How would you improve slab boxes? aka another project for my 3D printer
AlbumNerd
Posts: 272 ✭✭✭✭
While I've been busy building out version 4 of my AI coin-sorting robot, I've gained a lot of experience creating 3D models in Fusion. An interesting thing I've noted over the years is the variety of opinions on slab box designs. There was a lot of anticipation about what design CAC would go with.
Now that I have a 3D printer, I'm wondering if there is a new design that would make the lives of collectors and dealers easier.
I'm looking to design and test new layouts based on the community's needs. For folks who are open to sharing their feedback, I'll ship out these prototypes for free.
Some questions on top of my head
- What are the biggest issues with today's designs, and how are you dealing with those issues now?
- Are you more of a collector or dealer?
- Ideally, how many slabs should a box hold to best meet your needs?
- Would you want your boxes to be personalized, like with your company name or name?
- Interested in having me ship out a prototype for you to test out?
6
Comments
I would be interested. The issue I have is that all the different slabs dont fit in the pcgs box I use. As a result I have a cover that won't fit and slabs the are either to big or two small for the slab slots.
Im not even sure a cover is necessary but I will let others chime it.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
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I’m a big fan of the CACG boxes because they fit everything (everything I’ve tried anyway), but their latch geometry makes them impossible to open when certain slabs are near the middle of the box.
You have to shave the bumps on the lid and lose the latching function. If they were just a mm or two wider they’d be perfect.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
Nice! I can’t wait to see your accomplishments. I have always wondered why the cover or box doesn’t have some form of anti rattle pad/coating for shipping.
Enjoyed numismatic conversations with Eric P. Newman, Dave Akers, Jules Reiver, David Davis, Russ Logan, John McCloskey, Kirk Gorman, W. David Perkins...
I was lucky to find this one. all size slabs fit (no slots) and the padding holds them tight. It will also fit a little more than 100 slabs.
Not a dealer, but I have collected these long enough to see a few issues. The biggest in my opinion is that the boxes dont always fit other companies coins efficiently. NGC boxes/PCGS boxes are not interchangeable. Small ANACS holders rattle too much. Dont have enough experience with CACG to know where they stand.
My suggestion would be to make a slab box that could securely hold all the coins and securely close the lid. There is a person here that makes adapters on a 3D printer that allows NGC slabs to fix in PCGS boxes. I bought several of those in the past.
PCGS boxes fit perfectly in my safe deposit box. NGC and CAC boxes do not.
Create a box with PCGS dimensions that can hold all three slabs.
Sent you a message. Cheers, karl
I realize it would take more space per slab, but I would love a box that has angled slots so that I could read the label without pulling out the slab.
I am a collector that sells sometimes.
I recall liking the old ANACS boxes that held their small white slabs at a reclining angle ... one could just finger through them (like turning the pages) to read the labels without having to pull them out.
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The CACG slab boxes work fine for me.
How about a box that closes airtight enough to block humidity and with a built in slot to hold a 40 gram desiccant canister and it fits into a standard safety deposit box. It should be able to hold any of the top 4 slab companies holders. It should also have a secret compartment to hold an Apple AirTag for when you use it to transport or ship coins in case it goes missing. Maybe something built in that blocks people from scanning RFID/NFC so, if you use it for shipping coins, people can’t scan the package and tell there’s coins inside. Maybe a built in handle on the side so you can carry it like it’s a toolbox.
Mr_Spud
I sold quite a few of these adapters and the 3d model is available free in thingiverse. I also make adapters for rattler, both soap bars, Blanchard and accugrade holders to fit in PCGS boxes
This lifts the PCGS box lid to accommodate ngc holders
Holds 10 proof sets
Rattler Box, I have in 22, 44, and 66 slot configurations (22 pictured)
These I sell on eBay, they are adapters for old holders to fit in PCGS (and other) boxes. I have frames that just press on, and an about to list 2pc full surround adapters that fully encased the holders.
Return to SWH's of ANACS days(soapbox style)
Jim
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I'd like a box that accommodated the PCGS extra thick slabs (13.4 mm rather than 10.0 mm) that come into play for some big old stuff but was the same size as a PCGS box on the outside. It looks like such a box would hold 15 thick PCGS slabs. It would also accommodate CACG slabs.
Also, PCGS had a short, cardboard box once upon a time. I find it a very convenient size to carry with me to shows and there's usually someone offering to buy it from me, which tells me that either they would also like something that size or they collect PCGS artifacts. That would be cool, sized to accommodate NGC and CACG.
Thin, rattle-deadening mats cut to fit would be nice, but that might be more easily done with a scissors and really thin Styrofoam sheets.
