Not Exactly Samples - Compugrade Medal

Compugrade is one of the scarcest and most desirable samples, with none selling on eBay in the last three and a half years. Even their production slabs are rarely seen.

This anodized aluminum medal is also an uncommon relic of Compugrade's brief existence. According to the 2x2 holder, this 40mm medal came from the 1990 ANA convention in Seattle. I paid more thanthe $1 on the holder, but not the $40 - $50 they typically bring on eBay.

Compugrade attempted to grade coins using computerized equipment instead of expert graders. PCGS attempted a similar task in 1989, also unsuccessfully. In a panel discussion with PCGS foundersmoderated by Steve Roach, David Hall mentioned that, many years later, he asked the same computer expert who worked on the project whether it was now possible to try again, now that we have bettercomputers. With better computers, the expert said, the computer would just make the same mistakes faster. There is nothing like the human eye.

To view the PCGS Founders video, see:
PCGS Founders' Roundtable (Full Video) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCYIjDQEtR8&t=1905s)

For more information on the Sample Slab Update, see:
Sample Slab Book.com (http://www.sampleslabbook.com/)