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Why Cameron may be right about Sample Slabs...
I have long given Cameron a hard time - in a friendly way, of course - about sample slabs. To me, they're pure junk. That's because I collect coins, not plastic. To me, plastic only has value when it's time to sell. Since I (maybe stupidly) choose to ignore resale when I buy coins for my collection, the plastic has no value. From that perspective, all plastic is worthless, even the rarest sample slabs.
However, there are thousands of serious plastic collectors out there. They will pay prices for coins that only make sense if you realize that they are collecting coins AND plastic. To some of them, especially the Registry Set collectors, the plastic can actually be more valuable than the coin. We old-schoolers think it's nuts, but these people really are out there. They worship plastic. From their perspective, it won't be much of a leap for them to (one day) collect all kinds of plastic. To plastic collectors, sample slabs aren't disposable trash; they're the plastic equivalent of pattern coins! So, as a pattern enthusiast, I have no right to bash sample slabs.
Cameron, please accept my apologies.
However, there are thousands of serious plastic collectors out there. They will pay prices for coins that only make sense if you realize that they are collecting coins AND plastic. To some of them, especially the Registry Set collectors, the plastic can actually be more valuable than the coin. We old-schoolers think it's nuts, but these people really are out there. They worship plastic. From their perspective, it won't be much of a leap for them to (one day) collect all kinds of plastic. To plastic collectors, sample slabs aren't disposable trash; they're the plastic equivalent of pattern coins! So, as a pattern enthusiast, I have no right to bash sample slabs.
Cameron, please accept my apologies.
![image](https://us.v-cdn.net/6027503/uploads/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif)
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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Remember, there are a lot of valuable collectables that back in their day were considered junk, a dime a dozen, etc.
Herb
Go BIG or GO HOME. ©Bill
NEVER LET HIPPO MOUTH OVERLOAD HUMMINGBIRD BUTT!!!
WORK HARDER!!!!
Millions on WELFARE depend on you!
Besides, while some of us may think a person nuts for collect slabs, keep in mind that most of the planet think WE are nuts for paying premiums for old coins.
Sometimes, I think they are right.
and it sets us apart from practitioners and consultants. Gregor
Cameron Kiefer
I collect them for the COINS inside. PCGS & NGC holders by date, mm, & denomination just like a collector filling holes in a Whitman & Dansco album. And Type too. Have steel pennies, war nickels, silver dollars, modern proofs, casino tokens, even monster toned ones that I bet mr. dick (greattoning) could make a snazzy picture of and sell it on eBay for $500. (sorry yall, mine aint for sale, don't even ask)
I also do them by Slab Type in accordance with the Conder numbers.
Luckily for me I started aggressively pursuing them about 4 years ago when nobody else was and had to search eBay for "sample" in "titles & descriptions" and weed the 2 Sample Slabs out of the 500 hits returned for "circulated wheat samples' or "this auction is for a sample out of a original bag of circulated Franklin halves" or something like that.
I've always had to compete with Conder101 who wasn't scared to step up for a previously unknown type. He wouldn't sneak in there at the last second & snipe it like this new breed of Sample Slab collectors do. He'd send me an email saying "I need this, YOU back off" because he knew I hit it.
Then "barbaque" started buying them along with assrat and anchorsaway but they only bid "bid" and were easily outbid.
Then Keifer started wanting to be a dealer and him & oreville started their silly games trying to outbid each other or control the market or whatever in the L they were doing. Luckily for me I already had plenty of Morgans & Peace dollars in Sample Slabs so I didn't have to pay the artificially inflated prices.
I'm not going to mention any names but somebody thinks they are "good investments."
Now jmore is buying them like crazy but I can always outbid him when a date I need shows up but a common SS still might cost me $10-$15-$20.
Sometime I think these guys aren't playing with a full deck though because they go friggin crazy over the Presentation Slabs like who would pay a prem for a slab just because they insert says they 8 lunch with David Hall? Or worse yet David Lange's NGC just married moron slab.
You guys are sick & need help.
<< <i>Then Keifer started wanting to be a dealer and him & oreville started their silly games trying to outbid each other or control the market or whatever in the L they were doing. Luckily for me I already had plenty of Morgans & Peace dollars in Sample Slabs so I didn't have to pay the artificially inflated prices >>
Sell at these artifically inflated prices before they go down.
<< <i>Sometime I think these guys aren't playing with a full deck though because they go friggin crazy over the Presentation Slabs like who would pay a prem for a slab just because they insert says they 8 lunch with David Hall? Or worse yet David Lange's NGC just married moron slab. >>
Don't knock what others collect. I don't.
