The Official NGC 3.0 Holder Census Thread Updated April 24, 2026

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TomB
TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

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.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1M99ewRxUR7yx12oBGdZWY_CBEy68LbyidRjc0BjfumU/edit?gid=1610711654#gid=1610711654

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-

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1122503/the-official-ngc-3-0-holder-identification-history-and-information-thread

Thank you!

Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

image

Comments

  • AZDAVY
    AZDAVY Posts: 179 ✭✭✭✭
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    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!

  • pcgscacgold
    pcgscacgold Posts: 3,827 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    Completed All CAC approved Classic Head $5 set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/344241
    CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572

  • DelawareDoons
    DelawareDoons Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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."

  • JimW
    JimW Posts: 617 ✭✭✭✭
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    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

  • 86Saab
    86Saab Posts: 237 ✭✭✭✭
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    @VTJedi I've updated the census with yours. Absolutely beautiful group, I especially love that Trade $!

  • 86Saab
    86Saab Posts: 237 ✭✭✭✭
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    @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

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @ksuscott I love it!

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • GuzziSport
    GuzziSport Posts: 604 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I think these qualify?


    Other passions include golf, Moto Guzzi motorcycles, and Euro motorcycles in general.
    Chris

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @GuzziSport said:
    I think these qualify?


    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.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • JimW
    JimW Posts: 617 ✭✭✭✭
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    @86Saab said:
    @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

    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

  • 86Saab
    86Saab Posts: 237 ✭✭✭✭
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    @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.

  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @JimW said:

    @86Saab said:
    @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

    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.

    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.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Holy Cow! What a gorgeous 1800 DBD!

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fantastic!

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • 56morgan
    56morgan Posts: 63 ✭✭✭
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    Thank you both for this incredible information archive. Here is an early certification numbered slab.

  • oldglorycoins
    oldglorycoins Posts: 305 ✭✭✭
    edited April 27, 2026 7:21PM
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    Here's a few more!
    e

    Micah Langford - https://www.oldglorycoinsandcurrency.com/

  • DelawareDoons
    DelawareDoons Posts: 3,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Coinbert said:
    I have two 3.0's.

    Is this the one that was on eBay a couple years ago?

    "It's like God, Family, Country, except Sticker, Plastic, Coin."

  • Luxor
    Luxor Posts: 594 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    -

    Your hobby is supposed to be your therapy, not the reason you need it.

  • Whit
    Whit Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
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    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


    Whit
  • TomB
    TomB Posts: 23,185 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • Whit
    Whit Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
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    To TomB: Good info; thank you. I'll check next time I'm at the bank.
    Whit

    Whit
  • pcgscacgold
    pcgscacgold Posts: 3,827 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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 :wink:

    Completed All CAC approved Classic Head $5 set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/344241
    CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572

  • coinbuf
    coinbuf Posts: 12,564 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    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 Lincoln Registry
    My Collection of Old Holders

    Never a slave to one plastic brand will I ever be.
  • Coinbert
    Coinbert Posts: 761 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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.

  • TorinoCobra71
    TorinoCobra71 Posts: 8,108 ✭✭✭
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    is this NGC 3.0?


    image
  • pcgscacgold
    pcgscacgold Posts: 3,827 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @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.

    Completed All CAC approved Classic Head $5 set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/mysetregistry/album/344241
    CBH Set https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-capped-bust-half-dollars-1807-1839/album/345572

  • Meltdown
    Meltdown Posts: 9,283 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Here's my new Indian if you'd like to add to the census.

  • NotSure
    NotSure Posts: 3,065 ✭✭✭
    edited May 1, 2026 4:15PM
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    Had this for a good long while, I'm certain it hasn't shown up on any other list for these. Just throwing it out there....I'll try for better images, it does look much better in hand


    I'll come up with something.
  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @TorinoCobra71 said:
    is this NGC 3.0?


    I think its the younger sibling (sorta speaks)

  • Whit
    Whit Posts: 375 ✭✭✭
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    Hi folks; Here are a couple of Franklins for the census.

    1956


    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .

    1957

    Whit
  • 86Saab
    86Saab Posts: 237 ✭✭✭✭
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    @Whit Love those gen 3 Franklins! Let me know if you ever want to part with them.

  • AZDAVY
    AZDAVY Posts: 179 ✭✭✭✭
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    Add this not seen on the list 1936 bridge port. Might be ugly but still a 3.0😀

  • Alabamaman1969
    Alabamaman1969 Posts: 2 ✭
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    Here are a few of mine that aren't in the database

  • 86Saab
    86Saab Posts: 237 ✭✭✭✭
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    @Alabamaman1969 Thanks! Census updated.

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