How much value does COA & Original Box/Packaging add to collectible value?

A little while ago I asked a similar question here (though it's long since scrolled off into history) and the response was an overwhelming "KEEP THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING!!"

So I did.

 

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I always keep OGP capsules like the Canada one below, since they fit in the pages so nicely, just like the Quadrums. Same with all similarly sized square capsules (e.g. select Austrian silver proofs). I wish the US Mint packaged coins like this. The typical OGP offerings are lack luster and too cheaply made, IMHO. The traditional circular ones rotate in the pages and are more loosely held, which is why I made the switch from Air-tites to Quadrums.

'Pic from the net:

 

A lot, if it was a classic (1892-1954) commemorative in original packaging with COA. (Is that even how they came?)

 

I think after some deliberation, my position is that I'll keep classic and older OGPs (so generally 1950's and prior). Even the early tab holders that GDJMSP posted a pic of above have a certain antique appeal to them.

But modern OGPs I won't keep unless they're only the square Quadrum-like capsules. That makes me wonder... if after a couple or so decades from now, will there be an antique appeal to these modern OGPs?

By the way, I've said this before, but this Poland proof's OGP is what I'm referring to below. Maybe use an inert black foam instead like the Canada one below, and include a silvered text with basic info. It'll be like the US Mint is slabbing their own coins, while minimizing cost and material waste - no clam shell display case, no separate COA (maybe include that info as mini silvered text on the underside of the inert foam), a basic protective sleeve over the square capsule, and they slide right in perfectly into the 12-pocket archival pages. I'd say this is one of the rarer times that it'd be value-added by having less. I'd keep these as-is (maybe w/o the sleeve though).

 

We have 5 coin shops in the Metro Area and I've asked them this same question when I've bought a slabbed coin and they've offered me the OGP. Each of them felt that unless the slabbed coins fit into the OGP, it was not worth keeping. For example, the American Silver Eagle 25th Anniversary Set, in PCGS or NGC slabs fits perfectly into the original box the raw coins came in. It makes a nice storage and/or display case. Same for the two San Francisco and West Point Sets. It's tough to not save though nicely made lacquered boxes.

 

I don't think a GSA Morgan is complete without the OGP and the certificate.

 

I think that GSA Morgans are an exception. PCGS even slabs those slabs!

 

NGC just puts a special grading tape on the GSA slab.

 

PCGS, NGC, and ANACS used to break them open before they graded a GSA Morgan. I have a PCGS slab that has on the card GSA besides the Grade of the CC Morgan. Enough people complained that now NGC and ANACS evaluate the coin in the GSA slab and then put a holographic seal on the top edge and a band around the bottom. The band includes the grade. PCGS puts the grade on a band around the bottom of the GSA slab and then encapsulates the whole GSA slab into another slab that completely surrounds the original GSA slab.
I agree that it's important to save the box and registration card for the GSA slab.

 

100% correct. As a LIONEL follower the boxes are critical to collectors and have a rating scale C1-C10 that adds considerable value to the item. An entire year collection from the 1960's of Matchbox cars with boxes doubles the entire collection value, for example. As stated they were "usually thrown away". Plus these items weren't mass produced as in the millions as "collectibles, but toys for use.

 

I use the following: if the coin is moderately to highly collectable, I save everything that came with the OGP. If it's just an average coin the has bullion value and is graded and not likely to go up much in the future I chuck the packaging. I may live to regret this, but the OGP just takes up so much more room than just the slab.

I'm old school and coins just used to come in a small cardboard box, if even that. Look at Chinese gold and silver Pandas, they come in a capsule incased in a sealed plastic baggy. (for gold they put the baggy in a small cardboard box)

If the US mint would take a break with the fancy packaging, then maybe they could lower the cost of the coins they sell. Look at the recent gold Mercury dime, they sold $127 worth of gold for $205, and I'm sure part of that price was for the fancy box and packaging it came in.

 

Well we know that GSA Morgans are good as-is, and the Brown Ikes have a similar look to them, which hasn't been repeated by the US Mint in their offerings, at least from what I know. Yet, there are probably millions of them floating around. Though, to me, it feels wrong to break them out of the OGP, and I feel like I should simply buy a raw example instead. And conversely, if I'm going to get a GSA Morgan, it'll probably pair nicely right next to a Brown Ike holder (i.e. both dollars yet a contrast in value 100 years later).

I'm repeating this point but I can't say it enough - a shrunken down square holder version of the Brown Ike slabs on all US Mint coins would be nice

 

So far, the holders for the GSA Morgan Dollars seem to inert and have not effected the coin, but unfortunately the same can not be same for the Brown Box Ike Dollars. I can't tell you the number of members of the coin club I belong to that have complained about the Ike Dollars "fogging" in the OGP holders. Most of the members are now breaking them out and putting them in the small plastic holders sized for silver dollars. I haven't had the problem, but I'm debating whether or not to do the same. We live in New Mexico, so humidity is definitely NOT the problem.

I have the Proof silver Ikes in PR69DCam and the Uncirculated Silver Ikes in MS67 in PCGS holders and I sleep better knowing that their holders are the closest thing to airtight you can buy.

 

Actually, they're not even *close* to that....people can and do artificially tone coins in TPG slabs.

 

I feel as if a lot of it has to do with, given the era, the quality and substance of the packaging. That Louisiana Purchase gold dollar is presented well, and some may say that the paper is "cheap", but the presentation and the handcrafted nature of it gives it a nice touch that you won't get with cheap machined parts. And, is that a hand signed COA on a nicer piece of paper for that LP gold dollar (whereas, modern COA papers are uber thin and flimsy)?

The 50's era paper coin slot holders have a nice antique look to them, but I wouldn't mind having it or not. I'd probably end up selling it.

So, to me, it's not only the quality of materials used, it's the quality and craft that went into it, which are utilized to present the coin with class. That's not to say that some folks will or will not prefer OGP no matter what. But, in terms of long term value and general attractiveness towards the OGP by the numismatic community, I feel it has to do with the aforementioned qualities.

 

Unless the packaging is unusually large I keep it with coins that are OGP, if the coins are graded then I have to decide if the packaging and COA are worth saving. As I said earlier, every once in a while the mint inadvertently makes packaging that fits the coins when they are graded. Best example- the 25th anniversary set of American Silver Eagles when graded fits into the original mint box perfectly and makes a nice storage and presentation of the graded coins.

Rarely do people on eBay, unless they are dealers, include packaging or COAs with graded coins- it adds to postage and needs a bigger box.

I think anyone who cracks a Morgan Dollar or Redfield Coin out of its GSA or Paramount holder is definitely making a mistake. The grading companies have acknowledged this and are grading GSA Morgans in the GSA holder.

 

Years ago you didn't have a choice. The TPG's did it for you. Even more lately, I was amazed, when I found out the handcrafted case on my 2009 gold HR coin would be thrown away if I didn't specify I wanted it. They didn't want anything but the coin itself. That is the way they excepted coins at coin shows as well. They asked you to take it out of any holder it was in. Now, for some packaging, this has changed.