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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;1934 Wreath Crown, post: 8109237, member: 76965&quot;]Like everything in life there are pros and cons to slabs vs raw coins. I agree with a lot that has been said above and disagree with some. I&#039;ve got a bunch of unslabbed GB and ancient coins that were purchased when I started collecting and I don&#039;t mind handling these or showing them to others coz they won&#039;t lose a lot in value (they don&#039;t have that much to lose in the first place<img src="https://www.cointalk.com/file:///C:/Users/acer/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" />). But would I break out a CH MS 5/5 &amp; 5/5 Ptolemy III Octadrachm (Mnaieion) just to be able to touch it or show it to friends who might damage it......NO WAY!!!</p><p><br /></p><p>Donna, the analogy between a masterpiece (Painting) and a coin is IMHO somewhat misplaced I’m afraid. Firstly, no one will even allow visitors to photograph a masterpiece with flash leave alone touch it’s surface. Secondly, it is commonly accepted that such pieces of art would degrade over a period of time and restoration by an expert is very commonly accepted, it will even enhance the value of the item. Not so with a coin. Any human interference with it’s natural state would dramatically reduce it’s appeal and value. Thirdly, paintings or any piece of art is always protected by a barrier to prevent human interference and ‘interaction’.</p><p><br /></p><p>And while I don’t buy a coin, I really like, for it’s future appreciation in value or as an investment, I’m sure my heirs would not appreciate it if I squandered their inheritance on worthless junk or bought expensive and mostly fake coins on eBay in the hope that they might be genuine. If and when they visit my grave, I’d prefer if they put flowers on it rather than the smelly stuff one grows flowers in<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie8" alt=":D" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>In today’s age of virtual shopping and technology, many of us buy coins over the internet without ever seeing it or touching it in real life. Can anyone say they haven’t bought a fake or that they can identify a fake 100%? When even the most reputable TPGs and auction houses can get it wrong, then one has to extremely vain to think that they will always be right. I’ve bought fairly expensive raw coins from several of the most trusted auction houses for ancient coins, which were later identified as reproductions/fake and were returned for a full refund. Had NGC not raised the alarm, I’d be happily and stupidly handling these coins every day thinking I owned the real McCoy<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie7" alt=":p" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.</p><p><br /></p><p>NGC/PCGS/ANACS can all get it wrong but the chances of them identifying a fake are infinitely higher than me doing so, or even the experts on this forum.</p><p><br /></p><p>I’ve vociferously and repeatedly expressed my disdain, on this forum, over the descriptions of one reputable auction house which deliberately overlooks defects in it&#039;s listings. A TPG would highlight all these issues, scuffs, test cuts, banker’s marks, edge bumps, brushed, cleaned etc. etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>As for photography, one just has to see the photos of slabbed coins by Heritage to realise that quality can be achieved with a little effort.</p><p><br /></p><p>But like everything in life, at the end of the day it’s a question of personal preference. I prefer a high value coin to be slabbed coin because I don’t have to rely on lady luck, guesswork and my own inadequate knowledge in trying to figure out if the coin is genuine or a fake. Having said that, I don’t buy a slab, I do look at the coin itself for it’s visual appeal, style, strike, toning and flan shape etc. Learned a lot on this forum.</p><p><br /></p><p>Just like I’d rather take a Toyota Land Cruiser off-roading on a desert safari instead of a Ferrari 250 GTO, I’d rather have rare and high value coins (modern and ancient) slabbed and not exposed to damage<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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