I am a new member and I am seeking answers to some questions related to the purchase of a 2019 -S American Eagle reverse proof. I have never spent even close to this much money before on a coin and am trying to avoid mistakes. Although I have never purchased a slabbed coin previously, I have decided that the coin I buy should be slabbed because, if I understand correctly, it would be sealed in its case and therefore more likely to not spot, tarnish, or tone in the future as could be the case if it is only in the capsule as received from the mint. Do I understand that correctly? My second question pertains to the COA. Is the COA tied in any way to the coin itself? Does a high COA number mean the coin was minted late in the production? Will the slab certification include the COA number? Should the COA number effect the value of the coin? Any other suggestions or precautions related to this purchase will be greatly appreciated. I apologize if this topic has already been covered extensively here. Thank you.
COA #s - in fact, nothing, not first strike, early releases - related to production sequence. All of the coins were made in advance, boxed with a COA from the stack, and placed on pallets. The mint's fulfillment contractor removed the overwrap from the pallets, slapped shipping labels on boxes, and sent them on their way. The coins on the bottom of the pallet (last shipped) were likely minted before the top coins, but multiple pallets, so ??? The mint also used many dies to strike the 30,000 coins. (I think that was the mintage). So if they got 500 strikes from a pair of dies, do you want #498 or #502 (as if you could even get them numbered in strike order which you can't)?????
I think you should slow down and not buy that particular coin in a slab as your first purchase of a slabbed example. It was released by the mint for $75 and then grading fees and people are asking hundreds and thousands of dollars in the aftermarket. You will always be buried in the coin and there are better values in other pieces, IMO. But it is your money to do with as you wish!
Toning, spotting and tarnish absolutely can happen in a sealed TPG slab. It happened to me on a very expensive coin. While they are sonically sealed, the slabs are not necessarily air tight. In my case, the coin was in a gun safe and the airborne gun cleaning chemicals turned my coin almost entirely black. Lesson learned.... I have also seen coins displayed on shelves that toned due to the daily sunlight coming through the window and slowly turning the displayed coin. So the lesson in all this is the slab is superb at protecting the coin from physical damage. However if your desire is to keep the coin in its pristine state, you need to store it carefully. I place my coins in ziplock type bags to mitigate moisture for example. Good luck and enjoy your purchase.
First and foremost, collect what appeals to you. But I'm with @Razz — I think you'll lose money should you ever decide to sell. Regarding the COA, it's mostly just marketing. The main purpose is to create a perception of increased value. As for protection, a TPG slab is good, but proofs can be capricious when it comes to spotting, haze, etc. even when encapsulated, so no guarantees.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't think the mint encapsulated (slabbed) any coins, that it was sent to a TPG for that. Welcome to CT BTW.
Buy OGP........COA is a 'joke'.......don't expect a huge return on this coin if you go to sell, and above all, purchase what you like and enjoy. Coin collecting is not an investment and if anyone thinks so they're running a fools errand.
For the same amount of money you can get a really nice high grade Morgan Dollar over 100 years old, and just as brilliant. Much easier to sell without losing money too, and more impressive to the unknowledgeable.
Depends how it was graded, it may or may not but you can see that on the label. While pretty much everyone will say no the fact of the matter is the market says yes. Avoid the low numbers if you don't want to pay that premium. Best advice check the sales and check the premiums, track it and then decide what you want if any. Essentially nothing on earth is actually air tight.
