Sometimes both. when I was looking to buy the 5oz commemorative I was looking for the highest grade, but I also wanted the foot print on the moon label because it complimented the anniversary of Apollo 11 and the first walk on the moon.
I thought it worked awesome.
The. coin is first; the label is second because that has something to do either with the price. If coin does not please me, I’m out no matter what the label says. The sticker is a so what, and mostly comes along for the ride.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
I guess my answer varies. I look at coins first and formost. I want attractive coins and no amount of window dressing can overcome an ugly coin. I look for varieties, sometime I find coins allready identified ; sometimes I cherrypick and must get information added. I have a preference for coins that are allready in slabs and it is a rare day I actually have a coin reslabbed for any reason. not sure if i am answering the question though. james
I always judge the coin my self and could care less about the holder when grading the coin. That said when I analysis the value and opportunity of said purchase the holder comes into its own review when gauging price and liquidity
I still buy raw coins... mostly early copper, so I'm constantly weighing the appearance of the coin and (perceived) grade, with the price. As far as I'm concerned, the coin is the coin and any label or sticker is just another's opinion, albeit one that affects price. If my assessment aligns with what's on the label... then the wallet opens and the cherubs sing and there's a sale.
That said, and now that I'm venturing into the last few more expensive pieces required to complete sets, I'm less inclined to buy raw... especially for a Type piece that may be heavily counterfeited. My default here is to first search for slabbed material... PCGS with TV, PCGS + CAC, NGC + CAC, CAC... then, I look for the grade I want. After I find something, I research the seller! If it's an ebay seller with zero feedback and selling a $1000+ valued piece with crappy photos... pass! If that checks out and I agree with the label/sticker, then we have wallet opening and cherubic voices... ;-)
Collecting: Dansco 7070; Middle Date Large Cents (VF-AU); Box of 20;
I buy raw coins, coins that happen to be in holders and slabs that happen to have coins in them. I like CAC stickers too. There are different circumstances and great reasons for any approach - collect what you like!
Ive had to learn to buy the coin first and the holder secondary. I like PL and DMPL Morgans.
The older PCGS and some NGC holders have DMPL graded coins in them that might not even PL. Ive bought a couple of these and I wasn't happy. I hate doing returns but I have had too!
BTW the CAC sticker increases the odds of getting a coin thats graded properly about 99.9% of the time.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP
I don't buy based on the label, but I have bought based on the slab. Not on the physical "slab" as such, but what it represents - a higher (but not perfect) confidence that the coin within the slab is genuine and that the grade is reasonable. I also like the protection that a slab offers to a coin.
I've bought the label (sticker) twice. I put too much faith in the sticker, but the coins turned out to be somewhat disappointing to me. Green stickers still catch my attention because they usually are great looking coins, but I have to like the coin first and now regard stickers and labels as support for my opinion.
Comments
Both.................
That's AWESOME !!
Both
Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value. Zero. Voltaire. Ebay coinbowlllc
Well... This seems like a rhetorical question?
I'm inclined to say "both".
But then again I'm inclined to say "it depends"......

.
That is a beautiful coin!!!
CAC | PCGS | NGC
I'd say the coin gets the first right of refusal
Looking at the coin first then the slab.
That's probably the best representation of HIT and a Miss that I've seen all year
Sometimes both. when I was looking to buy the 5oz commemorative I was looking for the highest grade, but I also wanted the foot print on the moon label because it complimented the anniversary of Apollo 11 and the first walk on the moon.

I thought it worked awesome.
The coin on this one.
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
Both, the coins have to be all PCGS to match. I'll look for PCGS coins in dealers showcases, then look for eye appeal.
Coin…….but tbh I like when the coin comes with a sticker, or my belief that it will earn one.
The. coin is first; the label is second because that has something to do either with the price. If coin does not please me, I’m out no matter what the label says. The sticker is a so what, and mostly comes along for the ride.
I guess my answer varies. I look at coins first and formost. I want attractive coins and no amount of window dressing can overcome an ugly coin. I look for varieties, sometime I find coins allready identified ; sometimes I cherrypick and must get information added. I have a preference for coins that are allready in slabs and it is a rare day I actually have a coin reslabbed for any reason. not sure if i am answering the question though. james
I always judge the coin my self and could care less about the holder when grading the coin. That said when I analysis the value and opportunity of said purchase the holder comes into its own review when gauging price and liquidity
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
I'm in the either or camp. Lately I've been interested in finding both...

Click on this link to see my ebay listings.
Purchase the coin, label is secondary.
Coin is the first priority. But having a cool old slab is really great and easy to resell, as their popularity is skyrocketing.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
This. I’d add that the green or gold sticker that so many scoff at also make resale much easier. Just my opinion.
I still buy raw coins... mostly early copper, so I'm constantly weighing the appearance of the coin and (perceived) grade, with the price. As far as I'm concerned, the coin is the coin and any label or sticker is just another's opinion, albeit one that affects price. If my assessment aligns with what's on the label... then the wallet opens and the cherubs sing and there's a sale.
That said, and now that I'm venturing into the last few more expensive pieces required to complete sets, I'm less inclined to buy raw... especially for a Type piece that may be heavily counterfeited. My default here is to first search for slabbed material... PCGS with TV, PCGS + CAC, NGC + CAC, CAC... then, I look for the grade I want. After I find something, I research the seller! If it's an ebay seller with zero feedback and selling a $1000+ valued piece with crappy photos... pass! If that checks out and I agree with the label/sticker, then we have wallet opening and cherubic voices... ;-)
Successful BST transactions with: SilverEagles92; Ahrensdad; Smitty; GregHansen; Lablade; Mercury10c; copperflopper; whatsup; KISHU1; scrapman1077, crispy, canadanz, smallchange, robkool, Mission16, ranshdow, ibzman350, Fallguy, Collectorcoins, SurfinxHI, jwitten, Walkerguy21D, dsessom.
I use the TPG grade and CAC for filtering and/or validation. The coin must appeal to me at the assigned grade.
I buy raw coins, coins that happen to be in holders and slabs that happen to have coins in them. I like CAC stickers too. There are different circumstances and great reasons for any approach - collect what you like!
the coin
The label doesn't mean a thing to me
SALE AT LINK BELOW
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPbbnJm82OzzexNCcaBmdviChfoqNlwHOqcv0W5
The label and grader are always secondary.
The look of the coin grabs my attention. The label may help close the deal.
USAF veteran 1984-2005
Ive had to learn to buy the coin first and the holder secondary. I like PL and DMPL Morgans.
The older PCGS and some NGC holders have DMPL graded coins in them that might not even PL. Ive bought a couple of these and I wasn't happy. I hate doing returns but I have had too!
BTW the CAC sticker increases the odds of getting a coin thats graded properly about 99.9% of the time.
Student of numismatics and collector of Morgan dollars
Successful BST transactions with: Namvet Justindan Mattniss RWW olah_in_MA
Dantheman984 Toyz4geo SurfinxHI greencopper RWW bigjpst bretsan MWallace logger7 JWP
I don't buy based on the label, but I have bought based on the slab. Not on the physical "slab" as such, but what it represents - a higher (but not perfect) confidence that the coin within the slab is genuine and that the grade is reasonable. I also like the protection that a slab offers to a coin.
I've bought the label (sticker) twice. I put too much faith in the sticker, but the coins turned out to be somewhat disappointing to me. Green stickers still catch my attention because they usually are great looking coins, but I have to like the coin first and now regard stickers and labels as support for my opinion.