Which slab generation do you like the best?
Zoins
Posts: 34,288 ✭✭✭✭✭
Given that PCGS has a number of slab generations now, which do you like the best?
What features of any generation slab do you like?
I have to say one of my major gripes about the last generation, stackability, seems to have improved with this latest generation.
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In my opinion, the true old fatty NGC holders that have been likened to a bar of soap felt the most solid and stable when stacked. I also like that they had, if I recall correctly, generally flat (not rounded), thick edges that were serrated and this made grabbing them out of a box easier. The newest version of the PCGS slabs appear to have the best optical clarity of any plastic used and so these are far superior for viewing, but I do think that PCGS has sometimes put a slight convex bow on their slabs centered over the coin and this can attract scratches and haze. The new PCGS slabs also have the coin separated from the paper insert and have their translucent plastic, which allows much more light onto the coin, especially onto small coins.
Overall, I would prefer the surface protection, ease of gripping the edge and overall tank-like feel of the NGC soap bar holder combined with the optical quality, insert separation and clear or translucent property of the current PCGS plastic.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
For just PCGS----I like the early OGHs with the 4 rivets and no logo of the front. I like the look and the thickness of it.
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The PCGS green label are my favorites.
Unlike many collectors, I don't like the old rattle holders at all. First of all they don't fit in with any other series. Second, as their name implies, they rattle and allow the coin to rotate more times than I like.
I know, a lot of them were under graded, but a good number of those pieces have cracked out. I had three of them from the early days, that I cracked out, the grades went up from 1 to five points when I resubmitted the coins. The five point increase was from AU-58 to MS-63. The MS-63 was actually correct.
For coins anything pre prong era works for me.
2.1 holders which have a sharp stacking edge you can almost cut yourself on.
I like those also as at times some coins where really conservatively graded.
Precisely. I have just 2 of them that come to mind. My 1940-S 65 and 1941-S 65. I feel that they are both at least 66s but I would never crack them out, as they are secure, stable and look really nice inside those old slabs.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
Ummmmmm . . . . . if you have to ask . . . . ???
Drunner
I was tring to figure out a way to say this. I don't care for the "prongs" at all. I like the solid gaskets.
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Prongs suck.
rainbowroosie April 1, 2003
When I'm taking photos, it seems like the PCGS Rattler holders make for the best imaging. But for my coins I really don't like them as much as the modern holders with the prongs. I do like to see the edges of my coins, at least as much as possible.
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I appreciate seeing the edge with the prong holders but they do make it harder to take good photos. It seems it's impossible to take perfect (prongless) photos with prong holders.
Personally, overall I like the old NGC fatties. Of the PCGS designs, I like the old green holders the most.
I do not care for fancy prongs (should be an option for those that want it), fancy labels, or anything related to first strikes.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
Old NGC fatties.....preferably no bar codes. Then the ANACS small holder with gold foil hologram reverse.
Then comes the ogh and rattler.
Doilies and Green holders (old)
NGC, the fatties.
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I like the newest PCGS slabs the best overall, but like the PCGS green label with Univers font (not the 30th Anniversary throwback label) better than the current one.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
I like the size and feel of the old, small ANACS holders.
As for modern ones, the latest PCGS holder is hands-down best for all the reasons TomB cited.
I've come around to preferring prong holders. The old, prong-less gaskets obscured the entire edge and much of the rim which made for awkward photographic compromises.
Lance.
Since you do a lot of coin photography, I was wondering if you have any feeling on prongs with respect to photos?
I've only got one coin in a doily holder but, dang, that is one classy look.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
NGC fatties, pre bar code. Nice solid old school feel.
I like the new PCGS holders. They seem to be more secure than before.
The old ANACS white soap bars, hands down!
I preferred the older slabs that had the coin number as part of the label. It gave you a sense of the order when storing the coins in boxes, etc.
Love rattlers, TWAs (Tiny White Anacs), and soapbar NGC. But I have to admit, this newest generation of PCGS slabs is really nice. The polymer is crystal clear and has a lightweight look/feel. Simple but really secure feeling. Nice job, PCGS.
--Severian the Lame
Personally I liked the look of the "old green holder" the best. I would love to see the current plastic with green labels (permanently), the current security features, and the edge view prongs as an option.
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I think he meant ANACS.
The old ANACS white slabs were thick like soap bars but just smaller in overall size.
A member here once humorously called them 'hotel soap bars'. lol
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
@afford said: Did you mean to say ngc?
