Evolution of a collector

Cladiator

When I first started collecting these round, metal discs in a somewhat serious manner I refused to buy any coin unless it was in a PCGS slab. In fact, I wouldn't even look at coins in other slabs or raw coins...didn't even give them the time of day.

Some time went by and I became more comfortable with the series I chose to collect. I loosened my restrictions a bit and began accepting coins from both PCGS and NGC. Not long after that ANACS was admitted to my search.

After a while my comfort level increased even more and I began looking at the stigma stricken raw coins.

The next stop down the road of evolution for me was to look at the coins that are housed in the less than reputable plastic.

While traveling down this ever changing road I came to the realization that I am a coin collector. A coin collector! Not a slab collector and not a coin in a slab collector. I realized that what drew me to this hobby of coin collecting was coins. Hell, when my curiosity was first sparked by coins I didn't even know that plastic slabs existed.

I now believe that slabs are a tool. They serve their purpose well for authentication, protection, grade approximation and can be an excellent safety net for those that are new to the hobby or uncomfortable about a coin series. I think they should be viewed as a cruch, to help collectors until they feel confident enough to walk without them.

Cladiator

I'm not sure why I made this thread. It was just a thought I had today and for some reason was compelled to put it down in writing.

richardshipp

Well put Cladiator.

However you forgot the part about your eyesight going from 20/20 to 20/200 from the strain of looking at Half Dimes for so long

Pentimento

<< <i>can be an excellent safety net for those that are new to the hobby or uncomfortable about a coin series. >>



They can also be an excellent safety net for those that drop things.

SeaEagleCoins

WELL SAID...I could not say it any better...thank you for your observation and opinion!!!

I recently purchased my first Bust Dollar...simply because I thought it was beautiful and wished to own it. I only had it 'slabbed' for the safety factor...I do not agree with the grade on the PCGS holder but it is now reasonably safe and is authenticated. It is not nearly as satisfying as being able to actually hold the coin yet it sits on my desk and I am pleased to own it.

OKbustchaser

Well, Rich,

All that I can say is "It's about dadgum time!" Welcome to the wonderful world of COIN collecting.

Jim

kiyote

It makes sense... I'm putting together a "box of 20" for US Notes- trying to avoid all of the mistakes I ever made in coins. Right now I'm ONLY buying PCGS high graded material. If I ever get more comfortable grading notes myself, that might change.

BN

I agree 100%, given the position I'm in I'll be using slabs to insure I don't accidentally rip any one off with a fake. Also to insure my own grade wasn't way off.

BN

Coxe

It depends on when you got involved with the hobby. Most of us who collected in the 70s and prior miss handling the raw coins. I took a break myself after my original collection was stolen. When I resumed, slabs were beginning to take hold. Sight-unseen trading was still (and does today too) scoffed by many. Still, I went for this new company, Teletrade, for some purchases for the heck of it. After all, it couldn't be much worse than on approval mail-order purchases of the past. Anyway, all you had were descriptions of the lots and the supposed guarantees of the three TPGs. In those NY state days, I found their descriptions to be among the most accurate in the business for their length. That was a necessity to get people to consider buying sight-unseen certified coins. But except for a high $$$ coin on a grading cusp, which of the top three (now four) plastics a coin is encased in is entirely irrelevant to me and probably many others. I use them for authenticity concerns but buy the coin on my own. I think many of the more recent collectors have struggled in the other direction, putting longtime faith in the TPGs and having a hard time being personally objective on coins. We all meet somewhere in the middle over time though.

ricko

Welcome to COIN collecting... Cheers, RickO

cladking

There are some great issues raised here.

It also highlights the reason the grading services were originally established; to
fascilitate coin trading among those who aren't expert, to allow sight-unseen trad-
ing.

Surely there are many others who wouldn't be collecting today if not for the presence
of slabs. This will prove to be a path more people take as time goes by.

garsmith

<<However you forgot the part about your eyesight going from 20/20 to 20/200 from the strain of looking at Half Dimes for so long>>

Is this picture of you Clad

Cladiator

<< <i>Is this picture of you Clad >>

Nope, that's my pop

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>Is this picture of you Clad >>

Nope, that's my pop >>



again, sorry to hear that the court did not grant him a stay of execution.

Coinosaurus

What's interesting is that there are dealers walking the exact same path........not confident enough to deal in raw coins......using the plastic as a crutch......etc., etc.

Longacre

I've said this before-- I am getting more liberal in my old age regarding slabbed coins (my bleeding heart liberal political stance, as I have been accused by some of having, has not changed ). I will now look at coins in all holders, as well as raw coins. I am still reluctant to spend a great deal of money on a raw coin, but hopefully with more experience, that will change, too.

Merc

It was interesting to read how you only wanted PCGS graded coins at first. I can't imagine doing that. I learned as a kid on raw coins before there was a PCGS. I've never shuned a coin because of the holder. I do however mostly buy coins in one of the big 3's holders. There are just too many problem raw coins out there.

PerryHall

<< <i>What's interesting is that there are dealers walking the exact same path........not confident enough to deal in raw coins......using the plastic as a crutch......etc., etc. >>



Maybe they sell plastic because that's what their customers want to buy.