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 Replies: 16 / Views: 2,077 |
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New Member
United States
33 Posts |
I asked this in the welcome section, but maybe its better posted here. I just started collecting again after a 30 year absence. I missed the whole slab phenomenon; I understand the need for consistent grading, and I applaud the movement. However, I am curious as what everybody does with the slabs. I grew up filling albums, and have no particular desire to sell my coins any time soon, so I tend to think I will set the coins free and put them in albums, despite the fact it will cost $20 later if I want to grade the coins. Anyone care to talk me out of this? If you keep the slabs, how do you organize things? Does anyone build albums of slabs?
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
First off,  to the CCF! Quote:
and have no particular desire to sell my coins any time soon, Either do I. Most of my slabbed coins are generally worth over $150 and I have no intention of "cracking out" any of these coins as I am not interested in filling albums with my slabbed coins. Furthermore, some of these coins I have are fairly rare and I believe they are better protected long term, in these slabs (PCGS,NGC,ANACS). If you want to fill albums and crack the coins out of their slab, just use caution and be careful for both you, and the coin. I once saw a $10 gold piece that was severely damaged by an inexperienced fellow taking this coin out of it's housing. It was MS64! Good luck and please feel free to ask other questions as there are other members who have much experience cracking out coins. I really don't. swcoin.ecrater.com
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Welcome to CC!  I just bag my slabs in ziplocks with a loose BU cent (to absorb any possible hydrogen sulfide) and a dessicant pack. I kind of consider them commodities almost at that point and rarely even see them because they're in a deposit box. In a way, slabbing is kind of sad. LOL The main reason I even slab is for my kids when I die. IMO, it's more concrete in value than a raw coin. Should they need to sell them, it should be a lot more "clean cut". Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
United States
103 Posts |
There are albums available to put slabs in. they are 9 slabs per plastic sheet with the ability to see the front and back of the coin. also you can either purchase the ready made album or custom make one.
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Rest in Peace
United States
3039 Posts |
I agree with BadThad. Slabs are sad. To me they point out the growing commercial aspect of our "hobby." I guess they are somewhat of a safeguard for the rarities but with the Chinese making even slabs suspect, I won't have any part of them. As for the modern "bullion" pieces of metal in plastic with numbers like 69 and 70 on them, forget it. Ridiculous !
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New Member
 United States
33 Posts |
Yeesh, maybe I should rethink this. What do you all think is the state of our hobby? I've read that younger kids these days are not interested in collecting things. Do you think anyone will be interested in your collection when you slip off the mortal coil? Or are we all just buying commodities.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5601 Posts |
I would also like to welcome you to this FAMILY, I too do not favor slabs, but am guilty of having a few. In answer to your question about anyone being interested in your collection, I feel that the answer is for the wrong reasons, meaning, I started collecting in 1963, started with the Lincoln cents and well, I am still looking for that "one more coin". Things have changed, some for the better and some NOT, I believe our children will be interested in "our" collections, but for , I could be wrong, the wrong reasons, $$$$$.Some one will Always be interested in your collection!! Having an urge to fill empty holes in albums, some day they will come out with a cure for this syndrome,LOL, Till then, enjoy the Hobby!!!  |
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Valued Member
United States
61 Posts |
I do not currently have any slabs as I feel I have no coins worth grading. I can see the benefit with them as it is extra protection for rare coins and gives those coins a more professional look should you ever choose to sell them. I would never slab a whole collection though as I agree they are kind of sad looking.
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Valued Member
United States
88 Posts |
I prefer coins and tokens (rare or not) out of the slab, so I carefully "crack them out" and then save the label from the slab with the album (which serves as a reminder of grade, not a guarantee of any future re-grade). Like you, I have no plan to sell any part of my collection. Clearly this is a personal choice and all views expressed in this thread have merit.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
craigh, Glad you found your way here. I don't mind giving my thoughts on one subject at a time.  If your coins are in PCGS, NGC or ANACs slabs, I would re-think cracking these out. This is especially true if they hold key dates to a series. If common dates and common grades, by all means get out the dremel or vise. You indicated that today you have no intention to offer these for sale, but tomorrow may offer a different point of view. These slabs offer liquidity and higher resale values. I personally dislike them for the very reasons you point out. My preferred storage/display method is a 3-ring binder with mylar pages sized to hold 2x2's. I can put just about any information on the 2x2 and add mylar sheets as the collection expands. I've only cracked out a couple of imprisoned coins that were in third-world slabs. I use the PCGS boxes to hold the reputable slabs. One more question needs to be asked ... why did you buy these coins in slabs? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2541 Posts |
I couldn't agree more with numismo - these 69 and 70 bullion coins that people pay ridiculous sums for is ludicrous. It's ruining the hobby. I bought a couple of Proof 69 DCAM State Quarters and then realized they are worth way less than the $8 each I paid for them. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I'm a bit of an extremist but I hate slabs and the whole concept of them to the extent that I will not buy slabbed coins, not even to crack out. If I'm looking for coins for my collection an the dealer just has slabs, I just move on, I don't even look at them.
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New Member
United States
33 Posts |
SeatedNut, So far I've bought only two coins in slabs, neither from any of the big three (four?) grading services. I've broken one out to put into a album and will probably do the other tonight; I bought the coins, not the slabs. However, I'm not sure how to proceed with this without dealing with slabs. My earlier collection is crying out to be upgraded (a $5 allowance did not buy great coins, even in 1980). For the moment that means good examples of common dates, which I can probably do in raw form. Eventually however I want to do the key dates I couldn't hit as a kid, which will require more care and $$$. With any sort of auction site that becomes a problem, especially as I have been studying the last few nights about the problems with counterfeiting even of the slabs themselves. Anything fairly expensive I will probably want to be slabbed (and not from ebay even slabbed, I would guess; coin show or online reputable coin show). I think if I stay interested and want to be serious about this I will have to deal with slabs, I just wanted some input about how best to handle them. I may just buy them in slabs for the quality assurance (unless the whole slab is counterfeit) and then dremel them open, and let my heirs deal with the grading. I doubt I'll care much at that point. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
My view of slabs is it is something that even non collectors can relate to (if they know the scale)
It also helps the people that only want specific things
I myself have always been about the thrill of the hunt...finding that deal of deals in buying a collection from somebody, the tripping over something where you least expect it and skipping home like a giddy school girl.
Back when I was collecting baseball cards, I would by them by the box, just so I could tear open the packs (packitis ripatosus)
That is still the fun of roll hunting (without actually losing investment)
I'm sure I will get a few slabs here and there, but, right now it's the hunt a bit more than the investment
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Rest in Peace
United States
2668 Posts |
I buy many raw coins, but I have some slabbed coins.
That said, if I were considering paying a considerable sum for a coin, I would look much more seriously at a properly slabbed coin.
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Pillar of the Community
Philippines
1156 Posts |
Touching makes for a greater feeling, can't touch a coin in a slab, or flip it up heads or tails, or toss it up in the sky or spin it around on a table. Lot's of ways to enjoy a coin aside from looking at it and thinking about the year it was being circulated. But if it's for sale -I like slabs and for pure enjoyment - no slabs
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Replies: 16 / Views: 2,077 |
Posted 07/05/2009 11:04 pm
