Slabs: How Long Will They Last?

LAWMAN

When CD's first came out, they told us they would last 50 to 100 years; now we see they don't. How long with TPG slabs physically last? Any testing being done?

LanLord

Probably depends upon the environment in which the slabs are stored (CDs too).

I have some CD which are 15 years old and have no problems at all, others are only a year or two old that haven't had the best life (kids liked them) that have a few problem spots.

Slabs probably will have the same issues. If they are kept in boxes and out of sunlight and not dropped or otherwise abused, they could last a long time.

Some that are constantly being bounced around and get alot of traffic, will look like crap in no time at all.

Barry

There are big differences between CDs and slabs. Slabs, being plastic, will last forever and not biodegrade. They may discolor if left out in the elements.

kieferscoins

Lanlord is correct. I have seen trashed PCGS first generation slabs in junk bins - lots of scratches and then brand new like the day they were slabbed ones which will stay like that for another 50 years if kept properly. The plastic is inert and not hurting the coin in any way.

Cameron Kiefer

earlwbollinger

Plastic is basically a petroleum byproduct.
I figure it either tries to turn back into oil byproducts or disintegrates (crumbles or breaks down).
As to how long that might take would be the question.

I had some old vinyl belt drives in some electronic devices, some belts pretty much did turn back into some sort of a sticky oily substance; some other belts distintegrated into some sort of a grainy powdery like substance.
Some plastics are very sensitive to ultraviolet light waves, so they tend to break down faster under UV light than not under UV light. At least the slabs should have no PVC compounds in them now. But tiny amounts of other things could be possible.

nOoBiEeE

CD's can last for a long time, depends on environment and the type of chemical dyes used to coat the CD.

mgoodm3

Do the slabs have warranties? If not then we are safe for many years to come.

nwcs

I'd say our lifetime unless cracked out.

ElectricEye

I have cd's that are first gen including a CD Video CD from 1985 that runs perfect ~ no degradation at all ~ I can't see slabs going south without a great deal of misuse

MacCrimmon

The coins in the slabs have the potential of 'going south' long before the plastic (most likely of the polycarbonate family of plastics).

coinkat

I have heard and seen 78 RPM records that are over 75 years old that are still playable and sound fine... if they are played on an appropriate turntable... but we had to have CD's As for slabs, take care of them and they will be find. I have some that are 17 years old that look fine.

pursuitofliberty

I read something once on this subject ... although for the life of me I can't remember where ... it was about NGC slabs, and how they should be replaced if over ten years old ... but I'll be damned if I can remeber why ??? ... maybe it was just a marketing ploy ???

Hey, wait ... at the rate everyone around here talks about crossing over and regrading, what's the difference

longtimecollector

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Sheriff "Bing Bing Bing" Samleslab Kiefer