What About New Glass/Plastic Slabs ?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by GoldFinger1969, Jan 17, 2020.

  1. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Hey, what exactly are the plastic slabs -- or at least the part directly above the coin -- made of ?

    I had to get something framed the other day and I came across this Museum Glass that was super-transparent.

    Seems to me that if the TPGs offereed new slabs with stronger/clearer/reflection-free holders that you might incentivize lots of people to send in for the new slabs with older stuff.....get the picture database updated...and insert new anti-counterfeit stuff included in the slab.

    Thoughts ?

    Museum Glass.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2020
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  3. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    I have some old rock & roll memorabilia framed behind that museum glass. It is supposed to protect the displayed item from UV rays. I like it.
     
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  4. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Randy, do you know what plastic or acryllic the slabs are made of ?
     
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  5. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    As mentioned in the photo, it is GLASS and still breakable, as glass is. I've had many a painting and photograph framed with museum glass to cut down the glare, but as I said, it will break as easily as regular glass, so I don't see it being used to slab coins.
     
  6. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    Maybe some of the new acrylics or other composite plastics are an improvement from what was used 25-30 years ago ?
     
  7. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    No sir, I cannot say. I am confident they are not acrylic though.
     
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  8. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I'd rather have them like they are today. Any change and the TPG's would charge a higher price.
     
  9. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    I'd be willing to pay a few $$$ more if it was better plastic/composite/glass/whatever....improved anti-counterfeiting...and increased the picture database.

    Preventing fraud is a HUGE boon to the hobby.
     
  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Yes but I just can't see it making things better.
     
  11. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    Every few years, the TPGs update their slabs to make them clearer, more scratch resistant, stronger, etc. They also have experimented with different coatings.

    Glass would be bad because, as mentioned, it is too fragile. Imagine how easily your phone shatters - would you want a coin in that?

    And, the exact type of plastic they use is a trade secret. They won't tell you.
     
  12. Santinidollar

    Santinidollar Supporter! Supporter

    I like the museum glass but there would be two issues: durability and cost.
     
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  13. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

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  14. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Makes sense it would be. But seems to me I've read about the type of plastic it is and the company/ies that makes the slabs for them. But I can't recall off the top of my head who it is/was.
     
  15. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Some slabs are acrylic, just depends who makes them.
     
  16. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    Thanks for the correction. I had always differentiated acrylic from plastic in. My mind as two entirely separate materials.
     
  17. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    There's many different companies who make and sell slabs, not just the TPGs. Some are made of the same materials as the ones the TPGs use and some aren't.
     
  18. GoldFinger1969

    GoldFinger1969 Well-Known Member

    I read where Chinese companies make the slab parts ? Could that be right ?
     
  19. wxcoin

    wxcoin Getting no respect since I was a baby

    My guess is that they do.
     
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  20. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    In some cases I'm sure it is.
     
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  21. Mainebill

    Mainebill Bethany Danielle

    I’ve used it for watercolors and needlework to prevent fading. I usually just use regular glass and avoid sunlight but on a few hi dollar or extremely delicate items I have like the pair of samplers dated 1789 and 1794 that had literally never seen daylight and the colors in the thread were as bright as the day they were made Many better frame shops carry it too
     
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