I bought a large collection this past weekend that included a couple hundred of these slabs. I have never seen any of these before and wondered if the slab researchers among us had any information about them. Thanks!
A "Treasure Trove" I would have loved to acquired those coins. I believe his coins to be the "real deal", as did others: http://www.tulving.com/htinfo.html He is one of the most self-less shrewd businessman I've met, I believe still currently the proprietor of "The Tulving Company": http://www.tulving.com/goldbull.html A no nonsense individual who has probably the lowest profit margins in the coin "industry", buying/selling items that others want, at an extremely favorable price. His terms are clearly listed on his site, as to eliminate/minimize the need for telephone contact. I've known numerous dealers and coin groups who buy from, or sell to Hannes. Rich :thumb:
I will say that IMO about 1/3 of the coins were graded correctly, 1/3 were over graded, and 1/3 were under graded. Now the pricing on the other hand... well it's very high in some cases for today's market... The coins were however all really nice pieces. I am no expert but I do submit a lot of coins to grading companies.
Based on your experienced grading evaluation, it appears that Hannes grading performance would definitely qualify him as a preferred "Top Tier" TPG grading "expert". Relative to published A.N.A. standards of the era in which Hannes graded, I haven't personally seen that performance level on certified Silver dollars. I haven't yet determined the current grading standards, which reportedly (from recent threads) vary appreciably, dependent on buying/selling, etc., now requiring fourth party and plus grading. I'm surely not one to determine appropriate grading, nor worth of "product". Just one who came to appreciate an individual who didn't hide behind a pseudonym, but placed his name on the product he graded/sold. LOL :thumb:
You could say they were one of the first "self slabbers". They only had the one type of slab and as far as I can tell they date back to the mid to late 1980's. I believe they only slabbed their own inventory, but they may have taken outside submissions. The slabs are rather unique. They don't try to be "airtight" but the do have solidly interlocking snaps that engaged when the holder was closed. And I believe there is one or more of these snaps covered by the wrap over label. The plastic is more impact resistant than the acrylic plastic used by most other services. They are not commonly available but they seem to come in waves. For awhile you don't see them, then a small hoard appears, get cracked out and then you have a long drought until the next batch appears.
Matt, how are the holder half sections held together? appears like staples, but not really. I do recall seeing these in early 80s I believe in coin advertisements. Good reputation, but acknowledge high price. Competitive with Bowers and Merena ( same high quality and same higher price) at the time. Never had one in hand. Jim
They appear like they interlock somehow. They seem to snap together and are not sealed as Conder had mentioned. I'm not quite sure how... they are really nice looking slabs for what they are.
you gonna list them on your site as is ?,, or crack them out and submit them to a top tier ?,,,, or both ? the one you've pictured looks sweet... are they mostly toners ?
