The cost of producing a slab?

2ltdjorn · December 3, 2012 7:57AM

As a collector I am a fan of the smaller ANA/ANACs, and Compugrade slabs. I am not sure of the logical progression from the smaller slabs to the more common, and current PCGS slabs other than the rationale they hold larger coins... but not many of us have to worry about holdering a Pan-Pac $50.

I would think the smaller slabs would be cheaper? Unless logic doesn't apply?
Thoughts?

stealer · December 3, 2012 8:43AM

It all depends on the type of plastic and insert used. Could be the old ANACS slabs are more expensive than any form of PCGS slabs.

CoinZip · December 3, 2012 8:44AM

I don't know anything about the cost to produce slabs.....but I love that Busty you have pictured.....

LindeDad · December 3, 2012 8:47AM

Why would anyone think that logic should or would apply. Logically they would of been sealed from the get go and they still are not.

messydesk · December 3, 2012 10:00AM

In the quantities the TPGs go through slabs and inserts or gaskets, I'd have to think the production cost of the parts, ignoring the tooling, is a few cents per slab. Also, while the old ANACS slab is smaller, the gasket is the full size of the slab. The larger PCGS slab is only 2 grams heavier than the smaller ANACS slab. The more significant difference in cost between the two might be in the time to assemble them.

MICHAELDIXON · December 3, 2012 10:04AM

Several years ago, 3 of us were contemplating starting a Morgan Dollar Grading Service. The slabs, PCGS/NGC size, in quantity were going to cost us 25c each and the gas rings were 4c each in quantity. This was being made in China. The machine to seal the slabs were anywhere from $3,500. used to $15,000 and the horn to go over the slab to seal it was around $2,000.

astrorat · December 3, 2012 11:13AM

A large expense (the figure I heard was about $100K) is the production of the dies to make the slab pieces. I have NO idea if that number was on target or a WAG.

I am also a fan of the small ANACS cache.

MICHAELDIXON · December 3, 2012 11:19AM

A large expense (the figure I heard was about $100K) is the production of the dies to make the slab pieces. I have NO idea if that number was on target or a WAG.

Very far off! If I recall correctly, the cost of making the injection mold (die) was around $8,000. I have everything related to this in my office somewhere.

MICHAELDIXON · December 3, 2012 11:23AM

The cost quoted to make the injection mold (die ) was $4,300. USD. It was out of Taiwan, ROC. Looking at everything I have, the cost of the small CompuGrade slabs were higher, but the injection mold (die) price was the same.

astrorat · December 3, 2012 11:48AM

<< A large expense (the figure I heard was about $100K) is the production of the dies to make the slab pieces. I have NO idea if that number was on target or a WAG.

Very far off! If I recall correctly, the cost of making the injection mold (die) was around $8,000. I have everything related to this in my office somewhere. >>

Thanks for the correction. Plastics is not my area. I thought $100K was high, but I had no idea what a rational cost would be.

keets · December 3, 2012 12:42PM

i would question why stuff like this would be quoted from China and Taiwan?? there should be plenty of U.S. firms more than capable of machining such things and producing the individual slab components at competitive prices, perhaps even cheaper. logically, where would you rather have your supplier, a few States away or an ocean away??

WTCG · December 3, 2012 12:48PM

Conventional wisdom would tell you that a larger slab contains more raw material so they should cost more. That is true to an extent but the real cost factors are the production issues such as product design, production difficulty and salability, as in whether the slab is a custom order item or if the same design could be sold to multiple buyers.

The cost of the raw material between an ANACS holder and PCGS holder is probably not that significant despite the size difference. The PCGS holder likely costs more because the design is more complicated than the relatively flat and straight sided ANACS holder.

messydesk · December 3, 2012 1:01PM

<< i would question why stuff like this would be quoted from China and Taiwan?? there should be plenty of U.S. firms more than capable of machining such things and producing the individual slab components at competitive prices, perhaps even cheaper. logically, where would you rather have your supplier, a few States away or an ocean away?? >>

The Coin World slabs I use for my VAMSlabs are made near Columbus, OH. Shipping from there 90 miles to Sidney, where Amos Hobby fills orders, is probably a bit easier and less expensive than ordering from China.

leothelyon · December 3, 2012 1:04PM

The Anacs slabs were likely more expensive since they supplied a higher ridge surrounding the face of the plastic over the coin, This protected that surface from scratches, same principle the US Mint applies to our coins, a higher rim protects the center devices from getting all nicked and scratched up.

