TPG’s put these out. Sometimes they are done at a low cost to advertise their services. At times they are giveaways to potential new customers or gifts to existing customers. No grade is given and they are usually low cost coins such as State or National Park Quarters. Here is a Sample Slab from NGC for a 2004-P Texas Quarter. Fun to have but not expensive.
There are people who collect these things, and sometimes they become quite valuable among those who collect them. Since I view the grading services as something we have to deal with, I don't need to go out of my way to collect more of their product.
I only have a few Sample Slabs. I collect the coin, not the slab. The price was so low I just couldn’t say no.
Anytime I attend a major show (which hasn't been for a few years) I always seek out the 'big three' for sample slabs. I've found PCGS to be very generous when handing them out. They have even allowed me extras for friends back home. ANAC's is very forthcoming with their examples but I've found them to be in short supply at any shows I've attended (guess I need to wake up earlier). NGC is miserly. I've never gotten one of theirs at a show. I wonder if JA will have any......
CACG does indeed have a few sample slabs out there. A gentleman on Instagram by the name of David Schwager, and I'm sure he's also on coin forums, has written a book on sample slabs. I'm partial to the ones with world coins in them!
Here's one I got from ANACS at a local show, going on two years ago. He seemed a little reluctant to give one to me despite me spending $500 on grading, but perhaps I was misreading his demeanor. It's interesting that apparently they have sponsors for these, and it doesn't say "sample" on it. I can't find the label style anywhere (white instead of yellow or dark blue) in the slab generations stuff online.
At the fun show each year, PCGS and NGC have a lunch or a small party. They always give out one of these at the door. Sometimes they don't say sample slab but I guess they are still called that. I have about 30 of them now. This is one from PCI but I don't remember who gave it to me. Edit. I actually paid $20 for it at one of the JEREMY CHARITY AUCTIONs in 2009.
