By mine, I'm confident the vast majority predominantly collect "raw". Most coins aren't worth grading, the TPG population data support that the vast majority of most low to mid-priced coins aren't or probably aren't graded, and I don't believe this forum is representative of the US collector base either.
I get the most enjoyment right now from doing a Washington 32-90 album with my 11 year old son, and a Lincoln 09-95 album with my 7 year old daughter. We go to the LCS, where they look through the coins in flips and get a few at a time. It's great hearing the questions they ask, and we talk about who we think might have handled the coins during their journey to us.
I do also enjoy slabbed, most of my Morgans are slabbed, along with a variety of other coins. I am about to start down the path of sending some things in to be slabbed, but for me, both have their place and I don't see that changing much for some time.
Well, since the question is being asked on a forum being hosted by a slabbing company, then I would expect the answers to be more biased towards slabbing than if asked to a broader collector base.
Personally, I have very few slabbed coins. I haven't checked the actual figures, but I would think the breakdown for my collection of about 13000-odd coins would be something like:
In 2x2s or flips, in 2x2 albums: about 5500 (the "main collection")
In plastic album pages: about 7000
In OGP or other non-2x2-sized wrappers: about 500
In slabs: 3
In Whitman/Dansco style albums: zero.
Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
I like raw and slabbed. I do like how an album can be condensed and organized, but generally don't like coins in albums. I don't like flips...no to any stapled cardboard holders or hard plastic that can possibly scratch the surfaces. I do like capsules. I don't like OGP...too much packaging. It's joyful to hold and stack raw coins, but that can continually lower the quality and condition of your coins... but I have to hand it to you guys with the albums and flips....those are some of the most organized collections I've seen!!!
I am a raw collector, high VF-AU Capped Bust half dollars. Stored in Air Tites or craft envelopes. I suppose if there was a dansco album for every variety with 450 holes I would use it. Raw coins are simply cheaper, so with a skilled eye, premium coins can be had for fractional prices.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
Still collect my Roosevelts, Jeffersons all BU's and Lincolns 09-58 Circs 09-33 and BU's 34-58 as raw sets in Dansco Albums. I add the latest years as available. I also have complete (as far as the album has holes for) raw Canada and Panama Type sets in Dansco Albums. Over the past 60 years I put in many hours searching for coins to complete these album sets, Whitman albums at first and graduating to the Danscos over time. I have not run across any dealer interested in my Dansco sets and that is a shame. All of my other coins are slabbed for many of the reasons mentioned above.
I still fill folders and albums. The main reason I get the USM mint sets is to cut them up and fill the holes for that year. I started collecting using Whitman folders and still use them. Collecting raw circulated coins is why i like CRH. It calms me and I enjoy it immensely.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Looking at it on an individual coin basis, the majority of my collection is in cent rolls.
For coins in my collection in holders, nearly all are in Capital Holders.
Seated coins and early half dollars are in PCGS holders, as well as these two 'too nice gotta keep' coins.
Generally, I "collect" non-certified coins, and I "accumulate" slabs. That said, I have a single collection of certified coins in-progress that is something I actually work towards completion. My most serious sets by far are in albums, though. And that includes numerous individual pieces worth multi-thousands of dollars.
If I had to put sort of a tally on how many coins I have, I'd guess 400 certified, and maybe 2000 not certified?
I generally only buy slabbed coins now as I have been burned too many times. A few raw coins that I bought from very well known coin/auction houses 40 or so years ago came back as ‘genuine,’ questionable color,’ ‘cleaned’ and ‘details’ when I sent them in for grading/slabbing, and that was certainly not what was advertised when I bought them. Even a good percentage of proof and mint sets I bought from the mint have been a big letdown as I see dealers literally having to give them away to get rid of them. Lately with all the counterfeit slabs and shysters starting to show up it’s really making me rethink if it may be time to wind my hobby of 50 years down….
Comments
I collect types at my age, some slabbed, some raw, in addition to proofs and uncirculated silver dollars and gold.
Probably 60/40 raw vs. holdered. Used to be someone who would crack out and put it in my album. Have shifted gears over the last 10-15
Depends upon definition of "collector".
By mine, I'm confident the vast majority predominantly collect "raw". Most coins aren't worth grading, the TPG population data support that the vast majority of most low to mid-priced coins aren't or probably aren't graded, and I don't believe this forum is representative of the US collector base either.
If one wants to confirm that a coin is genuine, slab it. I believe that slabbed coins are much easier to accept by non-expert collectors.