Cameron Kiefer
Yeah I guess I got carried away there. I'm just as bad as everybody else.
Cammi Keebler >
What a liar! If he had it his way, my bong collection would be a pile of smashed ceramics and glass.
<< <i>What a liar! If he had it his way, my bong collection would be a pile of smashed ceramics and glass.
ClarkOfKent!!! DAMMIT BOY!!!
David Lange married a moron?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I bought Conder101's book on slabs (in both the priint and CD format), and found it very informative. I had been keeping similar notes on PCGS and NGC slabs for years. Conder101's book is far superior (he has pics to boot) and complete than my notes.
Cameron Kiefer
Slab collectors can't also do drugs?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
I hate it when you see my post before I can edit the spelling.
Always looking for nice type coins
my local dealer
"They are documenting the history of our obsession."
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5
"For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
09/07/2006
Cameron Kiefer
I hate it when you see my post before I can edit the spelling.
Always looking for nice type coins
my local dealer
<< <i>Cameron gave me one of those too. They're handed out like candy, but they are cool. >>
I think the coolest sample slab I own so far is the one Cameron has been giving out of late with the darkside penny.Thanks again Cameron!
<< <i>
However, there are thousands of serious plastic collectors out there. They will pay prices for coins that only make sense if you realize that they are collecting coins AND plastic. To some of them, especially the Registry Set collectors, the plastic can actually be more valuable than the coin. We old-schoolers think it's nuts, but these people really are out there. They worship plastic. From their perspective, it won't be much of a leap for them to (one day) collect all kinds of plastic. To plastic collectors, sample slabs aren't disposable trash; they're the plastic equivalent of pattern coins! So, as a pattern enthusiast, I have no right to bash sample slabs.
>>
...but registry set collectors are fair game?
Everyone's fair game. But what's wrong with registry collectors collecting plastic? Be careful how you answer. If something's wrong with collecting plastic, Cameron is WRONG!
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Thanks again for mine cameron.....And I hope there are atleast 151 sample slab collectors around,
Herb
My bidding against kiefercoins was very limited and very specific on just a few issues. Sure, we battled against each other for a brief time. But it was always in good humor and a sense of friendship. In fact, we pm'd each other many times after the fact in wonderment. But I do not think I have ever overpaid. We have given each other advice.
I am convinced that collecting slabs, whether they are the original black NGC slabs, the PCGS Regency slabs, the WTC Firefighters slabs, or sample slabs is saving our history. The coins in them are incidental but certainly not shabby! What is important is that we should never forget our history as remembering our history will help us to avoid repeating the mistakes!!!!!
Collecting sample slabs is not about collecting coins. Likewise, collecting patterns is NOT about collecting coins! Patterns are NOT coins!!!!!!!!!!!
I appreciate at least being remembered by you in some fashion!
Every object is part of history. You've just rationalized collecting absolutely anything. Try again.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Every object is indeed part of history but when there are limited quantities more care is needed to preserve them. Sample are in limited quantities just like some of the more common patterns. Both are worthwhile being saved.
As long as people collect coins using plastic slabs there is a desire to "complete" a collection of different types of plastic. Including the slabs mentioned before. Even after collectors cease to collect using slabs such slabs will continue to be desired and in fact, may be even more desired!
Same thing with common date shotgun obw rolls of coins. The coins have limited value but the collectors go wild over them. Collectors crave them because they want to hold a piece of history they can't easily buy anymore.
The old sample slabs are steadily approaching real history that cannot be as easily bought anymore.
Not long ago, the black NGC slab was not held in awe by any coin collectors.
<< <i>
Everyone's fair game. But what's wrong with registry collectors collecting plastic? Be careful how you answer. If something's wrong with collecting plastic, Cameron is WRONG!
Sure, everyone's fair game especially people who's name starts with Cameron.
that not all registry collectors are collecting plastic and not all plastic collectors are registry participants.
It's easy to understand the collecting of sample slabs but it has no real connection to the registry.
smiley and highlight added.
It's connected in that both groups of collectors treasure plastic. Doesn't mean they don't also like coins. Anyway, I have no problem with these people. Heck, some people collect Pez dispensers, and they're plastic...
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
<< <i>Didn't the Franklin mint produced some of the Phillipine coinage, alongside the U.S. mints. >>
Yes they did, in 1975 and 1976. The US mint made the circulating coins and the Franklin mint made the NCLT. Some fools will actually spend a buck or two on them...
New purchase today --->
The same applies to the pez dispensers. The pez dispensers is not as desired by many of those collectors unless it comes in the same complete package of dispenser (plastic), candy as well as the box or packaging that created the value of such item to the collector.