Informal poll about slabs and aesthetics
cinque1543
Posts: 168 ✭✭✭
I know it's "about the coin, not the slab", but IMHO some slabs enhance the beauty of a coin while others detract from it. Just curious what others think when it comes to silver coins. For this Walking Liberty half dollar, for instance, which slab do you think best enhances its beauty?
Choose among PCGS, NGC, CACG, ANACS, ICG or any others you have come across. Note this is not a question about grading accuracy or adding monetary value to a coin. This is purely about aesthetics.
3
Comments
I am not a fan if the "prongs" or "fingers" inserts of modern PCGS or NGC holders. I prefer the solid gaskets.
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It is about the condition of slab, something a number of people who have had them care little about. Scratches and stains are a major detractor, whereas a clean slab adds to the presentation and you know the coin and slab were much better cared for. Many times online photos do not catch the bad apples, but for the most part through 597 slab purchases, they have come out well enough.
For silver and gold coins a black insert really sets the coin off unless very darkly toned/circulated. For copper or very darkly toned/circulated a white or clear insert works best. Currently the CACG slab has some of the best optical clarity, time will tell if that level of clarity can be maintained after those slabs have been handled and shuffled around.
My Collection of Old Holders
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Good point. Other than careful handling, do you take other steps to protect your slabs, such as using protector bags?
My informal answer. The small white ANAC holders are the best. The "safety" yellow ANAC holders are the worst. The larger the coin the more I like PCGS. The smaller the coin the more I like NGC. Have yet to see in person a CACG holder. The old green style ICG holders were attractive. The new baby blue ICG holders are less attractive but not a deal breaker. James
I agree 100% about the old solid white ANACS Slabs ... Especially for the larger size denominations and large cents. They handle well, you see more of the coin and not distracted by the slab and label plus they stored very well. More fit in the safe or SD Box. For small pieces Like 3 C trimes ... they get lost in the large holders especially those NGC. the prongs help improve this. The old Rattlers (if they did not rattle) are great if they are not scratch. Otherwise, to me it is like holding the coin in your hand verses holding a large slab
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Especially the NGC prongs which often obscure portions of the reverse in particular.
PCGS down the road from silicon valley have made the best improvements, the best aesthetics and tech info online.
Personally, I like a clear to semi-translucent gasket with prongs so I can see the edge of the coin. Which means CACG or the newer styles of PCGS holders for my tastes.
The clear-ish gaskets without prongs are okay, but coins in them lose some of their three dimensionality, and I start to feel like I’m looking at pictures rather than at actual coins.
Aesthetically, I prefer my coins not in a holder at all, but I still have most of my better coins graded for similar reasons to others here.
Black NGC retro holder for silver with modest to no toning. Small ANACS or CACG otherwise. As has been mentioned the condition of the slab is paramount.
Best aesthetics: ANACS small white holder - smaller is better, bring it back!
Best aesthetic presentation: CACG - with its large viewing field.
I'll take the clear prongs on PCGS holders. Now we can see the edges. The NGC progs can hide problems.
I don't like the silid gaskets because you can't see any of the edge.
I think that the PCGS slab is the most attractive.
The slabs I hate the most are any of them that are used to house medals. The darn things are so big that they take of safe depostit box space in nothing flat.
Those big slabs are great for display purposes. Depends on security tho.
My favorite slab is NGC #3
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My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I use those bags and they are fantastic. They are low profile so you can still store them in a standard PCGS box with the baggie.
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
I'm with BillJones above -- PCGS > NGC, prongs/edge > solid
That said, I have a soft spot for the curved top edge of ANACS holders. It's nice to see what's where just by scanning the top of the box without having to pull them all out.
Clear slabs are my preference, thus PCGS & CACG. White NGC slabs, especially with prongs irritate my eye. Love the old white ANACs slabs though!
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PCGS has the most appealing holder. The fact that they can be polished easily is another bonus.
The small white ANACS holders were the best. Nothing will ever compete with them. Perfection, right out of the gate.
Dave
Agree. At the time that the small ANACS slabs were being used, it was large enough to house every US coin type ever made with the exception of the gold $50 Pan-Pac commemorative. They were 2" wide and would fit in any box made for 2"X2" flips or cardboard staple holders and they took up far less room in a safe deposit box.
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They are good for protection because medals are very prone to edge bumps, but they are awful for exhibits because they take up so much room in the display case.
No real preference, but I like them better what they aren’t beat up too bad. The reason I don’t have a real preference is once I have an acceptable photograph of my slabbed coins, I rarely look at the actual coins in my safety deposit boxes and look at the pictures instead. I don’t like the prongs as much because the prongs block part of the coins, I’m not really into looking at the edges too much other than to look for problems when I first buy the coins.
Mr_Spud
Aha, got it. I was thinking more for the home or office. I have a few displayed on shelves in my study/library. Nice to enjoy them as art on a daily basis.
For coins without edge enhancements I prefer the soapbox(SWH) ANACS holders, for edge engraving any holder allowing viewing of the edges.
Jim
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This is how I use the baggies and solve the storage box sorting ... I put a label on the top each slab bag.
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I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
The OGH is one of my favorites.
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The "J" number on the label refers to an inventory entry in a spreadsheet, I assume?
Thanks for asking
J = Judd , corresponds to the type of pattern using the Judd Number System - the standard for US patterns nomenclature. Reference numbers correspond to those used in the "United States Pattern Coins" by J. Hewitt Judd. Without the J the numbers after the J could otherwise be confused with the alternative descriptors use by Pollock which has a different numbering alignment to the same type of pattern. That alternative correspond is sequence by Andrew Pollock in his reference book "United States Patterns and Related Issues".
I guess I could easily drop the J as I know that TPG slabs reference back to Judd.
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
I wake up with a Good Attitude Every Day. Then … Idiots Happen!
I have slabs from the 5 TPG accepted by ebay. Mainly PCGS, NGC, CACG. The new CAC storage boxes can take any of the 5 TPG. Works for me.
Interesting. I know nothing about patterns, but I just learned a small tidbit!