I have some other ideas related to medals that I'd like to hash out with someone in the 3D-printing space, but that's a different topic.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I'd like to see a box that has individual holders (like the Intercept Shield box in a box concept) where the holders can partially lay back then flip up/forward, think old school rolodex type of action. This would make the box longer but because the slabs would be partially laying down it would not need to be as tall as the current boxes. Each individual slab holder would be shaped so that the label would be easily readable while in the reclined position and have small pins on each side at the bottom in order to allow the rotating action. You could then design different individual slab holders to accommodate the different types of slabs. A lot of work to design I am sure but this, to me, would be the ultimate slab box as you could easily see the labels and flip through a slab box quickly and efficiently vs the current boxes where you have to pull up each slab to read the label.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
What are the biggest issues with today's designs, and how are you dealing with those issues now?
I believe that "Slab Boxes" should be able to fit any Pcgs, Ngc and Cacg slabs.
Are you more of a collector or dealer?
I am only a collector so my boxes are for storage in a safe.
Ideally, how many slabs should a box hold to best meet your needs?
I would love to have a box that could hold 25-30 slabs.
This would allow many modern proof / mint sets to be contained in a single box.
Would you want your boxes to be personalized, like with your company name or name?
I like the personalized idea of having your name or coin series engraved into the box.
In addition, I would also like some type of finger grips on the lid as well as on the side of the main box to aid in opening and closing the box.
Interested in having me ship out a prototype for you to test out?
YES, YES and YES on this.
Wayne
Kennedys are my quest...
I would like a box that holds a unique number for a complete set of coins such as my Roosevelt Silver Dimes. 1946-1964 is 48 dimes. That is 2.5 PCGS boxes. If I could get them in a duel sided box per say that holds all 48, that would be great, and to have it say Roosevelt Dimes on the lid would be stellar!
Later, Paul.
How about a box with an arduino, camera + mic, and tiny LCD screen that allows the collector to "scan" slabs in and out of the box and also (A) records the time and date when the box is opened, and (B) optionally begins recording and streaming the video stream when the box is opened.
...The Ring Doorbell version of a coin box.
For any type of storage box, it seems important that the plastics used do not give off gases that could adversely affect coins. Do the PCGS and other commercial boxes use inert materials?
PLA (PolylacticAcid) Plastic is an inert bioplastic commonly used in 3D printing. There are many materials but the characteristics of PLA are ideal for this use case. While not a scientifically controlled experiment, I have been using 3D printed PLA plastic storage in coins since about 2012 with no unexpected toning, spotting, or other adverse effects noticed. PLA primarily breaks down into Corn Starch. I have stored slabs, 22 flips, stapled 22 and raw loose coins in PLA with no deterioration.
@ndeagles
How about a link to your ebay store
I know I bought some of your PCGS adapters for rattle holders but I think that was here
Mike
My Indians
Dansco Set
Why stop there? Add an E Ink display panel on top that can show the inventory of the box, which is populated by scanning the labels with the camera and then verifying the cert by connecting to your phone over Bluetooth and then using it to look up the info using the appropriate TPG API. E Ink displays only draw power when being updated. Pull the box out of storage 6 months later and the display is as it was when you stored it. A companion app would let you see which boxes have which coins in them and let you keep notes about where each box is located in case you have SDBs scattered among multiple banks.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
If you are interested in personalizing a box, one way to do that is using brass name plates. Amazon has several sellers. I use them with my coin holders and boxes and it really adds a classy look.
I would like to see a box that could accomodate both PCGS and NGC coins. The NGC boxes uswd to hold both, but then PCGS changes their holders and the NGC boxes can't accomodate the newer holders. I'm not a dealer, but storage should be simpler.
Looking for PCGS AU58 Washington's, 32-63.
Another example
On eBay I am numismatNick, but I can sell them here without the eBay premium if you message me.
I'm just a collector here: For my large cent collection in which I have ANACS (both large and small), PCGS, and NGC slabs I've found that the NGC boxes are working when I use a narrow chisel to remove the extra plastic ridges inside of the slots. I've also had to remove the nib on the inside of the lid to facilitate easier opening when the box is full since there is no wiggle room. So in my case, I could've used a custom made -slightly wider NGC style box, maybe only like a couple millimeters wider, without the added plastic ridges inside the slab slots.
Agree, like the CAC boxes since they fit everything -- BUT they are a bear to open quite often. I'll try shaving them a touch.
I do have some older PCGS slabs that are thick enough that the lid picks the slab up. The downside to a universal box is that they have to be bigger. So far it’s the best I’ve found though.
Newbie collector of type and circulated Peace dollars, photographer of places and animals, player of instruments and builder of amplifiers, espresso industry professional, and a person distracted by shiny objects. https://mycollect.com/Rule556/sets
Please not styrofoam - the static problem, or the anti-static additives. Just use thin sheets of 0.1" closed-cell foam. You can buy it in 50- or 100-foot rolls that are 10 or 12 inches wide, and cut it down to the appropriate width with a bread knife.
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
I am in the minority but have been looking for a box to hold 75.
Non existent aside from a few foam options
I'd be interested in a couple of them.
So I ended up abandoning the project to create a new type of slab holder. I got a lot of great feedback from people and I concluded that the current solutions today are adequate enough for most people. Some folks are still facing some odd edge cases but for the most part this problem has been solved. It's great see all the wonderful discussions and ideas and shared. Thanks everyone!