Do coins inside the "rattler" slabs really rattle inside the slab? And if so, why in the world would a TPG use any kind of case where the coin can rattle? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of having it slabed, as it would eventually lower the grade due to wear? stainless
It's probably the technology back then. If it's too tight, the case might crack or if the coin is forced in, the edge might have some damage* from pushed in too hard. *edited for mistake
........now they need to "learn" a way to make the slabs air-tite. even if they have to go to glass. it's something that needs to be done.
Yes, but if the graders picked up the slabed coin and noticed it rattling in the case, wouldn't it be common sense to know that it would further the wear on the coin? just a thought. stainless
Stainless, they don't rattle as much as you are thinking. If you take a cold Coke out of the refrigerator, that relatively small movement wouldn't cause it to fizzz out all over you when you open it. The same for a rattler, regular movement, no rattle. If you shake the cold coke enough to fizz out allover you when opened, same shaking will cause the coin to rattle audibly. But I don't think it would wear the edges any more than having it moving around in a flip, and less than being in an album where there are plastic slides going back and forth often. So go shake a coke.... Jim
Isn't the main reason to buy rattlers because they graded tougher back then and they are good canadates for upgrades?
No, because that would violate the "buy the coin, not the slab" rule. Yes, the buzz is they graded tougher back then. But it doesn't matter whether that's true or not. Let's assume it's true. Everyone and their granddad has heard the rumor. So thousands of collectors rush out there and resubmit many of them for grading. Some upgraded, some didn't. The point is this : the rattlers are picked over. The vast majority that would upgrade have already done so. The remaining ones were originally overgraded and won't upgrade today. Buy the coin, not the rattle.
Belt. I wouldn't be too concerned about the rattle as long as I liked the coin. Just stop shaking it.
I agree that one should buy the coin and not the rattle, but I think it is wrong to assume that all rattlers still available have been picked over. There are people who every day ( and probably more soon) decide to put some of their coins on the market, and some of those will be rattlers, and could be a great deal. Jim
I agree. Not all of the upgrades are gone, but I suppose most are. My first $10 Libbie was a PCGS rattler MS63. Upgraded to MS64 :thumb:. So I'm sure you're right - there may still be a few. By "picked over", I meant there has been a pretty thorough going-over of Old Slabs by the thousands of dealers and collectors who handle millions of coins a year. Many of those folks have Strong Eyes. Once a coin has been examined by a couple hundred Strong Eyes, the odds of all of them missing the upgrade is slim. Somebody is gonna catch it and jump on it. And those old rattlers draw special attention, for the reason greyford mentioned earlier.
He's right Jim, you might find one now n then - but your not gonna find many. You actually stand a much better chance of finding a potential upgrade in the newer slabs.
The key to cracker-outers is this: Follow the Halperin/Travers model. Make a chart with actual $ figures. You must weigh the downside VS the upside. Its not for the faint of heart or wallet, but it MAY pay off
I guess I am one of the few who have never cracked a major slab. " Better to have cracked and lost then never to crack at all." Chorus by the PCGS girls...Rattle, Rattle , Rattle them coins...":whistle: Jim
