Slabbing Lower Grade Classic Coins

The guy who grades those so called "lower grade" coins does not know the history, the connection if you will of those coins. They are the ties that bind one generation to another. The generational fabric made seamless, perhaps not realized by this generation of collectors. Most grading is done for the value aspect of knowing how nice the coin is. And some, well some is done for the sheer pleasure of realizing that while it might not be the shiniest, mintest version of that coin out there, perhaps someone in one's not so recent past had some foresight to pick up that coin one day and say "you know, I like the look of that coin. Maybe I'll hang on to it" So that you, 50, 60 or sometimes even more than 70 years later can look at that same coin and see the beauty that someone close to you had seen before you.

My Father passed away a few years ago, and my mother passed away this past summer (2010) In going through their things I found a few coins that my Dad had put aside. He wasn't a collecter at all. But the coins that I found were a 68 Nickel "silver" dollar (they changed over to nickel for business strikes the year I was born, 68) and a Proof set of the year I was born. I never thought my Dad was the sentimental type to buy something like that to mark an occasion, but I guess that I was wrong. I again underestimated my Dad.

Needless to say, I had a hard time continuing to go through their stuff that day.

What I guess I'm trying to say, is that no matter what grade a coin comes back as, the grade is never on the history of the coin.

Because only the coin and you will know the history between you and it.

Nice list. Wish I had an Aunt T.

Have you already been welcomed?


Your reason for slabbing your coins (to ensure a family member could easily determine value) is perfectly valid. The ANACS slab will also provide long-term protection (especially important for MS coins) and a guarantee of authenticity (extremely important for keys like the 1916-D dime, S-VDB cent, and '32-D quarter).

You have a great collection and a worthy family legacy to pass down. You might want to write a biography to go with the coins, to document their sources and record any anecdotes that apply. The family would appreciate the legacy that much more. Congrats!

As to slabbed coins, I'm just the opposite. I have none. I have purchased some in the past and break out the coins for Albums. I have never seen a purpose in having a pile of plasic instead of being able to open an Album and see ALL the coins for that set. I know there are many that have sets and the missing ones are somewhere else in a slab but I see no reason to do that since I like completed sets. I presume most like slabs for the so called future possible sales of those coins. I never sell coins, probably never will and what happens to them all after I'm gone makes little difference. So I just collect coins, not plastic.

This is review for many forum members....

EarlB, grading services generally offer "tiers" of service based on the estimated value of the coin (as determined by the owner) and the desired turnaround time. Cheapest rate I know is with the ANACS periodic special, 10 USA coins valued at $500 or less, graded for $100 including return shipping. Sending the coins in via Registered mail will add about $15 so the total cost is approx. $11.50 per coin. Their regular rate is higher and doesn't include return shipping. I thing ICG has competitive rates.

NGC and PCGS are pricier and will charge $18 minimum (each) up to hundreds of dollars for really rare and valuable pieces. Shipping is extra and you need to join their "club" to get submission privileges.

You can go to their websites to view full rates and tier requirements. IMO you should only consider PCGS, NGC, ANACS, ICG, and NCS grading. You can also peruse the Third-Party Grading topic on this forum for lots of additional info.

Thanks for that heads up Jaobler. I'll make sure to save your post tonight for future reference. I had wondered about that. I've seen some "slabs" on ebay that have certification data but don't even have a name on them so knew I wanted to steer clear of them. Earl

carl, I dont look at it as collecting plastic. If you are paying premiums because the slab says early release, or something liek that, then perhaps you could say that. But simply a slabbed coin? No, that is buying a coin that is certified to be what it appears to be.

Earl, oh, you dont know the depths you will plunge to! Muahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

"I understand what your saying but it is hard to say a design that you can still see everyday in your pocket change as a classic"
---
Perhaps I should have used the word "iconic" instead of classic.

The "1909-S VDB" caught the imagination of people in 1909
and that has not changed a hundred year later. In the 60s even the most uninterested person could quote those words and knew that they were important. Both it and the 1914-d were heavily counterfeited. "Everyday" pocket change is not counterfeited.

Oh, the fact that the Wheat Reverse was discontinued fifty years ago at least makes these Lincoln Cent "half" classic.
I do not see "wheaties" everyday.

And the obverse? That was re-designed in 1969 at not a year too soon. It came out a lot prettier.

I did not say that all Lincoln Cents were classic. I said:

'... I consider these two to be "classic" and not modern.'

Two examples. Each of which having stood the test of time.
There should have been emphasis on the words, "these two."
Again, my mistake.

This is my explanation.
I'll be happy to answer any further questions on this matter.

Matthew