OK, I collect slabs for their historical value. That means that along the way I've accumulated a collection of the true basement and sub-basement slabs. FPG (First Party Graders). Unsealed (think INB and SGS). &c I really hate the idea of these ending up on fleaBay 20 years from now as some fabulous MS70-graded piece-of-dreck. For many of these slabbers, there is a clear oldest and newest (i.e. cert# or sometimes the coin - a 2000P Sacagewa cannot have been slabbed before 2000). I'm thinking of keeping the lowest cert# and the oldest cert# and maybe something that has a special grade (an SGS slabbed Ag3 would qualify)... Put the rest in 2x2s and donate to the Youth auction at TNA or something like that. Or maybe doing some trades... For example, since it's sitting on my desk... HCGS (Hallmark Coin Grading Service) Code: Cert# Coin 23 MS70 2004-P WI 50SQ 32 MS70 2000P Lincoln cent 33 MS70 2005D Sacagewa 95 MS70 2005-D Ocean in View Jefferson 5c 126 MS68 1971 Kennedy Half So I'd keep the WI and Kennedy and put the rest into the donate bucket... What do all y'all think? (NB: if you see this ATS [CCF], only one vote per person, please)
Please share images of these basement slabs - I myself would be very intrigued to see them. I've thought of doing my own little series of basement slabs. But I certainly wouldn't be giving 'mega grades' and would avoid modern coins altogether.
If they are taking up too much space and you are worried about these flooding the bay in 20 years, then I'm ok with just keeping the oldest/newest plus oddball examples of each and freeing the rest. Note: if any are u1toning/ddddd slabs, don't dare destroy those. That's at least a $25 value on eBay!
I'm not a fan of changing holders without a really good reason. It's a risk that I don't need to take at this time. Just changing holders can bring on changes to the coin. The grading service or what the label has to say is not important to me. To me, there are a few good reasons. If the coin is already at risk and I feel the coin can be helped. I'm thinking PVC problems. Next is when I decide to start selling and each coin stands on it's own. Many factors come into play at that point. Will it bring a better price and cover the time and cost of having it graded again by one of the top TPGs? Does the current holder have a collector value? Next is being honest with myself on the grade and value. Look at each coin and form your own fresh opinion.
I actually have a special box for well meaning self promotional stuff (seriously, your slab is next to my "With Appreciation XYZ Coin Club"). Nah, I'm talking the INB MS70 class here. Abon Coins/Star Grading Service. Bob's Foreign Auto Repair and Coin Grading Service.
Another idea: come up with your own @Burton Strauss III sticker to put on top of each slab that will identify it as "bottom of the barrel basement slab" or "worse than dreck" ....I figure either option would get the message across to future generations.
If you are talking about true basement level junk slabs that are heinously over graded, I wouldn’t see the point in keeping them. However, I would be interested in collecting the ones from companies that made an honest effort at grading. Accugrade, early PCI, SEGS, etc. Unless of course it’s a high value coin that would result in money being left on the table by not putting it in a first world holder.
