I was in a dealer's shop today and my fiance made the "mistake" of asking if he had any slabbed coins. I say "mistake" because the guy seemed to be offended and go crazy. Then he called us lazy for not learning how to grade ourselves and relying on thrid party grading companies to do the work for us. I was slightly offended, but he was only kidding. But that made us wonder. How many people feel the same as this? Do you like to send out your coins to be certified, or do you grade them yourslef and save the money?
The coins I collect to place in my special albums must have a really good grade... but that is according to my eye, and using and the book "Photograde" to help me determine if an older circulated coin is being offered at a ridiculous price. If you have a perfect coin and want to get it graded and slabbed, then you go ahead and do it, but be sure to choose a well recognized company. Oh, and I have been known to find a good deal on a slabbed coin and bust it out to put in my album. jeankay
My own personal opinion is everybody needs to learn how to grade - slab or no slab. And I have absolutely no problems with slabs - yes I have sent a few coins in for slabbing and to see how I would do against the pro's. I found it enlightening. I also am not shy about asking questions with my dealer, especially when it comes to grading. Sorry to say, but mistakes will be made while people learn to grade. The more you learn the more you minimize the mistakes. My dealer is not quite as bad, but he does not really like slabs either.
I have a few graded by PCGS and NGC, and only a very small few the rest are ungraded as I like to use coinedge holders but I do like PCGS holders' look and given protection
It all depends on what you want. Yes, there are many dealers that don't like slabbed coins for various reasons. Personally, I think they are a minority and that the minority is shrinking day by day. Yes, you should absolutely learn how to grade for yourself. But there is really no reason for you to ever need to submit a coin to a TPG. In the 20 plus years they have existed I have never submitted even 1 coin for grading. But I have bought thousands of them already slabbed. In my opinion, the advantages of buying a slabbed coin far outweigh any disadvantages. But the question you really need to ask yourself is whether or nor you should spend a significant sum (whatever that amount may be for you) on any coin, slabbed or raw, until you know what you are buying. That also applies to any group of coins purchased over a period of time - for then the amount can be even larger. Ya see, not all slabbed coins are graded correctly - even those slabbed by NGC & PCGS. And it would be all too easy for you to purchase one of these and grossly over-pay for it. All because you didn't know what you were buying. Or worded otherwise - because you could not grade it accurately yourself and thus judge whether the TPG did or not. On the other hand, buying raw coins can be 10 times as risky as buying a slabbed coin without the proper knowledge & experience. So if you are absolutely going to buy and you don;t have the knowledge & experience - then only buy slabbed coins.
The only coin that I own that is in a slab is my !982-ddr (my avatar).It is in a slab because Charles Daughtry Ddd the work on it and was part of the PCI signature series. The slab states on it that it is the discovery coin. Other than that I keep them raw. Richard
99.9% of my coins are raw. I use the ANA book. I will, however, be placing a lot of the better ones in PCGS or NGC slabs. I've stated the reason before but here it is again. If something happens to me it will be much easier for my wife to sell recognized slabs at the best price. Idieally they would go to serious collectors but I'm sure some would end up in the hands of "investors" that never have taken the time to learn grading. Any serious collector should learn to grade IMHO. clembo
Personally, I grade my own coins and those of friends who ask me. I can also BBQ or grill good enough to not need any special post grill flavor additives which usually detract from the items flavor they're applied to. IMHO, using steak sauce simply turns a prime/choice cut into nothing but expensive hamburger. And, a lot more hamburger get's sold than good cuts of steak. Now, apply principle to numismatics and it's just what the TPGs wanted in the first place. Think about it... Take Care Ben
But Ben isn't there a "seasoning" you use. Seem to remember that Good analagy though BTW. I don't eat choice meat all of the time (can't afford it) so it gets more doctoring and I'm come up with some pretty good doctoring methods if I do say so myself. However, when I splurge and buy a choice cut of meat it gets fresh ground pepper and perhaps a bit of salt and butter AFTER cooking. All three of those have been used forever on meats and I just happen to like butter.
Of course but that's added PRIOR to grilling. Nothing more than a 2x2 paper flip when compared numismatically...
certified i like tpg slabbed coins for many of the reasons that gdjmsp has stated. i buy them and i feel i know how to grade also. i also send back a coin that i don't agree with as far as the grade given. that's why it's important to deal with reputable dealers and collectors. steve
I could never see having a coin sent to someone to tell me what they think it appears to be maybe or possibly. I don't collect plastic cases so one more reason not to have a coin graded. I am not planning on selling any of my coins and never have sold a coin so again, I don't care what the grade may or may not be. I just put coins in my Albums in an order of what I think which one is BETTER than another one. I don't know how to grade coins, to old to want to learn and basically don't care. I've purchased many slabbed coins and immediately cut them out as fast as they told me they wanted out and I think all coins say that. :smile However, contrary to that, I must admit I sure appreciate having a high priced coin verified as real. So not for a grade but verifiction that it is real is the only reason I would ever want a coin slabbed.
