Through an interesting ebay auction, I came upon a parallel hobby which would unnerve all those who say "buy the coin, not the slab" http://cgi.ebay.com/2002-Austria-1-...5QQihZ020QQcategoryZ39479QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Sorry, but I find the idea that these sell for this sort of premium quite ridiculous! http://www.sampleslabs.com/
Wow, had no idea there was an actual "rare" slab market. I've got a bunch of '64 Kennedy halves in sample slabs, maybe I should put them on auction.:kewl:
That's another braindead vendor who IS definitely an idiot who has fooled a few people.More to the point,he's kidding himself. In Aussie,they'd say,"What a drongo!". That is one reason why I am so strongly against slabbing.As the old adage goes,'Buy the coin NOT the slab!'. Aidan.
inre jaytant, by reading your location I can only guess that you are refering to Columbus or the immediate area. Go Bucks! About your question about the slab. Already, when two identical coins in the top grade are sold at auction, the PCGS always commands the higher price. The toys I received at Christmas when I was a tyke command very high prices today and a far larger amount if they are in the original box. My point is that there is value in packaging. Value is determined by how many people want something and the slab adds a level of confidence to the unsophisticated collector. IMHO coin collecting in the US will not go the way of the tulip (flower) catastrophe that happened in Holland a few hundred years ago. There is a solid demand and the hobby is considered patriotic by most but there is something to be said for the "slabs". I only commented because when I read different coin forums most think to buy the coin and not the slab.
Sample slabs are highly collected. I did not know this until a few years ago when I saw them for sale at a show, and people were buying them.
inre Treashunt, I hope that when you write about selling slabs, are that they are sealed and have a coin in them and that someone could not buy one and then insert their own coin.
Slabs from the top-tier TPGs can't be opened without leaving evidence, but There are slab-type containers available from Capital Plastics, and others, and Slabs from many of the cr@p-tier TPGs can be opened easily and then reclosed.
Now that is interesting! I didn't know people collected slabs. You learn something new every day! Pheonxi
I have seen this before and I don't see the big deal. There are people that will collect anything...especially something that has fairly limited numbers. The coins placed in the sample slabs are not rare and as a result, the colectible part has become the slab itself because it allows one to see the evolution of a particular grading company. If they were putting MS-67 Morgan's in the slab and people were collecting for the slab thats one thing...but with common coins in them, the slab becomes rarer than the coin itself. It's not my thing, but "to each is his own." Remember, there are some who think coin collecting is stupid.
That was kind of my point... that people will collect anything! That's why I referred to it as a parallel hobby... First time I ever thought that people would collect the plastic that is used to collect coins! But then again, people collect toenails, so no collection could officially be called "stupid" (thanks richie for the "to each is his own" line, gives a different perspective!) Btw, Im from Akron, but still, go Buckeyes!
The collection of the various slabs that have been used over the years is a quite serious undertaking. There is even a book on the subject.
AHHHH yes the I collect anything idea. Now it's the coin slabs. Geee, what is next. I am guilty myself of collecting just way to much STUFF. I collect coins, stamps, flashlights, knives, archery items, spears, swords, Thhowing stars, Hot Wheel cars, cameras, camera equipment and according to my neighbors just way to much stuff. Had to start giving away things lately. Glad of that. I had 16 vacuum cleaners and now down to only 7. However, I hate slabbed coins. Most expensive coins I only buy in a slab but then it's to the sabre saw opening the things and not much left except pieces of plastic. I thought I was bad but someone that collects the slabs coins come in is really nutty.
That pretty sums up my opinion as well! Do you ever go to the monthly coin sale in Talmadge? I'm about a half hour from there.
I didnt know there was one in Tallmagde, Ive been to the monthly show in Green (Tadmore)... When and where is it?
I was in error. I checked the address and it is the one at Tadmore. I haven't been there yet myself, but a co-worker goes every month, and I will probably accompany him to the May or June show. I don't think there is a show scheduled for July. He tells me there is usually a fair amount of exonumia there.
