As I search for new additions to my collection, I find myself skipping over slabbed coins. For me, it's not the cost, they just don't seem as fun. They're like toys still in the package. I know you're not supposed to actually handle coins in a collection, but that's part of the fun to me. Holding a coin that was carried 150 years ago makes the history more real. I guess I'm more into the history than the art or investment sides of coin collecting. LOL, anyone else feel this way or does this go away after collecting for a while?
I never went through the "I need to touch it" phase, even was I was a kid (age 8). I guess I am too anal? I always wanted me coins safe and secure from damage, fingerprints, dropping, etc. I had raw coins in the early years (age 8-12), and then a long break of no collecting, and then some bad experience with basement slabbers in the middle 2000's, and then maybe in 2006 I got on board the PCGS / NGC train.
I always liked putting them in folders, holders, etc. You know, bring order to a chaotic world? Even though PCGS slabbed coins go for extremely high prices, the vast majority of coins bought and sold and collected are raw, often problem coins, and collectors don't seem to really mind. They buy what they like and what they can afford.
Slabs may be "no fun," but they are your protection of authenticity at the very least. Raw coin purchases are great if you are very experienced, and know a series extremely well--otherwise it is a mine field.
I agree 100%. For me, slabbed coins just take up too much room. I'm a US series collector (ie, one of as many denomination by date/mintmark of US circulating coins). If I were to have these all slabbed, I'd probably need a VAULT, which is not an option for me. A safe is all I have space for. Just curious, how do you slabbed coin collectors store your coins? In multiple PCGS or NGC boxes by date/denomination?
Good point. When I buy slabbed coins for the purposes of adding to my own collection, I crack them open carefully, plug them into my Dansco Album, and tape the PCGS label/grade (+ sometimes a picture) to the back of the album. This reminds me of the grade and 'should' help resale value for my kids/grandkids. I just like to see the Complete Set all in one place displayed.
I do like the folders and holders too. They're still "accessible" though. It's not that I get the coins out for a petting session often, I guess I just like the option, LOL.
Wow, you just echoed the sentiments of 99.99 percent of the ancient coin collecting community. We will assimilate you yet!!!!! (we have cookies)
Isn't that what a "hobby" is, i.e., knowing what you're doing? I know people who collect paintings, too, and don't know the first thing about art.
I'm not dealing with coins valuable enough to really worry about fakes. Meaning, I won't loose much if I get tricked. Ha, it wouldn't take much to pull me in. I like old stuff and I never turn down a cookie.
In regards to storage or safe keeping of slabs: Mine are in several display cases, with various holders, including my raw coins. I have two wooden slab trays for my more recent additions. Lastly, the better valued one's are in the safety deposit vault at my bank. The latter being my investment pieces. Space has never been an issue.
I did notice, that a lot of the collecting advice on CT, often, somehow reverts back to where you bought, how much you paid and how the price of an item determines your skills and abilities as a collector or numismatist. I see it more as the experience of a dealer or auctioneer and a numbers game, than an actual part of coin collecting. I guess we all sit in the same basket. Coin collectors focus on the coins, businessmen and numbers guys on the numbers and the cleaning staff on cleaning the coins. Three different hobbies or pastimes, intertwined. Sorry, my point, slabs belong more to the business side, prevent cleaning and touching of coins by collectors.
Even experienced collectors can get ripped off on SleazeBay. I once bought a 1991-CC that appeared to be MS63/64 for a fair price. When I got the coin, I instantly realized that it had been switched. The coin I received was, at best, XF but it had been whizzed. I had one heck of a time getting a refund from the crook who claimed to know the law because he was a magistrate in Tennessee. Sure, there are many transactions for raw coins that go off without a hitch, but when the value of the coins gets higher, there is greater temptation for the sleazebags to try to cheat someone. Chris
I agree with most, there is something to be said for being able to hold a coin in hand that has such history and the tactile to the hands. However, the security not only in knowing what your buying but also in the coin being protected and no longer subject to damage is also a plus that slabs offer.
Love that analogy. It's like you don't have to have ONLY the Transformers sealed in the original package with a letter of authenticity OR a well-used Lego set...why not have both...as space and money permits.
A couple of times I've had a surprise during a purchase, where the seller, as a treat, sent me the mint coin in a slab or form of reputable grading. In those instances, I purchased a duplicate coin for my display tray, leaving the graded coins as they arrived. Yes, both times the sellers got my repeat business and a special request for the second mint coin to be ungraded, so that I can place them in my Air-Tite or capsule and tray. I still have both sets of duplicates.
