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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Bart9349, post: 1185169, member: 5682&quot;]I have very few ancient coins, and even fewer slabbed coins of any type. Most coins I have are inexpensive, raw, and usually have been already attributed and authenticated.&nbsp; It would not be worthwhile to have these coins further attributed and authenticated (as well as slabbed) by NGC-Ancients.</p><p><br /></p><p>If I were to buy a more expensive coin, however, I would want some authentication.&nbsp; There are literally millions of authentic Ancient coins still in existence, many still waiting to be found. Contrary to the opinion of many dealers and collectors, however, there is also an increasing number of modern forgeries (some quite good) on the market. </p><p><br /></p><p>Many reputable dealers offer an authentication (as well as a guarantee) without slabbing. NGC Ancients offers an excellent independent authentication service by respected Ancient numismatics scholar David Vagi as well as expert attribution (but NGC-Ancients do not offer a guarantee).&nbsp; NGC-Ancients also encapsulate the coins in a hard plastic container, which helps the novice or the careless collector preserve the coin for posterity.</p><p><br /></p><p>Slabbing ancient coins is extremely controversial, however. Many knowledgeable ancient collectors detest the idea of slabbing any ancient coin. </p><p><br /></p><p>Some collectors feel that only the highest grade and most expensive coins could potentially be slabbed to add to the authentication and preservation of the coin.</p><p><br /></p><p>Other coin collectors feel that once any ancient coin is slabbed, they lose the tactile joy of holding a two thousand year piece of history in their hands. Also, some ancient coin collectors fear that once their cherished ancient coins are slabbed, they will become more like a commodity, no longer admired and treasured, but flipped like some stock in the heartless market (as modern coins frequently are).&nbsp; Finally, to the surprise of many novice collectors, most ancient coins are relatively inexpensive, making any added fee for authentication an unnecessary expense.</p><p><br /></p><p>Personally, I view slabs as akin to an English menu in a foreign restaurant. It is an excellent guide for the beginner, but may be either a hindrance or a help for the more experienced collector.</p><p><br /></p><p>The old adage is especially true for ancient coins: &quot;Buy the coin and not the slab.&quot;</p><p><br /></p><p>guy[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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