To Crack A Slab Or Not

I had sent in 8 coins to PCGS for crossover. 5 graded the same and 3 upgraded. I hope luck wasnt involved, rather the coins were originally graded conservatively and I have an eye for under graded coins. But, a coin will not ALWAYS MARKET grade whatever the condition is regardless. Some days you may get a grader who's girlfriend broke up with him the night before and his dog died that morning when he wrecked his car into his mothers house. He may be handing out low grades that day.

Id have to disagree with that from a practical standpoint. In theory you are 100 percent right. As long as you dont harm the coin the value shouldnt change. But in reality it does. The second it becomes raw youve just opened yourself up to endless hours of debates over the grade and maybe even some questions of authenticity depending what it is. Kind of like that old saying give someone an inch and theyll take a mile, with a lot of people making it raw again is giving that inch.

Certainly not trying to insult anyones way of collecting to me its just not worth the risk on those higher value coins and I prefer the slabs anyway partly because I really like to pick them up and hold them a lot. I know for sure Id end up at some point hurting a few of them even if just by accident with how much ill handle them some days.

But I think we can all agree that we should just do it however we personally like it best. I would suspect that when it comes to slab vs raw we would probably see a generational gap in play. If I was older and grew up collecting raw for many years I could definitely see myself continuing that way.





Very true, what I meant was once the coins out of the slab its much easier for something to happen to it that in the future would be you back a lower grade if resubmitted. Whether it be the album rubbing or an accident or whatever, just meant that once its out theres no assurance itll get the first grade again

Your right us slab collectors just collect plastic. We throw away the coin have the time just to have the label.

Saying that is like saying raw collectors collect 2x2s or albums instead of coins. Really cant understand why you feel the need to say such an insulting statement every thread that talks about slabs

I doubt that just Carl meant to insult anyone.
By using the statement "I collect coins not plastic" I assume the he means he has no need or use of the assurance of the grade or genuineness of a coin by someone else.
I have found that a lot of collectors look more at the grading printed on the slab than judging the coin within.

This is what I think he was eluding to and nothing to do with how collectors store their coins.

I have no great love of slabbed coins due to the inflated prices associated with them, They do however offer great protection to the coin while in transit.

I always de slab any coin I buy that way because I'm one of those weirdo collectors that like to be able to handle and study my coins in the flesh and not through a layer of hardened and often scratched plastic.

Each to their own way of collecting , As long as you enjoy the way you collect there is no right or wrong way

I probably did take it the wrong way which I do apologize. Just really hate the saying personally as it does give off the impression that some may be more concerned by the slab than the coin from the wording of it. I couldnt agree more everyone should collect what they like and how they like since thats what collecting is all about.

Dont mind me had a rough week and took it wrong. Thanks for clarifying Trout and Carl

I've cracked open every Lincoln I've purchased including mint sets and don't regret it one bit. I couldn't care less what a TPG thought vs. how I feel to see an empty hole!

Admittedly the only one missing in my collection is of course an 09-S VDB which I will buy slabbed to guarantee authenticity but will absolutely crack that open too! I do however try my hardest to buy raw coins first to avoid the pain in the butt to crack slabs--but sometimes the ones that call my names just so happen to be imprisoned in plastic.

I found a practical use for slabs that I do like. My wife and kids took no interest in my hobby. If something should happen to me, they know which ones in the safe deposit are worth looking into to get a maximum return. And let's face it, b/c it is slabbed it will sell for a little more b/c some people trust TPGs' opinions as if they are Gospel. I like finding ways of legitimately playing/using a system to my advantage.

And since I hate holes in my albums, I got some replicas to go into the holes. It makes the album look better and not worth very much if somehow sticky fingers would somehow get ahold of it.

If you like slabs - collect them! Enjoy getting all the different versions of the labels - more power to you

If you don't like slabs - use a bandsaw on them - more power to you

If you don't care - more power to you

I prefer the hammer and paper towel method myself