The Official NGC 3.0 Holder Census Thread Updated April 24, 2026
TomB
Posts: 22,886 ✭✭✭✭✭
PCGS forum member @86Saab has built and expanded a fabulous database of observed NGC 3.0 holders and the coins in them. As of the date this thread started there are 2,598 NGC 3.0 slabs recorded and the database also includes quite a few NGC 4.0 coins, as well. A Google Docs spreadsheet is linked below in view-only format for those who would like to see what has been observed thus far.
What is the NGC 3.0 holder?
Using the slab numbering system for regular production slabs made popular through the work of Conder101, the NGC 3.0 holder was the first holder offered by NGC that paired the previously used gold embossed reverse NGC logo with a new obverse paper insert that incorporated the NGC scales logo. All known NGC 3.0 holders have the embossed reverse logo done on the outer side of the slab plastic such that the embossing can be felt with the fingers while the obverse side paper insert has been seen with ink color ranging anywhere from a brown-grey through a rather vivid lime green.
Images of four NGC 3.0 holders are shown below. The first pair of images is a comparison of the obverse from two slabs. The Roosevelt dime has the more commonly found brown-grey ink while the Mercury dime has the lass frequently seen vivid lime green ink. The second pair of images is a comparison of how the raised embossed logo might appear. The Washington quarter has a sharply raised embossed logo in deep gold while the Franklin half has a less vivid embossed logo in lighter gold.
The difference in ink color has been attributed to ink degradation in combination with lot-to-lot variation in the stability of the ink used during insert printing. This has been confirmed in direct conversation with John Albanese, founder of NGC as well as CAC and CACG. The variation in embossing depth and color on the reverse appears to be due to wear as the upper reverse was a common area for dealer stickers and price codes to be placed and the removal of stickers as well as residual glue from them appears to have affected some slabs more than others.
So, all NGC 3.0 holders have a raised gold embossed NGC logo on the reverse paired with a paper insert incorporating the NGC scales logo on the obverse.
We would like your help. If you have NGC 3.0 slabbed coins in your collection, or you see one online for sale or at auction, we would love to add them to the database. Optimally, you can provide obverse and reverse slab shots with the coin inside and place them within this thread. It is important for us to be able to read the paper insert in the slab in order to add the certification information to the database.
Another thread that details the production window and likely numbers of NGC 3.0 slabs produced is linked below-
Thank you!
Comments
Unbelievable the work that was put into that spreadsheet! Amazing. The couple I have are listed. Quite interesting I thought there would be a lot more than listed. My favorite holder!
This is great. I will check things out this weekend when I get back from Central States. The NGC Gen 3.0's are very hard to find with CAC stickers. I actually have more NGC 2.0/2.1 slabs than 3.0's.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Thanks @TomB for the post and for sharing my database of the Gen 3.0.
It is important to note that I started this census of Gen 3.0's in 2019 and I search though 1000's of listings online everyday. Of course, I am going to miss some along the way but I am also surprised at how few have been added over the years.
Great work. NGC 3.0 holders are scarce, and lovely to boot. They CAC at extraordinary rates. I do wonder if JA finalized the higher end pieces himself and a little home cooking always hits the spot. But that's just me speculating.
You already have mine in your database thanks to reaching out directly. I'll be watching.
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
I have a green ink Merc with Gold CAC. I will check the spreadsheet later today.
Successful BST Transactions: erwindoc, VTchaser, moursund, robkool, RelicKING, Herb_T, Meltdown, ElmerFusterpuck, airplanenut
Here are my 11. The only one on your spreadsheet is the Morgan, which is erroneously listed as a gen 4 and was added pre-CAC (it's now gold CAC).
Great idea and effort!
Here’s one that probably isn’t on the list as it hasn’t seen the light of day in 20 years:
I’m not sure about this one, as it’s in the SDB, along with some others, that I’ll need to check someday.
@VTJedi I've updated the census with yours. Absolutely beautiful group, I especially love that Trade $!
@Walkerguy21D I've added your gen 3.0 as well. The other one is not a gen 3.0. Gen 3.0 only exists within cert ranges 121xxx-137xxx & 200xxx-210xxx
Here's a fun one, an encapsulation error!
@ksuscott I love it!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
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
It's interesting how CAC was able to make their determination with some of the reverse obscured.
Neat "error" on NGC's part!
I think these qualify?
Other passions include golf, Moto Guzzi motorcycles, and Euro motorcycles in general.
Chris
They look like they are both later than the NGC 3.0 given their cert numbers. They must have the gold embossed logo on the reverse. If it is there then they are NGC 3.0, but if it is not there then they are not NGC 3.0. However, the cert numbers from each coin are not in known cert ranges for NGC 3.0 holders.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Is it safe to say not all coins in this range are 3.0? I have a 206 but does not have the embossed reverse.