WARNING!! Do not allow the face of a PCGS slab to slide across any surface or you will end up ruining the faces of the slab.

keets · December 3, 2012 1:04PM

the cost is in the mold(s), the actual product cost is negligible.

MsMorrisine · December 3, 2012 1:08PM

someone want a quote?

keets · December 3, 2012 1:17PM

WARNING!! Do not allow the face of a PCGS slab to slide across any surface or you will end up ruining the faces of the slab.

i just measured two PCGS slabs i have on my desk..........................

the center containing the coin is about .336
the reverse ridge to the obverse ridge is about .351
the reverse ridge to the obverse stacking tab is about .379

that means when laying flat the reverse face is only about .007 above whatever the slab is on and the obverse face is about .035.......................not much protection.

WTCG · December 3, 2012 1:21PM

<< 

<< i would question why stuff like this would be quoted from China and Taiwan?? there should be plenty of U.S. firms more than capable of machining such things and producing the individual slab components at competitive prices, perhaps even cheaper. logically, where would you rather have your supplier, a few States away or an ocean away?? >>

>>

You would think so but no. One main reason manufacturing takes place overseas is because of easier access to the raw material supply chain. More availability of production materials in China means faster and cheaper production, even considering the cost of transportation. They could make the holders in the U.S. but the plastic and other necessary raw materials would still need to be imported, adding to costs. Labor costs (although rapidly increasing) are low in China, and Taiwanese companies that own the factories have comprehensive access to the supply chain.

There are multiple reasons why companies choose to manufacture in overseas facilities. For many products it really is cheaper and faster to make things outside of the U.S.

ebaybuyer · December 3, 2012 1:42PM

its cheaper and faster to make things outside of the USA... just have to find a way to market those things to people here who are out of a job because everything is outsourced overseas. lol i heard recently that the US is importing grain from china. that information disgusted me, especially when one considers that china doesnt have any FDA (not that the US FDA is worth a squirt but it does exist) why is it so easy for the chinese to copy our slabs ? because they make the things in the first place. not sure about the rest of the country but in this area we have a proiblem with drywall (imported from china) the poison that is used in the glue is turning to dust and being inhaled by the homeowners, and causing sickness, permanent respiratory problems etc. so i ask this, is it really cheaper to buy overseas when you factor in ALL the costs involved ? no its not.

MICHAELDIXON · December 3, 2012 1:50PM

I guess I should have been politically correct and said: "The cost quoted to make the injection mold (die ) was $4,300. from an offshore company."

DIMEMAN · December 3, 2012 2:06PM

It's a shame that big companies care more about the bottom line than the good of the nation and it's people!!!

Moldnut · December 3, 2012 2:14PM

These are simple, probably low cavitation molds, as they dont need millions of parts. I also see that they are gated on the edge and dont use a high dollar hot tip manifold (MoldMasters) that are quite pricey. $20,000-$60,000 alone depending on how many cavities they run in the tool.

Dont be fooled, these molds can get very pricey. A certian razor company (I could tell you but...) spends well over $250,000 per mold to produce their products.

Wolf359 · December 3, 2012 2:56PM

<< It's a shame that big companies care more about the bottom line than the good of the nation and it's people!!!

>>

The companies that put country and people first are the first to go out of business.

SmEagle1795 · December 3, 2012 3:52PM

I imagine 3D printers will help reduce the cost for do-it-yourselfers.

dollarsandcents · December 3, 2012 9:57PM

<< It's a shame that big companies care more about the bottom line than the good of the nation and it's people!!!

>>

Do companies exist to make money for the owners of the company, or do they exist for the "good of the nation and its people?"
Why should it be shameful to turn a profit?

