I've been researching older NGC and PCGS slabs online in an effort to learn more about "irregularities" in slabs we all encounter online. And yes, I buy the coin, not the holder, lol! Does anyone know of complete databases for both PCGS and NGC slabs, including the holograms associated with the versions? Any suggestions are most appreciated. Thanks!
Yes this site is about coins. Slabs are holders which assign a grade to a coin and declare the coin to be authentic. The four top "TPG" or third party graders are NGC, PCGS, ANACS, and ICS. NGS and PCGS are generally considered to be the top two. Here is an example of a slab.
Gerald, thanks for the smart-mouth reply, very helpful. I have most of the major versions of both NGC and PCGS slabs. And since I have historically focused my attention on the coin inside the slab, I have learned little regarding the slabs themselves. These days, as the online venue becomes more dangerous, I believe it a prudent measure to educate myself about the slabs as well as the coins. There are counterfeit coins being produced that can fool most collectors, especially from the photographs, at times. If I'm evaluating a coin from online photographs, I'll use any helpful clue about the slab as well in making as informed a decision as possible before I spend my money.
Here is the link to Conder's work on the NGC slabs. http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2248404&fpart=1 I don't have the link for the PCGS coins!!
Conder has been busy. Even my own database information isn't definitive. It is pretty much complete on the regular production slabs, but I don't have complete information on all the different novelty labels, special labels they have used. Think about it. Between the first strikes, and all the different anniversary labels and combinations of the two, there are at least eight different slab labels for the silver eagles in 2006 from NGC alone. Even with just the production slabs there are are over 80 different holders from PCGS, NGC, and ANACS alone. (And NGC just added two more slabs of increased thickness for their Ancient coins program.) Eventually I would like to get it all gathered together again for a second edition of the slabbook, but to do soI am going to have to force myself to stay off-line and so far I haven't been able to do that. I also have to fit it in with two full time jobs, and three other writing projects. (Revision and second edition of my Conder token index, the early date large cent census, and a monthly newsletter.) Heck I haven't even managed to get the photos pulled together, uploaded and written up for the PCGS slab varieties post on the NGC forum. And I need to update the NGC post.
Conder, Thanks for the teaser, lol! It sounds like you're a busy, busy man. Once you do find the time to pull together your work, I'm sure we would all love to view it and learn from your efforts. Thanks for the explanation!
