How much value do major brand slabs add to the value of a coin?

291fifth · March 9, 2015 11:02PM

1. For coins minted after 1933.

2. For coins minted before 1933.

Brands: PCGS, NGC, ANACS.

Say the coin is solid for the grade, problem free and attractive.

Versus a raw example, how much premium do the various slab brands add. Be as specific as you wish and feel free to comment on your own specialty.

ARCO · March 9, 2015 11:08PM

PCGS circulated grades in the Bust, Seated, Barber and Walking Liberty - at least 30-40% more value for a slab than raw. IMO.

Tyler

MrEureka · March 9, 2015 11:18PM

FWIW, there are many coins that are worth more raw, to many potential buyers, than if correctly graded and slabbed. If you have doubts about that, check out an EAC bourse, or eBay. And that's just for starters.

291fifth · March 9, 2015 11:43PM

<< FWIW, there are many coins that are worth more raw, to many potential buyers, than if correctly graded and slabbed. If you have doubts about that, check out an EAC bourse, or eBay. And that's just for starters. >>

Do you think the "internet-only" type of eBay buyers have essentially created a second numismatic market: they don't belong to clubs; they don't go to brick and mortar shops; they can't grade, identify altered surfaces or spot counterfeits?

BillJones · March 9, 2015 11:51PM

<< FWIW, there are many coins that are worth more raw, to many potential buyers, than if correctly graded and slabbed. If you have doubts about that, check out an EAC bourse, or eBay. And that's just for starters. >>

With American coins, I would agree with the EAC part. Many of those collectors don't care for slabs, and prefer their coins to be raw, but slabs have made some inroads in the high grade area of the early copper market.

When comes to tokens and medals, it's still a horserace. As a token and medal collector I prefer to buy those pieces raw and in the original 19th century boxes for medals, if they were issued in boxes. I buy slabbed tokens when I have to, but I have admit that I have not cracked out any of the pieces I have purchased. It's easy to crack out, but no so easy or inexpensive to to them slabbed again.

As for eBay, I see that as sort of the numismatic "wild west." There are some savy buyers there, but a lot of them don't know their head from a hole in the ground. That is evidenced by the number of bids that the many counterfeits (some of them not so deceptive) get there.

ricko · March 10, 2015 12:10AM

It is undeniable that slabs have added to the cost of coins. They also may have served to expand the hobby to some extent (giving confidence to new collectors etc.). For those of us that appreciate the coin - and understand condition/grade - they at times can be considered a nuisance due to price inflation. However, for myself, I evaluate the coin, separately from the slab, and make my purchase decision based on what I see and price. Cheers, RickO

oih82w8 · March 10, 2015 12:13AM

I have taken a chance on some nicely toned raw coins, and have had agreements with the seller that if they did not slab problem free, that they could be returned. I have been 80% successful and only had to return one...and it was the best looking of the bunch.

Bottom line...yes, Top III (PCGS then NGC then ANACS) certified coins bring more value than raw...IMO.

TwoSides2aCoin · March 10, 2015 12:23AM

Well , for me in a brick and mortar who knew nothing about "shop ownership" until I took the plunge 6 years ago, ebay was "my only hope" of finding some coins.
The added value is not dependent on the brand as much as the coin, in my opinion. The coin ALWAYS determines how MUCH value the person buying places on it. And then, he can do or think what he wants. Value is perceived on each coin and some like to think only one brand will do. That's the enemy of capitalism.

LindeDad · March 10, 2015 1:06AM

Since the counterfeiters are so good I'll give it all the marbles when I'm diving in the deep end it's going to be certified or I pass. Consider it cheap insurance.
And yes I know there are fake slabs but their easier to spot than the fake coins most times.

BillJones · March 10, 2015 1:10AM

<< Since the counterfeiters are so good I'll give it all the marbles when I'm diving in the deep end it's going to be certified or I pass. Consider it cheap insurance.

>>

Yes, the counterfeit angle is huge these days. Most collectors should keep this in mind when they consider a major purchase.

And I'll say this again. These days, if an important coin is raw, it's often raw for a reason, and that reason is almost never to your benefit. This is especially true now that PCGS and NGC now place genuine coins with problems in slabs.

jayPem · March 10, 2015 1:45AM

$300

TwoSides2aCoin · March 10, 2015 1:49AM

<< $300 >>

Now this reminds me of the good old days around here.

vplite99 · March 10, 2015 4:18AM

<< 

<< Since the counterfeiters are so good I'll give it all the marbles when I'm diving in the deep end it's going to be certified or I pass. Consider it cheap insurance.

>>

Yes, the counterfeit angle is huge these days. Most collectors should keep this in mind when they consider a major purchase.

And I'll say this again. These days, if an important coin is raw, it's often raw for a reason, and that reason is almost never to your benefit. This is especially true now that PCGS and NGC now place genuine coins with problems in slabs. >>

This is the most true on ebay. So many scammers.

JJSingleton · March 10, 2015 4:21AM

Do the math...30 million coins graded by PCGS. I don't know about value but somebody has to pay for all this grading and in most cases it is the collector.

How much value do major brand slabs add to the value of a coin?

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