PerryHall · December 3, 2012 10:08PM

<< It all depends on the type of plastic and insert used. Could be the old ANACS slabs are more expensive than any form of PCGS slabs. >>

I also liked the old small ANACS slabs and I doubt they were more expensive to manufacture than any other slab and were probably cheaper to make since they used less raw materials. They were 2" in width and could fit in any box that could hold a 2X2 flip and any US coin would fit in them with the exception of the $50 slug.

PerryHall · December 3, 2012 10:15PM

I like the PCGS slabs except that I've seen too many slabs where the stacking tabs on the corners have broken off.

magikbilly · December 3, 2012 10:28PM

<< 

<< It's a shame that big companies care more about the bottom line than the good of the nation and it's people!!!

>>

Do companies exist to make money for the owners of the company, or do they exist for the "good of the nation and its people?"
Why should it be shameful to turn a profit? >>

I have no idea, but I work darn hard to get the right collectibles to the right people, often taking a loss. I like to think it is appreciated.

Eric

MICHAELDIXON · December 4, 2012 12:04AM

Why do posts get so far off topic? The question was: "The cost of producing a slab?" I answered it with the information I had and now it has turned into an ill informed economics class, which I teach at the college level. Stick to the topic at hand. "The cost of producing a slab?"

PerryHall · December 4, 2012 1:20AM

<< Why do posts get so far off topic? The question was: "The cost of producing a slab?" I answered it with the information I had and now it has turned into an ill informed economics class, which I teach at the college level. Stick to the topic at hand. "The cost of producing a slab?" >>

Sorry, but just because you start a thread doesn't mean you can control the direstion it goes but I'm sure you already knew this.

That said, I have no idea what it costs to produce a slab but the unit cost must be fairly low considering the very high quantities being produced and used by the major grading services.

LostSisler · December 5, 2012 3:55PM

:-)

PerryHall · December 5, 2012 9:53PM

<< 

<< It's a shame that big companies care more about the bottom line than the good of the nation and it's people!!!

>>

The companies that put country and people first are the first to go out of business. >>

I believe it's possible to be both profitable and a good corporate citizen.

leothelyon · December 5, 2012 10:17PM

<< WARNING!! Do not allow the face of a PCGS slab to slide across any surface or you will end up ruining the faces of the slab.

i just measured two PCGS slabs i have on my desk..........................

the center containing the coin is about .336
the reverse ridge to the obverse ridge is about .351
the reverse ridge to the obverse stacking tab is about .379

that means when laying flat the reverse face is only about .007 above whatever the slab is on and the obverse face is about .035.......................not much protection. >>

leothelyon · December 5, 2012 10:45PM

<< WARNING!! Do not allow the face of a PCGS slab to slide across any surface or you will end up ruining the faces of the slab.

i just measured two PCGS slabs i have on my desk..........................

the center containing the coin is about .336
the reverse ridge to the obverse ridge is about .351
the reverse ridge to the obverse stacking tab is about .379

that means when laying flat the reverse face is only about .007 above whatever the slab is on and the obverse face is about .035.......................not much protection. >>

And what's the distance between slabs, front to back, the way they would stack.

A wikipedia article says paper is .009 or 9 mils. Someone stated in a "how to" article, "A mil is not short for millimeter. A mil is one thousand of an inch or 0.001"
Your .007 figure would explain why my 1" strip of paper feels pinched between two slabs, the paper being thicker at .009 of an inch.

Gee Al, we probably have the whole world thinking twice about throwing their slabs around, eh? I probably should do a youtube video using all the popular slabs like sandpaper on a table with a few grains of salt or sand and post the results.

Another theory why the PCGS slabs don't offer better protection for the faces of their slabs, perhaps there's reasoning that a thicker face would be less pervious against gases or harmful chemicals in the enviornment. Assuming the plastic of the faces is thicker than other slabs, of course.

magikbilly · December 6, 2012 12:28AM

I betcha its profitable

Eric

The cost of producing a slab?

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The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

My Jefferson Nickel Collection

The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

My Jefferson Nickel Collection

The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

My Jefferson Nickel Collection

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