the medals is never found in very high grades. Unfortunately, it probably means that only a small handful have ever been submitted and graded.

Ignoring the misconceptions about the TopPop reference, please take a serious look at this outstanding medal. Comparing it to graded medals, and studying all the nuances relative to this medal and the grading process, can you possible see ANYthing that would result in it being an MS62? I personally, whether it was mine to sell or another presented to me for appraisal, I would call this a GEM, or at least an MS65. Its status as prooflike should have no bearing on its grade.

I would simply urge you, as I do with every client and customer, to decide for yourself what you think of it and purchase accordingly; don't buy the slab, buy the coin/medal!

YOUR PURCHASE INCLUDES THE LID OF THE ORIGINAL ROUND BOX AS ISSUED.