Welcome to the neighborhood, Isaac! As previously stated, a "slabbed" coin generally refers to one that has been graded and certified by one of the third party grading (TPG) services. However, it goes a little further than that. There are many, many grading services. Some are reliable, some are so-so, some are substandard but there are many you should avoid like the plague. Since there are so many in the last two categories, it is much easier to remember those that are the best. Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) are the top two grading services. ANACS, ICG & SEGS rank below them but are not as readily accepted. Chris
not recommended. I would leave them in the plastic. I think the only coins frowned upon being slabbed are ancient coins.
Its not permanent. You can SAFLEY and CAREFULLY crack a coin out of a slab for various reasons. Watch youtube videos on people doing it.
Yes. I like my coins to be able to "breathe" in a cool dry environment and not be sealed in some stupid polystyrene tomb.
I am adding a few questions - Is it difficult and expensive to get a slabbed from (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)? - What's the general rule of thumb in term of numbers? I usually see it as MS69 or MS70. I think MS70 is perfect and MS70+ is what?? and what if it is below MS69? is there such a thing?