I've looked at lots of PCGS-slabbed coins and only last week noticed that recently issued slabs are lettered on the edge of the narrow end nearest the coin. It always seems to be seven letters. At first, I thought the lettering was in white ink. But when I took pictures (see below), it became obvious that it was physically etched with either a laser or sharp point. The lettering can vary in its left-right position on the edge. The letters are not unique to a coin. I have some slabs with the same lettering. Some (all?) older slabs have an edge that is too narrow for this type of lettering. Anyone know the purpose of the lettering? I'm supposing it could be the source/lot of slab material, date of slabbing, anti-counterfeiting measure, person doing the slabbing, grading location, or slabbing machine ... or a combo of the above. Cal
Quality control/inventory/anti-counterfeiting Almost certainly quality control as the main thing so you can easily identify the others if you get a bad/problem batch
