How many like it raw?

Ok, I understand there are a lot of folks that just love slabs. To know with out, well, MUCH of a doubt that what they have is real, the grade is set, value can be ascribed to a pretty good degree that the coin is what it is. I,however, am of the opposite side on this, ah, debate shall we say. There is something about a raw coin, in it's natural state that has charm, has allure to it. To hold something going back in time to the depression to the birth of America and beyond is something that cannot be put into words, or should I say words do it no justice. Just by holding the coin I am part of it's history. This is something that just does not come from holding a piece of plastic.
Now, I truly understand why slabs can be appealing, I can and I am not knocking those that believe in slabs. I just thought I might offer something from the raw side. So, I ask, how many prefer their coin collecting raw?

 

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There are few monopolies out there that I respect.
NGC and PCGS are part of that minority in my eyes

 

All of my best coins are slabbed, for obvious reasons. But I keep two Dansco sets raw. Large cents, 1793-1857, and Lincolns 1909-2009.

The former collection is worth 20x what the raw ones are worth. I have more fun with the raw ones.
Lance.

 

Either works for me. High grade slabbed, lower grade in albums.

 

I hear what you are saying. There is something about holding a Diecletus Roman Coin from almost 2,000 years ago. Just amazing about it, but at the same time I kind of view slabs as preservers of history; Museum protection in a way.

 

I have a premium set I work on in slabs. I also have 2 different danscos I am working on. I buy the coin. But when it's a primo coin that fits my premium set, it goes in a slab.

 

Business strikes raw, proofs in slabs. I collect early proofs so it is good protection for them. Album slide marks are just too easy to get on proofs.

 

I go all raw, unless it is an expensive coin and/or highly counterfeited, or I see one that I really want. I am a collector, not an investor. So value or resale doesn't matter to me. I do understand why some folks really prefer slabs though. Either way, it's all good! :hail:

 

Isn't FUN the only goal though Lance? I feel the same as you, if I owned slabbed coins, (I have owned them in the past, bought in groups, etc), I never felt any connection to the coin, any fun. I am at the point in my life I can give a crap about what my coins would sell for, or what anyone else thinks about them. I am in it for fun and education, not for "investing" or anything that takes the fun out of it.

So, for me, I saw out any slabs I get if I want to keep the coin, or sell them to someone else who wishes to own plastic. Its just not for me. There is just a world of difference between holding a bulky piece of plastic, and holding a coin issued by Cleopatra VII, or the Roman Republic, or a historically unknown ruler in Central Asia.

Chris

 

But its still unproven Jason. About every type of new "protection" the last 200 years collectors have dreamt up have ended up doing more harm to the coin than something as simply as a nice tray. I wouldn't be so quick to assume we KNOW that a slab is better protection yet. Remember, slabs are only about 25 years old, and these coins have been around for millenia longer than that.

 

Raw is definitely more fun than 'holdered'. On the other hand, you can't beat 'slabbed' when it comes to selling......

 

i don't sell coins, i collect them, hence, i am a coin collector. raw is the only type of coin in my collection.

 

I like mine raw. There are only two reasons for me to buy slabbed. One is if its a key date coin that is heavily counterfeited or if the price of the graded coin is the same price as the raw one.

 

I also like raw coins as they seem to look more real than those that are in slabs.
Also its the ones i can afford and have no problem with those that show off the slab coins they have.
Many like me want coins they can hold in hand and touch it as it makes you feel its more the real coin that you hold.
I want to own some slab coins one day and will but not now as times are not so good and my money needs to go else where.
Maybe i just like coins and would take them in any state they come in.
Heck i even have some that you can barely tell they are coins.
Iam just a coin lover and any and all excite me.

 

For me, coin collecting is not a business; it's a pleasure. Therefore, I prefer raw. I don't give a rat's behind what a coin is worth; if I like a coin, I like the coin. I do see the value, however, of getting certain coins slabbed. What I don't see the value in is the current slab-o-mania going on with common modern bullion. Getting American Eagles, Pandas, etc., slabbed, in my mind, if you collect coins for pleasure, is pretty silly.

 

Raw is definitely my preference. I'm a collector, not investor, and selling isn't in my future.

 

My only goal is collecting not investing. That being said, a day like today is a high focus, super enjoyable "collecting" day. It's raining here in Boise and it's Sunday which is ideal for indulging my passion. It doesn't get any better than opening the safe, removing a particular set and studying each coin. NOW, the important part - all the coins are MS and slabbed so I can handle them all with no fear of the dreaded fingerprint or "dropped coin" syndrome. I mean, isn't the US all about freedom? I am free to mishandle them any way I want.:yes:

 

Raw.

 

Honestly, thinking about it, I resent even the term "raw" that was introduced by the TPGers. "Raw" connotes unfinished, like our coins are not final until they rest in one of their little plastic coffins. I much prefer a word like natural, so I will intentionally never use "raw" to describe an unslabbed coin again.

Many times wars are won and lost on wording.

 

I have plenty of TPG graded coins, but my preference is for raw (natural, au natural :devil:, unslabbed, or untombed) coins. TC