I don't need (but I have) slabbed coins. Slabs do add more value, and also protect coins better.
Albums look better when filled up with no missing coins, though.
I do prefer complete albums, especially the visual look they have (especially when "showing off" your collection to others.
Pete
I get the most enjoyment right now from doing a Washington 32-90 album with my 11 year old son, and a Lincoln 09-95 album with my 7 year old daughter. We go to the LCS, where they look through the coins in flips and get a few at a time. It's great hearing the questions they ask, and we talk about who we think might have handled the coins during their journey to us.
I do also enjoy slabbed, most of my Morgans are slabbed, along with a variety of other coins. I am about to start down the path of sending some things in to be slabbed, but for me, both have their place and I don't see that changing much for some time.
Well, since the question is being asked on a forum being hosted by a slabbing company, then I would expect the answers to be more biased towards slabbing than if asked to a broader collector base.
Personally, I have very few slabbed coins. I haven't checked the actual figures, but I would think the breakdown for my collection of about 13000-odd coins would be something like:
In 2x2s or flips, in 2x2 albums: about 5500 (the "main collection")
In plastic album pages: about 7000
In OGP or other non-2x2-sized wrappers: about 500
In slabs: 3
In Whitman/Dansco style albums: zero.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded one DPOTD.
I like raw and slabbed. I do like how an album can be condensed and organized, but generally don't like coins in albums. I don't like flips...no to any stapled cardboard holders or hard plastic that can possibly scratch the surfaces. I do like capsules. I don't like OGP...too much packaging. It's joyful to hold and stack raw coins, but that can continually lower the quality and condition of your coins... but I have to hand it to you guys with the albums and flips....those are some of the most organized collections I've seen!!!
We'll I've learned that there a lot like us, that like albums. Especially full albums.
That we have a few higher end coins that are slabbed.
That people don't generally slab bullion. I generally don't either, unless the price is really good.
And other than a few that won't collect raw as its beneath them, a lot of people are like me.
My current registry sets:
20th Century Type Set
Virtual DANSCO 7070
Slabbed IHC set - Missing the Anacs Slabbed coins
I am a raw collector, high VF-AU Capped Bust half dollars. Stored in Air Tites or craft envelopes. I suppose if there was a dansco album for every variety with 450 holes I would use it. Raw coins are simply cheaper, so with a skilled eye, premium coins can be had for fractional prices.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" Matthew 6:33. Young fellow suffering from Bust Half fever.
BHNC #AN-10
JRCS #1606
Still collect my Roosevelts, Jeffersons all BU's and Lincolns 09-58 Circs 09-33 and BU's 34-58 as raw sets in Dansco Albums. I add the latest years as available. I also have complete (as far as the album has holes for) raw Canada and Panama Type sets in Dansco Albums. Over the past 60 years I put in many hours searching for coins to complete these album sets, Whitman albums at first and graduating to the Danscos over time. I have not run across any dealer interested in my Dansco sets and that is a shame. All of my other coins are slabbed for many of the reasons mentioned above.
I still fill folders and albums. The main reason I get the USM mint sets is to cut them up and fill the holes for that year. I started collecting using Whitman folders and still use them. Collecting raw circulated coins is why i like CRH. It calms me and I enjoy it immensely.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
Looking at it on an individual coin basis, the majority of my collection is in cent rolls.
For coins in my collection in holders, nearly all are in Capital Holders.
Seated coins and early half dollars are in PCGS holders, as well as these two 'too nice gotta keep' coins.
Generally, I "collect" non-certified coins, and I "accumulate" slabs. That said, I have a single collection of certified coins in-progress that is something I actually work towards completion. My most serious sets by far are in albums, though. And that includes numerous individual pieces worth multi-thousands of dollars.
If I had to put sort of a tally on how many coins I have, I'd guess 400 certified, and maybe 2000 not certified?
On the web: http://www.earlyus.com
I generally only buy slabbed coins now as I have been burned too many times. A few raw coins that I bought from very well known coin/auction houses 40 or so years ago came back as ‘genuine,’ questionable color,’ ‘cleaned’ and ‘details’ when I sent them in for grading/slabbing, and that was certainly not what was advertised when I bought them. Even a good percentage of proof and mint sets I bought from the mint have been a big letdown as I see dealers literally having to give them away to get rid of them. Lately with all the counterfeit slabs and shysters starting to show up it’s really making me rethink if it may be time to wind my hobby of 50 years down….