Slabbed Coins

[azda 979]

I have a curious question on slabbed coins. I am not a huge fan of slabbing, i prefer them in my hand and they are easier to store in a coin box etc. I know its all about personal choice, so my question is, if i were to buy a coin that was slabbed and took it out of the slab would that effect its value, i also realise that slabbed coins are somewhat a gaurantee of condition and authenticity, so what is the concencus of opinion on this?

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

so my question is, if i were to buy a coin that was slabbed and took it out of the slab would that effect its value, i also realise that slabbed coins are somewhat a gaurantee of condition and authenticity, so what is the concencus of opinion on this?

In general, taking a coin from a slab shouldn't affect it's value - not sure how easy it is to do though. Yes, you put that quite well, a slab is 'somewhat' a guarantee of condition, still leaves room for interpretation though, the authenticity is more solid ground, usually there is a full guarantee that it is what it says it is.

There isn't a consensus of opinion regarding slabs, I think it fair to say that a significant number of forum users aren't keen, although I myself am.

Back to personal choice again.

[scott 144]

no value wouldn't change, but the selling price would be lower, as people pay more for slabbed stuff

[Peckris 579]

no value wouldn't change, but the selling price would be lower, as people pay more for slabbed stuff

Ha! But it's a smaller market surely? There are such as myself who wouldn't touch them with a bargepole (because 1. I don't want my coins to be in unstorable slabs and 2. I won't pay more just because it's in a slab .. that I don't want!). So you might well get more when you sell on, when you actually find a buyer.

[azda 979]

no value wouldn't change, but the selling price would be lower, as people pay more for slabbed stuff

Ha! But it's a smaller market surely? There are such as myself who wouldn't touch them with a bargepole (because 1. I don't want my coins to be in unstorable slabs and 2. I won't pay more just because it's in a slab .. that I don't want!). So you might well get more when you sell on, when you actually find a buyer.

I'm with you on the slabs Perckis, i am just curious if you crack one open would it lose value or credibility, has anyone done it?

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

[i'm with you on the slabs Perckis, i am just curious if you crack one open would it lose value or credibility, has anyone done it?

Who is ever going to know you've done it ?

I've sent two American graded pennies away to be re-slabbed in the UK, I haven't broken a slab myself.

Unstorable Slabs Peck ? They do tailormade boxes that work superbly.

[Peckris 579]

Who is ever going to know you've done it ?

I've sent two American graded pennies away to be re-slabbed in the UK, I haven't broken a slab myself.

Unstorable Slabs Peck ? They do tailormade boxes that work superbly.

...unless you've already invested in cabinets and albums! (That's what I meant by 'unstorable')

[azda 979]

Who is ever going to know you've done it ?

I've sent two American graded pennies away to be re-slabbed in the UK, I haven't broken a slab myself.

Unstorable Slabs Peck ? They do tailormade boxes that work superbly.

...unless you've already invested in cabinets and albums! (That's what I meant by 'unstorable')

Ok, so how much does slabbing cost exactly?

[Peckris 579]

Who is ever going to know you've done it ?

I've sent two American graded pennies away to be re-slabbed in the UK, I haven't broken a slab myself.

Unstorable Slabs Peck ? They do tailormade boxes that work superbly.

...unless you've already invested in cabinets and albums! (That's what I meant by 'unstorable')

Ok, so how much does slabbing cost exactly?

Firms that slab charge a sliding scale for authentication based (grimly) on coin value (as if that was relevant to the cost of slabbing!) I believe that London Coins' service starts at around £10 per coin? The slab is part of the whole package, I'm not sure there is a company that slabs alone.

[Colin G. 147]

I have freed several coins over the past few years, and a few I have left in. I like to compare coins, and it is very difficult to do whilst they are in their tomb. I slab my own coins, but they can be opened at any time and the coin removed. I buy the blanks from Canada. It allows them to be presented well, and I know I can pass them to relatives to look at without worrying about finger marks.

It is quite easy to do without damaging the coin, but a nervy experience at first!! I generally hacksaw off the title section, so that the label can be kept for provenance, and then use a 1/4" chisel in the now open end and twist. They do not break at the seams, but the plastic face breaks off.

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

Firms that slab charge a sliding scale for authentication based (grimly) on coin value (as if that was relevant to the cost of slabbing!) I believe that London Coins' service starts at around £10 per coin? The slab is part of the whole package, I'm not sure there is a company that slabs alone.

They will slab it without comment for a fiver I believe.

Whether slabbing is good or not is an ongoing debate which we have on here about once every 3 months. For me, I believe the debate should be separated into two parts, the product and then the 'politics'.

The product, well, you either like the presentation and the fact that you get a second, professional opinion, or you don't. That bit is quite simple I believe.

The politics is where it gets more difficult. In the US slabbing is more established and some strange things have happened. For example, people buying a mint issue proof, slabbing it and then selling it for twice what they paid for it from the mint because it's graded MS67/68/69. Certainly I think slabbing is quite inflationary and that isn't good.

I can see other dealers not being too enamoured with it as well for obvious reasons.

It's a difficult one.

Braver man than me Colin

[Sylvester 15]

I'm with you on the slabs Perckis, i am just curious if you crack one open would it lose value or credibility, has anyone done it?

