In-Slab vs. Raw TrueView Photo Quality Differences

P0CKETCHANGE

PCGS quietly offers an in-slab TrueView service, whereby they’ll take glamour shots for a modest fee. This is a great service if a collector values having a TrueView for each coin in their collection, and/or doesn’t want to crack coins from rattlers, OGHs, and other irreplaceable holders, or lose a CAC sticker or risk damage to a coin for a photo.

Recently, I reholdered a coin that I previously had sent in for an in-slab TrueView after I realized that there are some significant trade-offs that I hadn’t considered, and wasn't 100% happy with the original photos.

1. Photo quality. It’s more challenging to light the coin and shoot it through the holder, so it looks a bit washed out. Plus, quite a few holder scratches are visible (esp. on the reverse), despite me polishing the slab before submission.
2. For more contemporary holders, the prongs can be quite obvious in the photos, especially with smaller coins. Plus, you don’t get a full shot of the rims.
3. This coin wasn’t in an old holder, nor does it have a CAC sticker, so there wasn’t a good reason not to reholder other than the difference in cost. I was penny-wise and pound-foolish, as they say.


Here is the original in-slab TrueView:

Here is the new, raw TrueView:



I do have a few coins in older holders with really nice in-slab TrueViews that I would definitely not send in to be cracked out. Here's my Indian $5, for example (OGH, CAC). A little of the plastic gasket is visible in the obverse shot, which is probably more pronounced on this series given they don't have rims, but overall I think the results are excellent:

Have you used or considered using this service? What was your thought process/results?
If you have any in-slab TrueViews, please post them—it'd be helpful to see more examples.

Morgan13

We have a couple of forum members who will do it at a nominal fee and from what I have seen they do a terrific job. Much better than I will ever do.
I think that might be the best alternative. I'm sure the turn around time is pretty good too!

lermish

I have two coins with in-slab trueviews.

The 76-CC is not great but not awful - in hand it's a crusty coin with fantastic luster. The TV makes it look way more washed out. There is a planchet flaw on/around the MM that is almost accentuated given the lightness of the photo. I'm not sure if this is due to lighting issues/choices or being in the holder.

The 99-S looks very good and is a good representation of the coin in hand.

ctf_error_coins

Some coin photographers can take a better in slab photo than a raw TrueView photo provides.

lermish

@ctf_error_coins said:
Some coin photographers can take a better in slab photo than a raw TrueView photo provides.

This is true. I probably should have put my comparison for the above 76-CC taken by @messydesk

A little bit light on the representation of the luster but much better with the color and crustiness of the coin.

robec

The toughest coins to image through the slab are colorful proof and PL pieces. Some colorful MS coins can also be very challenging due to slab glare and reflective surfaces.

coinbuf

@P0CKETCHANGE said:

Have you used or considered using this service?

I have never considered using the in slab tv, I have found that guys like Mark Goodman, forum member flyingAl, and others are every bit as good and I would rather work with them than pay PCGS. I guess it matters to some, but a photo with the PCGS logo in the background is at the very last place of my priority list.

The_Dinosaur_Man

Shooting through a slab and lighting up the coin is the most difficult form of coin photography. I shot the above coin for a colleague.

FlyingAl

Great shot @The_Dinosaur_Man!

The larger the coin, the harder to shoot without glare. For some coins, it's a necessary evil, like this Trade I shot for @Eldorado9.

Catbert

A shoutout to @robec who is an incredible photographer!

ShaunBC5

@PocketChange which shot looks closer in hand viewing?
I’ve never had a coin photographed by anything other than my phone or my wife’s Canon but might consider a TV or board member one day when the coins I’m buying are better.

ironmanl63

Here are a couple truview thru slabs. Also my photos thru slab.

1869 MS65BN. Sent in looking for an upgrade but no dice. I used oil when shooting and if you notice the holder scuffs disappear.

1892 MS66+. Sent in looking for a PL designation and again no dice!

P0CKETCHANGE

@ironmanl63 nice barber quarter! Our hosts are tough on PL designations, especially outside of Morgans.


I just had two more in-slab TrueViews post. Both are in older holders without prongs. Happy with both!

Barber dime looks great and shows the frost and antique color that are evident in-hand, although the reverse does show a holder abrasion that starts at the lower rim.

The quarter shots came out fantastic and show the wild color on this fully toned example, which is in an OGH.

Thank you PCGS.

The_Dinosaur_Man

Another coin that I shot through a slab. The coin used to reside in an old green holder and was straight graded. Against better advice, the buyer had the coin cracked out.

messydesk

@Morgan13 said:
We have a couple of forum members who will do it at a nominal fee and from what I have seen they do a terrific job. Much better than I will ever do.
I think that might be the best alternative. I'm sure the turn around time is pretty good too!

And it helps us buy more coins.