Slab vs. Raw

I already know the easy answer to this question.

My personal preference is to fill my IS books with circ/uncirc and proof coins so I have a book that eventually will be filled. I just don't want to hassle with separate slabbed coins that would not be part of my various sets/books. For example, I will and would pay $100+ plus for that 09 S VDB (or another key) that I can put on my IS book. I don't want to have a hole the book, but have a separate slabbed coin somewhere else.

Now if the coin is $10,000 that's a different story.

What's everyone else's opinion on this?

I have seen some threads about breaking the coins out of the slabs for what ever reason. I do not sell only buy, so that is my preference. Anyone have "lessons learned" from my approach?

 

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Here's what Illini had to say about his experience:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=675268

 

I keep that thread in my mind all the time...

 

I personally love both! I have my books and slabs and extras. I do not think I could break my slabs though! Even the ones I've air-tited I will never open! The hunt is what I love, finding that upgrade, error, or pre-64 silver!

 

I think there is a market for raw coins that you can put in your albums. I know of a dealer that buys problem coins off Teletrade which are discounted, cracks them out, and puts them in 2 x 2's and sells to collectors sometimes for big profit. He says his main market are collectors wanting stuff in their albums. He recently sold a key coin for $3300 (CW Trends was $7000) he got off TTR for $800 (it had rim repair but tough to see). So collector got super deal and he made real good $2500 profit on it. We shared table at show - I was amazed. Later he sought my advice on what if guy came back next day for refund. I told him I could understand his nervousness and asked if he was ready to make a quick escape - run Forest, run. All sight seen sales are final I asked (LOL)? But not to worry guy did not come back.

 

Well you guys know that I love my registry set of Jefferson Nickels, but did you know I also have a crackout album collection?


http://www.coinforums.com/groups/jefferson+nickels/cracking+up%3F++no!++cracking+out!-15/

I guess my take on the subject is that if the coin is inexpensive (less than $100) I am in favor of cracking out if that is what the collector desires.

 

personally, i don't own a slabbed coin. when i do get a slabbed coin, i crack it out. i have enjoyed learning to grade coins and slabs don't offer that as very few "buy the coin and not the slab." too many (both dealers and collectors) take the slab's grade as absolute. grading is an opinion, not a science. the only good thing i see about a slab is that it offers a guarantee of authenticity, but any reputable dealer will offer that same guarantee on a coin they sell. prove it's a fake, and a reputable dealer will give you your money back.

 

raw though I do own one slabed coin.

 

I'm not a slab only guy but there is more to it then just authenticity to me. It's the second opinion that is nice and the marketability that is good too.
Imagine buying a house without an independent appraisal of what the house is worth.

 

I'm with Swish! a lot of folks will think me an idiot, I'll buy a slabbed three legged Buff to finish my collection (for authenticity), then I'll crack her open to insert in my Whitman with her brothers and sisters! Collection finished.. on to the Next series!
Steve

 

Idiot...nah.
To each his own. It's your collection.
But my way is to not crack out a key or high dollar to put in an album.

 

"Imagine buying a house without an independent appraisal of what the house is worth." Nice analogy, Duke!
Steve

 

I do my best. lol

I actually think that the graded coins are best for the new to the hobby the most as they are the worst at grading. But it might also hinder them in the long run by just believing the holders are perfectly graded everytime...

 

Wow! that was a very interesting read. Sounds like slab smashing is more like three step backward and then two steps forward. Why not just start with slabs. I like the wooden boxes.

 

I usually buy raw but the few coins I have bought slabbed I have kept in their slabs.

 

Same here. The slabbed ones I do have will stay in their slabs because I feel they'll bring more if I decide to sell them.

 

well.... some slabs are meant to be broken

 

When you have a slabbed anything be it coin or currency most of the time
You know what you have! the raw way not so much!

 

collect both.

 

lol That's not a slab