Successful BST Transactions: erwindoc, VTchaser, moursund, robkool, RelicKING, Herb_T, Meltdown, ElmerFusterpuck, airplanenut
@JimW You are correct. There are gen 4's mixed within those ranges as well, in fact most of the 200xxx-210xxx are gen 4's. I assume that batch of pre-printed submission forms came out not long before they discontinued the gen 3.
As @86Saab has already mentioned, you are correct to realize that not all coins within the given cert range would be in NGC 3.0 holders. During this period of time the NGC submission forms were pre-printed and dealers might have stacks of forms, and since the NGC cert number is tied to the submission form number, the coins returned from NGC did not follow a linear or sequential sequence since dealers might use any numbered form at any time for submission.
One thing I wonder about is how many coins were removed from NGC 3.0 holders and put into new NGC 4.0 hologram holders when they were introduced. Multiple articles in COINage and Coin World reference the option to have previously certified coins re-certified for a small fee and I wonder if they kept their original certification number upon receiving an NGC 4.0 slab.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
I have two 3.0's.
Holy Cow! What a gorgeous 1800 DBD!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Here's a few not listed in the database.
Wall of HONOR transaction list:WonderCoin, CoinFlip, Masscrew, Travintiques, lordmarcovan, Jinx86, Gerard, ElKevvo, PROMETHIUSS88.
Few more,
Wall of HONOR transaction list:WonderCoin, CoinFlip, Masscrew, Travintiques, lordmarcovan, Jinx86, Gerard, ElKevvo, PROMETHIUSS88.
Few more,
Wall of HONOR transaction list:WonderCoin, CoinFlip, Masscrew, Travintiques, lordmarcovan, Jinx86, Gerard, ElKevvo, PROMETHIUSS88.
And a few more,
Wall of HONOR transaction list:WonderCoin, CoinFlip, Masscrew, Travintiques, lordmarcovan, Jinx86, Gerard, ElKevvo, PROMETHIUSS88.
Fantastic!
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Thank you both for this incredible information archive. Here is an early certification numbered slab.
Here's a few more!
e
Micah Langford - https://www.oldglorycoinsandcurrency.com/
Is this the one that was on eBay a couple years ago?
"It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."
Found this one on GC, it sells May 3, nice coin.
Excellent thread! I have a whole box or so of these holders somewhere as these and the old PCGS two piece holders were my favorites.
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Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.
Good evening, all. Apologies for the poor quality and lack of reverse shots. I took these photos not for show and tell, but as a record of what I have in my sdb. I slabbed the nickel myself a long time ago, and had it beaned at a Coinfest. (So sad Coinfest did not last.)
Whit
The Franklin half dollars might be NGC 3.0 coins, but without reverse embossed logo confirmation we just don't know. The Buffalo nickel though isn't an NGC 3.0 (most likely anyway) as that cert range has not been found on 3.0 holders, it is likely an NGC 4.0.
I remember Coinfest too and it was terrific to be able to have CAC look at things for the one or two years they did it.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Great thread and a big thanks to @86Saab for all the efforts. This is my list of all 3.0's - all gold CAC commems:
I will cross-check the sheet when time permits but I wanted to share.
Tim
To TomB: Good info; thank you. I'll check next time I'm at the bank.
Whit
@pointfivezero , it probably doesn't show but I clicked "Like" 23 times. Once for each of your coins.
It's a good thing that you have an odd number of coins or it would look like I don't "Like" that listing
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
I have three NGC gen3 holders not currently in the census. None have been to CAC, I suspect only the Morgan would receive a bean.
1900 Morgan, bought 2005 from the PCGS BST
1909 IHC, bought 2013 from Heritage auction sadly the rev was already damaged at the time I bought it
1930-D Lincoln, bought in 1999 but do not recall from where, might have been a teletrade buy.
My Collection of Old Holders
Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
@DelewareDoons. Yes, I think I saw it first on Ebay. Had my dealer ok the coin and then purchased. The James Stack 1800 62+ dollar made this one look like a bargain.
is this NGC 3.0?
@TorinoCobra71 No, that is not at Gen 3.0. The Hologram is the give away. A 3.0 is gold embossed printing on the back of slab.
Successful BST with drddm, BustDMs, Pnies20, lkeigwin, pursuitofliberty, Bullsitter, felinfoel, SPalladino
$5 Type Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/u-s-coins/type-sets/half-eagle-type-set-circulation-strikes-1795-1929/album/344192
CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572
Here's my new Indian if you'd like to add to the census.
