Some questions about rattlers and slab generations
comma
Posts: 1,528 ✭✭✭
Hey guys. I'm getting back into collecting after quite a few years of not doing much.
I never really cared or looked into the different generations of PCGS slabs but I have some interest now.
A few questions:
How do I know I'm looking at a "rattler"? (I see people on eBay calling several different types of PCGS cases rattlers)
Is there anything to look out for when buying rattlers?
Are there any fake slabs out there? I know the original slabs don't really have much in the way of modern authentication.
Does the "rattling" hurt the coins inside at all?
I've noticed some of the early ones have different things on the labels (for Buffalo nickels for example, some say "Buffalo" and some say nothing)
Basically, I want to collect slabs with some history, but is there any reason to collect second gen over first gen slabs?
Anything else I should know about collecting rattlers?
Thanks so much!
Comments
86-87 ARE RATTLERS
The official site of slab generations is here: https://www.pcgs.com/holders
There are some who have identified a few a few variants not on this site.
The rattling does not harm the coins. Yes, there are fake rattlers out there. Some are very convincing but there are typically tells in the fonts and positioning.
I can’t tell you which are most popular but rattlers, doilies, and OGH holders seem to be the most desired of the older holders.
Hmm. Then what are the ones before 86-87 that don'e have a barcode (numbers only) like this?
Your poster is incorrect those first two are not rattlers they are OGH holders. To the op here is a link to the official PCGS list of holders and the order of generations.
https://pcgs.com/holders
The first three on the official list are rattlers, the white label holders are quite rare and not seem very often. The green label rattler holder is still seen with some frequency, here is one of mine.
Yes the coins do move and "rattle" in the holder but as long as you don't shake them all day long you should not risk any damage to the coin inside.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
There aren’t any before 1986 since that’s when PCGS started. The early holders didn’t have bar codes. The link I posted above will show you what you want to know.
That is incorrect. Rattlers had slightly smaller length/width dimensions than any succeeding generation of slab and were much thinner.
To answer the OP's questions: There are surely counterfeit rattlers, but you probably don't have to worry about it much with relatively inexpensive coins.
I haven't heard of rattling causing damage to a coin. It's mostly just annoying from my perspective, and I've never liked those holders for a number of reasons.
Thanks guys!
Are the second generation green holders harder to fake?
I'm just nervous that the first gen like I posted above seems like you could literally just print that off of any printer.
Any other reasons to go with second gen over the rattlers?
I just like the history of things (why I like coins to begin with) and really like the idea of collecting the earliest version of pcgs graded coins.
Also, any reason that some of the 1st gen list the coin name and some don't? Is that something to be cautious of? Example of a buffalo nickel with and without "buffalo"
That's to differentiate it from the Jefferson nickel made in 1938.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Ah! That makes sense. Should have known that
Obviously, you should collect whatever you want, however you want. But it sounds like you’re far focused on collecting the earliest versions of the holders, not the coins.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
The second generation holders are harder to fake from the standpoint that they are essentially a first generation holder encapsulated in an outer shell (and with a gasket to keep the coin from rattling). Any of the earlier holders is MUCH easier to counterfeit than the modern ones. But again, unless you are buying very expensive coins, counterfeiting is generally not a huge problem. If you are, you should really only be buying from reputable sources who will stand behind the authenticity of their coins unless you are an expert.
If you'd enjoy collecting the oldest holders, more power to you. Just be aware that although many of collectors' nicer coins got submitted early on, a very large percentage of those have been cracked out over the decades and no longer reside in their original plastic.
Yeah that’s pretty true. I’m looking for an interesting way to collect some more common Buffalo nickel and other type coins. In this particular collection I’m going for, the holder definitely means a lot to me
Enjoy the search.
Mark Feld* of Heritage Auctions*Unless otherwise noted, my posts here represent my personal opinions.
Buy the coin & the holder
and in that order too
I was checking closed auctions on eBay and came across this ... is it a doily or retro doily? it does not have the white strip at bottom of the label.
Doily. Sample. Nice piece. Current value $100-$120.
Drunner
I believe the retro doily slabs have the prong inserts among other differences.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
You are correct. The reverse label also says Gen.2 on it. There is also a gold shield retro doily that can be requested for an additional fee.
As far as Generation 2 holders go....CoinJunkie is correct, it’s pretty much a rattler with a ring around it. I’ve been thrown off before when someone removed the ring and now it looks like a rattler with a bar code label. Pretty confusing. The link above that shows the different generations of holders explains everything.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
I know there is collector interest in the different generations of holders.... For me, it does not matter. I know I have 'different' slabs....no idea what they are, and likely never will. I do know about the coins inside though...
Cheers, RickO
If I am not mistaken, the "PCGS Generation Series - Throwback PCGS Labels" has been retired.
See the "retired" tab @ https://www.pcgs.com/labels