Hello All, I'm considering buying an ancient coin like the one pictured, but I'm concerned about the slab size. I currently have a small binder with album pages that fits slabs of the standard NGC type. Does anybody know how the thickness of a slab like the one pictured compares to the standard NGC slab thickness? Given the "window" design of it, it makes me think that it might be thicker, but I'm having a hard time finding this out. I see references to "double thick" holders, but I'm not sure if this is one of them. I just don't want to risk buying a coin that (literally) doesn't fit into my collection. Thank you in advance! -Chris
Hello Chris and welcome to CT. I'm going to warn you that most ancient collectors hate slabbed coins so don't be surprised if some folks on here might seem a bit harsh to your question (take it easy guys ). To answer your question the slab will be significantly thicker due to the high relief of the type. The slab will probably be at least 15 mm thick. Nice coin btw. Here is my example. https://www.cointalk.com/threads/is...at-looked-like-a-diadochi-tetradrachm.294408/ If you buy it I recommend that you crack it out of the holder! There is nothing like holding a piece of history in your bare hands.
Thank you for the quick response! That is very helpful to know. I have definitely sensed the opposition by many to slabbing coins like this. My only concern is how to make it fit in my existing collection, and I'm not sure how to do that with an ancient coin. I guess it's my own fault for wanting to add just a single ancient coin to an otherwise modern coin collection, but acquiring a nice ancient coin has just piqued my interest lately! It's a bit difficult not knowing what the thickness of the coin is for that reason, but I guess the variation of ancient coins is one of the things that makes them special. Very nice coin by the way! I hope to have one like it myself soon
Welcome to the ancient coin collecting. A better question that will the holder fit in my binder is: Is the holder large enough to hold the coin without touching? I have seen several tets in holders where the coin touched the inside of the holder. I do not know if this was a problem that has been corrected, but I would not want my coin wearing on hard plastic. I have seen pages with different sized inserts. You should be able to find a page to fit the holder. Someone like @Deacon Ray with ancients in slabs (a small subset of ancient coin collectors) will have to answer your question. My only coin in a slab is still there because I like the reverse but not the obverse. I suspect it will be sold to someone who likes slabs.
Thanks also RRDenarius for that insight. I could see how this would happen, again due to varying coin thickness. I guess that's something to look out for as well. By the way, I meant to ask a follow-up question. Does anybody know if the thickness of holders like this one varies? This holder doesn't have the "window" look to it like the first holder I posted, and it looks almost exactly like the regular NGC slab. Does that mean it is the same thickness as the original NGC coin slab used for modern coins?
I have only ever bought 2 slabbed ancients. One was in a 15 mm thick slab and the other was a bit over 10 mm thick which is the standard modern size (I think). Not sure if there are sizes in between.
Welcome to the Ancient Forum, @thegreatdane ! Yes—I confess—I've done my fair share of slabbing but I have a slab free collection too. Good question but I don't think that the Thracian Tetradrachm requires an extra thick NGC slab. The outside slab dimension would be the standard 1 x 6 x 8.5 centimeters—the same as used for moderns.
I own 50ish slabs with ancients. It seems they come in 2 generic sizes. Traditional: 9.52 mm (3/8") Thick: 14.28 mm (9/16") I own Lighthouse's Encap Sheets for slabs and they were made for the traditional slabs. If you place your thick slabs on the three inside spots, it seems to work best. The plastic buttons that click in and hold the page together will not completely click together, but the other 2 rows will, so it holds the page together and works. That Lysimachus tet appears to be of the thicker, 14.28 mm ilk. I have 3 separate pages with 9 thick slabs on the inside row and they have held together just fine. i.e.
Actually I'm planning to free a couple of them but I think when I do I'm going to use the shop-vise method. I'll be wearing gloves and safety goggles of course
Thanks for all the help everyone. "Iamtiberius," your post was EXACTLY what I needed! Now I know I can safely buy an ancient slabbed coin (or get one slabbed) and not have to find a brand new storage solution. That is a great looking collection by the way! One that I am considering purchasing myself is below. In my mind, this Tetradrachm is absolutely gorgeous. I've been researching variations of the Lysimachus Tetradrachm (superb post on that "Curtisimo"!), and this is one of the nicest that I've seen in terms of wear, toning, and general eye appeal.
When searching for Lysimachus tets, I always look for the die types whose Celator was able to capture decent depth of field around the ammonite horn and the different devices surrounding Minerva, i.e. the shield, spear, and seat. This example captures both. The light orange and iridescent toning in the deep fields adds to the overall appeal. This is an excellent piece that I wouldn't mind having in my own collection.
