Morgans, Placing In Albums, Break Open Slabs Or Not

I have cracked 3 and 4 thousand dollar coins to fill a hole in an album. I don't care what its worth in the slab if it was bought to fill a hole it is coming out of that slab and going in there. I do leave a sheet with what the coin was graded and what company and what it is worth and what I paid for it. I also have another list of coins to send in to be regraded if they ever intend to sell the coins because of resale value but I hope whoever gets my collection keeps it because it was mine

My preference is to "crack it out." I will make an exception for a very special coin such as a 1901S Quarter or an 1895 Morgan, but in those cases I scan the coin in the slab (obverse and Reverse), attach the scanned pictures to a round disk of cardboard of the appropriate size and put the "cardboard coin" in the album. The scan is hardly detectable as a "stand-in" coin, so the album is "complete" and the coin is safe.

Valid points all. The only thing I would mention is that I've read horror stories of coins being submitted for grading after they had been kept in albums with sliding plastic windows. Coins previously thought to be gem quality received low grades of MS-61 or MS-62 because the portraits had fine parallel abrasions produced when the windows were slid open and closed. I don't know if the Dansco albums are immune to this problem but it is something to consider.

I will put a third take on this issue. Personally I would never crack out a coin from plastic just to put it in a book. The reason for this is because of the following..

A. Books damage coins to include sliding plastic marks across it's face and tarnish along the border of the coins. Books over time (even Dansco) do damage coins.

B. Somebody went to the expense of having a coin slabbed once and this gets pricey and thus I consider it "waste" to do it again unless you are attempting to get a higher grade than what it is currently graded at.

C. Since the coin is slabbed you know it is "safe" from general environmental damage short of a fire.

D. While I understand the issue that it is "my" coin and I can do whatever I want with it please keep something in mind. Once we are dead and gone what have you done to protect/preserve your collection so it can be enjoyed by the next generation? Books just don't meet that criteria. Heaven knows I have seen so many wonderful coins that were bu when put in a book (and yes this includes Dansco's) that are now toned/damaged (not pretty either) in some areas several years later. Honestly it is a shame as the coins will never again be what they once were.

Let me close off by saying this. When it comes to common coins in grades up to au 58 the Dansco book is ok as the coin is already damaged or showing signs of wear. NEVER USE THE OPEN AIR BOOKS, ESPECIALLY THE WHITMAN BOOKS WHICH DESTROY COPPER PENNIES AND SILVER COINS.

Choice uncirculated and proof coins should NEVER be put in a book as they will never again be in the pristine condition they currently are once placed in a book. One of my friends fills the "hole" in his Dansco books for coins he has with a piece of paper saying the grade ie. MS 63 and leaves his beautiful coins in their slab. This lets him know the hole is filled while at the same time protects the coin for the long term. I am a coin dealer and collector and consider conservation to be a part of being a dealer and collector. Try to remember our next generation and at the same time keep in mind you are trying to protect YOUR investment. But again, the choice is yours to make. I just want you to look at a bigger picture and think outside the box. It is an honor to hold a piece of history in one's hand. Don't take that away from the next generation without careful consideration. Please forgive me for waxing poetic....Sincerely, John Leckrone

That never even occured to me! You get to protect your coin and show it too!

GENIUS!