I would post a picture but I'm still trying to figure this forum out........... Wait, I think I got it.
I care about the holders a little bit, but not that much. I guess I prefer the new PCGS holders since they're optically superior and easy to polish if they get scuffed. It's the thing on the inside that mostly draws my attention.
Damn! It worked!
I have a tolerate-hate relationship with them. NGC prongs are unsightly in a photograph and they can cast shadows on smaller coins. Of all the coins I selected for my calendars since starting, only one has been in an NGC prong holder, because the coin was too cool not to include, and the prongs weren't overly intrusive. PCGS prongs blend in with the coin better and pretty much stay on the outer part of the rim. In general, 3c silver, half dimes, and $2.50 and $5 gold, tolerate prongs the least. One nice thing about prongs is that it's easier to light the entire coin than it had been, especially for thin coins in NGC holders. You can also get a good shot of the rim and edge. Finally, with larger coins, the NGC prong holders make it easier to tilt the coin in the slab for the photo should that be advantageous.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
My favorite slab hands down are ANACS "hotel soap" slabs. Especially with big crown sized coins in them. I wonder why they did away with the style. It was their thing and set them apart to a great degree in terms of visual uniqueness in the land of slabs
"The old ANACS white soap bars, hands down!" I agree. .
Look for the older 1st gen. ANA label ones. They're even smaller and thinner
@CascadeChris
Hey Chris- How's it going?
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I was not aware the newer NGC slabs do not stack at all. Now I realize how good we have it with PCGS. At the FUN show, I tested NGC slabs and found only the FATTYS interlock and stack. I was considering a NGC purchase but no way, I will only purchase PCGS or NGC fattys. Coin/slab stacking is FUN.
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THE BEST:
For Viewing: The latest Gen 6.05 (better scratch resistant plastic, most light on coin. (Downside is added thickness and the Prongs obstruct a tiny bit of the rim.)
For Photographing: Gen 4.4 / 4.4s (The last version before the prongs. Prongs make it impossible to take nice obstruction free photos of the entire coin in the slab. Tho it's true that the gasket does cover a minute part of the rim, it's not noticeable in most photos -- except perhaps on Matte Proof Lincolns, where people like to gaze at the full razor sharp, wide and flat rims).
For Looks: Gen 3.1 (perhaps it's the romance of the Old Green Holder and it's the last best iteration of that label color). Tho Gen 4.4 was a nice looking slab. Unfortunately, there is just something neg. about those prong slabs which are not as clean looking to me.)
THE WORST:
Has to be that dark green Regency (bottom right) -- that is one ugly mug.
Also bad in terms of looks are those first few iterations, Gen 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2 ... Mostly because of the label that looks oh so amateur (like it was typed up by hand). However I get the excitement over those as it's old old stuff that tends to be a bit under-graded.
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3.0 and 3.1 are my favorites. I've never liked the rattler slabs. Coins always seemed to shift around and the holder just had a cheap look and feel to them.
PCGS 2002-2012 holders. I don't like the prong holders because they interfere with photography.
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
Gen 4.0. Every coin I ever bought in these upgraded.
The old ANACS white soap bars, hands down!
Yeah I really liked these too. Pre-Prong holders for the other ones. ICG has a couple of nice feeling slabs too.
K
Does anyone particularly care for the inserts that can be seen from the top of the slab such as those from ANACS and SEGS? Should other TPGs look top adopt something like this?
I just do not care.... I like coins, I cannot be bothered by all this holder difference stuff... sure, i have a lot of different slabs... different TPG's and different generations.... I have no idea which ones and do not care. For me, it is all about the coin.... Cheers, RickO
The old ANACS little holders were always my favorite.
Not sure if the OP's question is focused only on PCGS slabs, but since others have broadened the envelope (pun intended), one of the best plastic envelopes developed to date has to include the original SEGS slab. As related by SEGS, their innovations prompted changes made by the other TPGs:
"It is, and has always been costly to us to provide these type products to the consumer but, this particular endowment of conservation and preservation to the industry and the forthcoming changes made by our competitors makes us exceptionally appreciative.
.....
"Our capsule has been tested by Dow Chemicals, Kodak, and United Laboratories. One of the most esteemed chemists in the country tested the SEGS capsule ..... and concluded that the SEGS capsule would protect the item encapsulated, in its condition at the time of encapsulation, for 100 years, and perhaps more. "
segsgrading.com/Content/OurProduct
I like the OGH slabs and really like the 3.1 OGH best of the bunch.
Mike