Sample slabs, 2 piece slabs, Doilies, etc....

NotSure

Is it due to 'Doily-mania' that these 2-piece slabs (the 2.0, 2.5, 3.5.....any non-Doily, 2 piece slab) are beginning to go into the stratosphere (we've seen it happen with the 2.5's and 3.5's, with the Doilies just going crazy))? I have passed on sooo many of the '64-D Roosie sample slabs, in the 2.0 slabs.....there seemed to be a gagillion of them. Normally (meaning in the past, and not too distant past, I might add) they wound up going for 'dirt' (very cheap), but this one, well, it was listed at 50 bucks to start, and the one bidder (one for now) hopped on it just a few hours after it was listed. Is this some sort of sign plastic is the new collectible (not just Doilies)?

Heck, if I had for ONE SECOND thought one of these would bring at least $50, I would have jumped on every one I saw in the past (and there used to be a plethora available in that 'dirt' pricing area, like less than $20....heck, they almost couldn't be given away). Could it be because the cert # is NOT 'XXXX.64/1234567', and has a different # (as most all PCGS samples I've seen have '1234567' for the cert), or is this a normal 'cert #' for Roosie sample slabs? I tried checking 'sampleslabs.com', but that appears to be gone now (understandably so). Regardless.....$50 (for now, with 4 days left) for a sample slab? Does anyone a reasonable explanation for this, or is this particular one an anomally?

Ideas, comments...perhaps a guess as to how high it will go?

DRUNNER

Just got back from a 4 day golf trip (shot well . . . 7 handicap) .

I believe holder-mania is complex. I'd love to expand fully, but just drove 5 hours from southern Utah and I'm beat . .it is midnight . .

History is in play here, and the Doily is one of many factors. Others are the uniqueness of various holders (2.5s / 3.5s / Samples / NGC 2.1 / NGC 2.0 / NGC Black) and the realization that these are a subset of collectible coins that will never be repeated. I have no idea what premiums will end up being or who will want them. I DO know that despite the naysayers, rare holders have a following and it is growing by the day. My PMs show this . . .I have multiple offers to purchase (_________) holders at almost any price.

Samples . . yes, you are right. I see MANY of them (and just got home to 3 'rare' ones I got for $14 each) . . but I am not very well-versed in the market on those. I find them interesting but others (oreville---Conder101 ATS) know infinitely more).

But, to answer .

Before I left on the golf trip I bid $40 on 3 Roosie Samples . . . and got them. The seller had 5. I just took 3, leaving a few for others. $50 for a Roosie Sample? Uh . . .no. Waaaaaaaaay too much. I have bought them from $7 to $14 and have a stable of them that will die with me . . .

Drunner
(But I defer to the better informed . .who may reply later!)

ambro51

Several months ago at the local coin show I got into a bidding war with someone over this



which I was bidding on for no good reason other than Ive never seen another. Now Im $70 into it, and have no doubts that before long my high price paid will be vindicated. What I noticed about the one I bought was that it was in "MS70" slab condition, with a perfect outer ring, and scratch free plastic.

astrorat

Sample slabs is an odd market. There are a few of us that are/were dedicated to trading in them, but beyond those die-hards, it was a thin market. Some samples are legitimately rare; Compugrade, Accugrade, and PCI photo (to name a few) and others that are scarce, yet popular such as the PCGS Doily and the NGC fatty. Note: There are some "special" samples, like the NGC Morgan/Peace dollars or the PCGS 1921 Morgans that were "samples" but not really given away as freebies. These "special" samples command a large premium, but are not in the same market as the giveaways.

Prices can be all over the place as dealers and collectors test the market. For example, there is an Accugrade sample on eBay at the moment that is a rare sample slab. It's only the second I have seen, but I suspect that there may be a couple others out there in collector's hands. But, IMHO, it's not worth the $400 price being asked as the opening bid. I would say a reasonable price would be $175-$200. However, there are probably only a handful of folks willing to spend that kind of money on that particular sample

Another example: few years back there were a few of the PCI photo samples that appeared on the bourse and eBay (these are the ones with the 1955-S dime). On the bourse, they were quickly picked up for $10-$15 each. On eBay, they were selling for $100-$150 ... until about 5 were sold ... then the price fell to around $30-40. I have no idea what any would bring today.

Do a search on eBay and you will see all sorts of early sample slabs with wildly different pricing. Most sample slabs probably are worth $5-$15 each. For those looking for the "Holy grail" of sample slabs, there are two: NGC Black and PCGS Regency. As far as I know, none were made or at least none have ever been reported.