Am I the only one?

I really dont like the thought of a slabbed/graded coin or collection. I like to have raw ungraded coins. I am by no means a serious collector, mainly a circulated set kind of guy, with the exception of the proof Ase in their airtight and display box

 

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I guess it depends on your perspective. I know that most of the "Ancient" collectors don't care for slabs. Neither do collectors of the early coppers.

Me? I like to be able to pull coins out of an album and admire or show them off from time to time, but I will never forget one occasion many years ago when I was showing a friend a raw 1892-CC Morgan and he accidentally dropped it. Thank God for carpeting!

Chris

 

I don't mind graded and slabbed collections, most of my collection is slabbed. However I will say that there is this part of me that loves raw coins, it shows them as is, you really get to hold and feel them, and you can really feel the history. That excites me.

With that said, slabs have been a good thing for me. I'm a quality type of guy and as such it's nice having that security of knowing what I'm buying given the quality i seek. I'm also a college student so it's hard to find the time to sit down and learn what would be required for the quality I want and still feel secure in buying raw.

So while I love raw coinage, the feel, history, and freeing aspect people talk about, for someone like me there is something to be said for slabbed.

 

You are not alone newcoinguy. I am a raw collector.

However, there are risks involved collecting raw.
When you're talking about lower value and you are just wanting to fill up albums with modern coins, collecting raw is fine.
Now when you get into higher dollar items, especially highly counterfeited coins, buying raw can really be risky. You must have the experience and knowledge to make the right decisions and not get burned by a problem coin, damaged coin,cleaned, counterfeit, or doctored coin. You must be able to recognize these things.

With that being said, as a raw collector, I will buy problem coins that would not make it into a slab. But I know they are problem coins and pay accordingly.
A graded coin doesn't just come in a plastic tomb, it brings peace of mind with it.

Bottom line is, collecting raw coins can be fun and rewarding at times. It can also be a path to bad decisions.
I collect raw coins because I am not into this hobby for monetary profit, future resale value, or registry set competitions. I am in it because I enjoy the collecting aspect of it. I do understand those who go the graded route, and I respect that.
-g

 

I myself prefer raw coins although I do have a few slabbed coins that I found I really wanted. Also I think collecting raw coins allows me to share the hobby better with my children as they prefer being able to hold a coin versus hold a coin encased in plastic.

 

To me, slabbed coins are just like when the "Dads" got involved in baseball card and memorabilia collecting. Made it all serious, made prices go up, and took any chance for fun completely out of the hobby. So, when slabs became more and more used in US coins, I lost interest. Luckily I found ancient coin collecting, where most despise slabs, and I am again having a great time.

 

Well said Chris.

 

I am not a fan of slabbed coins either. I only have one and it was the free PGCS ATB quarter that everyone was getting on here. I do however think I want to get a 2000 s silver New Hampshire Quarter and the 2013 s silver Mount Washington Quarter in a slab just because I am from New Hampshire.

 

I only slab coins of significant value or rarity... mostly for protection and authentication purposes. Everything else remains raw, especially the circulated coins.

I still don't really understand some people's fascination with ASE bullion, but what do I know...

 

its only bullion when its only value is the silver!

 

Slabbed does nothing for me. I collect the sort of coins that most people prefer to have in slabs, the higher dollar stuff. Frankly I like to think my opinion and knowledge are all that really matters to me, not whatever some turkey in some cubbyholed and windowless slabbing company thinks.

 

I collect both raw and slabbed because I can't make up my mind.

 

Why must one collect one or the other? I like coins.

 

No you don't. You like Barber coins and dismiss everything else as rubbish!

 

I appreciate the sentiment, but unfortunately I personally do not have the skill and I freely admit it. When I buy something pricey, sometimes the only way I can authenticate it is sending it to a grading company. There are a lot of good counterfeiters out there... guess I'm just nervous.

On more then one occasion I've returned coins that wouldn't grade (for various reasons), and while I take a hit in the grading fees, I'm saving myself a costly loss in the long run.

I don't have any local dealers that I can buy from, so most of my purchases are made online. That definitely contributes to my trust issues.

 

I for one am glad for slabbed coins. If all truly historical, numismatic material had been sealed 50 years ago, they would have been preserved far better than all the problem rare coins and currency we see today. Environmental damage, human and other mishandling and consequent problems are minimized by certification. If I were treasury secretary I would mandate the slabbing of all numismatic rare material over $XXX in value. These are treasures, and I am not talking about common Morgan dollars or other popular coins, but rare ones that were permanently damaged by someone who foolishly cleaned an irreplaceable treasure. Plus the slabbing gives the owner tremendous clarity on value if they know how to do rudimentary research, though there are many who do not know how to ask the right questions on the internet.

 

Not true. I have many different coins.

 

I find so many things ridiculous about this post. I don't even know where to begin dismantling it.

 

See? I knew it.

 

lol