Greysheet Podcast: The World's Expert on Ancient Coins Talks to John and Ursula about this Incredible Collectible [Video]

How do you know if an ancient coin is authentic, what makes it valuable, and how has third-party grading changed the world of coin collecting?

In this episode of the Greysheet Podcast, host John Feigenbaum sits down with world-renowned ancient coin expert David Vagi of NGC and numismatic authority Ursula Kampmann for a fascinating discussion about ancient coins, coin authentication, grading, and the evolution of the global coin market.

David Vagi explains how NGC Ancients developed its unique grading system, evaluating strike quality, surface quality, and wear rather than relying solely on a traditional numerical grade. He also discusses counterfeit detection, the challenges of authenticating ancient coins, and how third-party grading has made ancient coin collecting more accessible to new collectors.

The conversation also explores how the internet, digital photography, and online auctions have transformed the rare coin market, along with the differences between American and European approaches to trust, certification, and collecting.

Plus, John, Ursula, and David debate an important question: Are we protecting coins as valuable collectibles, or preserving them as historical artifacts?