The small white holders began in late 1989. They continued through Feb 2005 when they introduced the round bottom blue label holders. The small white holders did continue after that but only for problem coins. In April 2007 the first fake ANACS slabs appeared in the white problem coin holders. In June 2007 the small white holders ended completely and they began putting the problem coin in the round bottom blue label slabs as well. The first of Sept 2007 the square bottom blue labels came out.
@Conder101 I may have asked you for this before: A history of all the different slabs. You know so much and as time goes by much of the past may get loss or be subject to misinformation. Do you think it would be a good idea to start a new thread where members can post all they know about changes in the TPGS slabs. Then it could be edited/condensed/verified and put into one place on CT. We could include SEGS, PCI, Accugrade, INSAB, and Hallmark too. I think you know much of this already and perhaps it is published in the "Sample Slab" book already. Anyway, I for one am more interested in the regular issues. What do you and others think? How should we title the new thread?
Sounds like a fun project. It might need to be one thread per TPG. It would be tough to follow if several are mixed in the same thread. Conder has already made a few threads like this in the past.
I know several of the graders who worked/are working at TPGS. However, while some may know historical stuff, they may not know about the changes in the slabs.
Actually the threads typically cover the generations of the slabs. What would be fun would be to intermix the history too... The problem is that so much of it is forgotten or nobody seems to care.
I truly find the whole TPGS variety of slabs confusing but interesting. I collect all sample slabs i can get my mitts on. Message me if anyone has any for sale,trade, or just topic information. I would love a book that lists all the different slabbed varieties throughout 3rd party graders.
There is a 2015 book by David Schwager on Sample Slabs, the 2nd Edition will be out in August - check SampleSlabsBook.com
You gotta work pretty hard in numismatics to come up with something nobody's written about yet. If you do, get to work!
OK, I shall: Your post above is another example of nothing. It is worthless. If I knew who Laura was, it might be funny. Now, with a name like @Coinchemistry 2012 you should be able to post something to enlighten all of us - something of value. Preaching over. Hope you take me up on my suggestion.
One of the principals of Legend Numismatics (a well known national coin dealership dealing in high end coins) is named Laura, and she is known for publishing a highly controversial blog entitled "Hot Topics." Many collectors have a good laugh at some of it. While there are nuggets of valuable information and wisdom, she sometimes engages in a confrontational and counterproductive style that make for an engaging and entertaining read. I thought everyone knew who Laura was, and would get the joke although your comments could be construed as anti-Laura. I tried; tough crowd...
Don't let it bother you. I thought it was funny. Not many folks here hang out over on CU. Laura can really stir things up.
Not necessarily available in the sample slab book (since I don't own a copy I can't say), but the information IS available in Conder's own book Third Party Grading/Certification Services.
Other than being out of print and out of date (a lot of new material from existing services, new services, new discoveries, etc. has surfaced since 2002), it's a very valuable reference. If you are a member, you can borrow Conder's book from the ANA library.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF INFORMATIVE POST I expect on CT when members are not bantering. I know Laura enough to walk up to her and say hello. I admire what she has accomplished and have praised her grading skills in the past. I did not know she wrote a newsletter. I've been known to stir the pot myself. When I get on line, I wish to learn something or educate people when I feel I can. Nothing was going on at the when I wrote and I felt like I was wasting time on the Internet.
I know how it can be on a slow day here Tho sometimes my attempts to stir the pot get me warnings. Or worse