Depends - do you know enough to ensure you are not getting a fake? If not stick to slabbed. You can always crack it out of the holder. The key dates and some rare coins I would stick to buying a graded coin, just to make sure of the authenticity. Just my opinion.
yah, all depends on how expensive the coin is, and How much you know about the series. It would be a stretch for me to buy a raw 14 D or a 31 S Lincoln.. But a 1925 canadian cent.. Ill buy those raw all day long
i agree..it depends on the slab and the coin itself. who slabbed it? what is the sellers rep? ..if you post a pic..we can help more also..keep in mind coin vs coin..grading is subjective so an ms63 can be a nice one or can be generic.. need to establish a value..trading $ for coin.. very best wishes...steve
Have you studied counterfeits enough, across the board to be able to spot one? I have, some, and I'd say 9 out of 10 people here, including myself, would still have trouble spotting a counterfeit. Particularly in capped bust halves and 2.5 and $5 gold indians where there have been many counterfeits made both past and present. Many that are very good. I still have trouble being able to tell if a coin has been cleaned or not. The grading company knows. 1909-S VDBs also have many counterfeits floating around. I doubt I would ever commit myself to buy one, but if I did, it would be in a slab. If it's a state quarter, I don't think you have to worry. Buy the coin.
Read up on the coin, buy the book, study online. Learn to trust your own judgement and not that of others. If you must buy a slabbed coin, only do so as a a backup of your opinion of the coin, and not that of some anonymous grader in a TPG.
Try this thread This thread ("To slab or not to slab") may be helpful to answering your question: http://www.cointalk.org/showthread.php?t=1626