Ha cracking out coins from slabs is always a nerve racking experience. I have successfully liberated a few using the g-clamp method where you apply pressure until the slab cracks. The practice go with the Lincoln cent was a walk in the park, cracking out an Joseph II 2 ducat coin was not so pleasant, but it came out unscathed.

[Gary D 76]

I'm with you on the slabs Perckis, i am just curious if you crack one open would it lose value or credibility, has anyone done it?

Ha cracking out coins from slabs is always a nerve racking experience. I have successfully liberated a few using the g-clamp method where you apply pressure until the slab cracks. The practice go with the Lincoln cent was a walk in the park, cracking out an Joseph II 2 ducat coin was not so pleasant, but it came out unscathed.

I've cracked all the dozen or so slabbed coins I've bought. I would never pay a premium for a slabbed coin. I must admit it was a bit nervy cracking my PL67 1937 crown.

[Sylvester 15]

I can imagine Gary, proofs must be even worse to crack out, one mark on the surface and it's all over.

[Rob 3,152]

PCGS & CGS slabs are easier to get into compared to NGC because they have a thinner rim which you can remove with cross cut pincers. As the rim contains most of the seal, you can remove the contents without too much hassle. NGC are a bit more sturdy. The same tool works, but you do need a bigger one because you have to nibble away at the whole thickness.

[choolie 0]

There was an interesting article in coin news about slabbing, which made me start thinking that maybe slabbing could be a good thing. The article was stating how strict and accurate CGS were with their grading. Can anyone say anything about the difference between the slabbing companies? Which ones they use? and why

[azda 979]

There was an interesting article in coin news about slabbing, which made me start thinking that maybe slabbing could be a good thing. The article was stating how strict and accurate CGS were with their grading. Can anyone say anything about the difference between the slabbing companies? Which ones they use? and why

And how much? Ooooops, it has been answered already :-)

Edited April 15, 2010 by azda

[Peckris 579]

There was an interesting article in coin news about slabbing, which made me start thinking that maybe slabbing could be a good thing. The article was stating how strict and accurate CGS were with their grading. Can anyone say anything about the difference between the slabbing companies? Which ones they use? and why

And how much? Ooooops, it has been answered already :-)

Far be it from me to introduce a cynical note (quoth he, introducing a cynical note), but if London Coins are a major advertiser with Coin News, or there is a strong personal connection with the editorial there, then how free from bias would we say that article actually was? I'm sure it is true that the CGS grading standards are high, but are we saying that only a slabbed coin can be accurately graded? That would be a sorry day, if true! There would have to be a whole lot of other advantages to make me give houseroom to ugly slabs.

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

I prefer 'Strict' myself. Accurate is not really a helpfull word in this context, it's open to debate.

I use CGS a lot and it has turned me into the grade fascist that I am today, which I'm grateful for.

[choolie 0]

HI azda I can't see where anybody has said what the difference is between the slabbing companies.

I think there are pros and cons to slabbing which have been mentioned. But if slabbing is reversible then it,s fine. And if your coin suddenly becomes worth twice as much then who wouldn't. Plastic does not age well so In a few years everybody may go off it, I have never actually seen a slabbed coin in hand. By the way

[azda 979]

Hi Choolie, it was'nt the different companies i was reffering to, it was on the subject of cost, that had been answered.

[VickySilver 830]

I am always amused at how much angst is uncovered when this subject is broached. I do love to handle coins but they may not love me for handling them, at least as far as skin oils and secondary oxidation that ensues, etc.

I will say that having a slabbed coin does give me more confidence in the coin being protected. If the grade matches my own opinion, so much the better. I would not take as gospel the TPG number thereon. I do think that the certification does provide another reference point about the coin, however.

I will also say that I am grateful if some bidders will not bid on a coin if it is "entombed" in a TPG slab - maybe better opportunities for me and others.

[£400 for a Penny ? 0]

I am always amused at how much angst is uncovered when this subject is broached. I do love to handle coins but they may not love me for handling them, at least as far as skin oils and secondary oxidation that ensues, etc.

I will say that having a slabbed coin does give me more confidence in the coin being protected. If the grade matches my own opinion, so much the better. I would not take as gospel the TPG number thereon. I do think that the certification does provide another reference point about the coin, however.

I will also say that I am grateful if some bidders will not bid on a coin if it is "entombed" in a TPG slab - maybe better opportunities for me and others.

Behind you 100%

[1949threepence 3,367]

I have a curious question on slabbed coins. I am not a huge fan of slabbing, i prefer them in my hand and they are easier to store in a coin box etc. I know its all about personal choice, so my question is, if i were to buy a coin that was slabbed and took it out of the slab would that effect its value, i also realise that slabbed coins are somewhat a gaurantee of condition and authenticity, so what is the concencus of opinion on this?

Well many others have already given the same answer to your question that I would have given. So I'll confine myself to saying that slabbed coins are not a favoutite of mine, although I do appreciate the accuracy and reliability of the grading. But I don't like the fact that you can't get at them, nor the premium on price which always strikes me as a bit of a racket.

[Peckris 579]

Well many others have already given the same answer to your question that I would have given. So I'll confine myself to saying that slabbed coins are not a favoutite of mine, although I do appreciate the accuracy and reliability of the grading. But I don't like the fact that you can't get at them, nor the premium on price which always strikes me as a bit of a racket.

Nor the fact that they immediately make your fine set of mahogany coin cabinets redundant and useless.