Max Spiegel of Certified Collectors Group Joins Jeff and John to Discuss Grading Trends & Collectible Markets

In the 10th episode of the Red Book Podcast, hosts John Feigenbaum and Jeff Garrett have a dynamic conversation with Max Spiegel, President of Certified Collectibles Group (parent company of NGC, PMG, CGC, JSA, ASG). Max, who has an extensive background in numismatics and started with CCG in 2010, shares insights into the company's rapid growth and expansion into various verticals such as stamps, trading cards, sports cards, video games, and more. The discussion covers CCG's global footprint, the importance of third-party authentication, and emerging trends in collectibles like Pokemon cards. Max also discusses the challenges in maintaining quality, identifying talent, and leveraging AI in the grading process. Additionally, the episode touches on exciting upcoming events, such as the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence release from the US Mint, and the end of the US penny, highlighting their potential impact on the collectibles market.We encourage comments and feedback on the podcast. We will take suggestions here for future topics and also for the Red Book itself!Don't miss any future episodes. Subscribe now to the Greysheet channel on youtube.00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:46 CCG's Growth and Expansion01:10 The Importance of Third-Party Authentication01:22 Max Spiegel's Background and Achievements01:45 CCG's Structure and Brand Management02:36 Evolution of NGC and Expansion into New Markets04:17 Challenges and Strategies in Collectibles Grading20:59 The Role of AI in Authentication and Grading25:36 Modern vs. Vintage Coin Grading28:10 Introducing the NGCX 10-Point Scale29:06 International Interest in the 10-Point Scale29:24 Innovative Packaging Ideas30:15 Challenges and Opportunities with US Currency31:39 Navigating Tariff Issues34:06 Expanding Internationally34:49 The Evolution of Grading in Europe39:13 Exciting Upcoming Coin Releases42:09 Impact of Bullion Prices on Submissions43:41 Personal Collecting Stories46:49 The Importance of Stories in Collecting48:17 The Growing Collectibles Market51:42 The Role of Books in Coin Collecting52:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts