Slabs - is this lame?

Most slabs are the same size. Looks fine with a large coin like an ASE or full size dollar, but I really don't see the need for the same size slab for a cent, 3-cent, nickel, or dime. What's your thoughts on a standard size slab that would hold 2 or 3 coins of the same denomination, or a half size, roughly square slab holding one coin that would still fit in a NGC/PCGS box stack vertically? It would save a lot of storage space for collectors of these smaller coins. You could have a 2014 silver proof dime, clad proof dime, and MS dime all in the same holder. I've seen multiple coins in one holder, but the holder is huge with the same amount (or more) of wasted space.

Thoughts?

 

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I like it just for the uniformity.
Easier to keep things organized when everything is alike.

 

I can recall discussions about this going back to at least 2005, and the general consensus had pretty much been the same. Maintaining a continuity in the size of the slabs not only makes storage easier, but it also keeps the cost down.

Chris

 

It is also a nightmare to track pieces in inventory. TPGs give each coin a number/grade, so there would be a lot of confusion on labels, and how you indicate which of the coins is which, if they were all the same date/mm and close grade. One coin and one slab works so much better for many reasons.

 

One of the drawbacks of a multi-coin slab is when one might want to replace one coin and keep the other.

 

I just don't see this happening since it would be almost physically impossible not to mention that the demand for such things would be minimal at best.

 

"And thus, quite lame...Awwww!"

 

How about a slab that is round and not much bigger than the coin itself, much like an Air-Tite, but is sealed like a slab and contains a TPG label and grade around the edge?

Bonus points if you can figure out which prominent numismatist suggested something like this in the early-mid 1990s.

 

Well it's been done: http://www.davidlawrence.com/invent...&-Mint-Sets/gnm/Proof-&-Mint-Sets/lotid/14384

But in this case you could fit (full size) dollar size coins in it. I think it's a good idea but unnecessarily huge. There's plenty of room for a grade for each coin - which this example does not have.

Cracking out one coin - that would be a problem. This idea might work for re-holders or if you're really satisfied with your set.

I agree it keeps costs down for the TPG - the savings they pass on to us! (?)

I personally think it's a great idea - when I start my own TPG I will offer this!

 

Can you imagine how many stickers would be on a multi-coin slab? It would look like my dresser when I collected garbage pail kids stickers in the 70's.

 

These slabs are really just novelties. The companies explored them as an option, but they were not popular and didn't sustain a following. Sure they pass the cost on to you, it's called making a profit from a service and product they've created. The multi-coin holders are problematic, as are thick slabs used for medals and oversized slabs used for larger pieces like Swiss medals or modern 5 oz. silver coins because they present just as much storage issues as does OGP and original cases such things come in from their mints.

Here's one of these novelty slabs I have, with two coins (US and France) silver commemorative coins from the 1986 Statue of Liberty centennial. They're just given "GEM BU" grades.

 

Sorry, but the OP said "Standard Size" slab. Multi-coin slabs have been around since at least 2001 with PCGS and NGC but these are fairly big slabs. Certainly not standard size slabs.

Here's a pic I took yesterday of 3 dimes on a "Standard Size" slab:



There is very little room for the protective inserts not to mention the fact that the label would be over crowded and nearly unreadable. Cents would be out of the question and I really don't think that there'd be enough interest to sustain such a program.

 

Now this is lame or lazy I dropped a NH broad struck quarter and the slab cracked (NGC) so I re-slab ed it my self

 

Bowers? Makes sense for those that like to put their coins in albums.

 

That is correct.

 

I don't think we have anything to say about it. I mean it happens all the time now. The dimes up there are a very good example, looks way too busy for my liking.

 

That second photo is not an NGC slab.

Chris

 

Thanks I know I thought I had deleted it. That was my first try using the NGC insert but the Coin World one worked better

 

I love you for actually taking and posting the pic