Green Label Hallmark slabs

coolkarma · November 3, 2005 2:59PM

Back in 1991 I bought 5 Buffalo nickels in Hallmark slabs. As I recall, this was shortly after they called it quits. At some point the business was sold to PCI, and they produced their green label slabs. In any case, I cracked out and submitted three of the Buffalos to PCGS and the results were posted today.

1929 PCGS MS62 (Hallmark MS63, I thought it was a 63+, I'll take another look)
1929-d PCGS MS63 (Hallmark MS63, it has some "pickling" on the surface so I was concerned it might not grade)
1934-d PCGS MS64 (Hallmark MS64, I thought it was a 64-)

I'm happy with the results which will move my set up to number 16

here

CoolKarma

pursuitofliberty · November 3, 2005 3:17PM

Hallmark had some good stuff ... actually I think QDB was involved in some way, although I may be wrong. I'm sure some of the slab experts know more than I do.

My recollection is that they were pretty tight with their grading, which many of us appreciated. In fact, I think I still have a few I freed that were at least as good as the grade they had assigned. I'd have to look though old notes though to see if I graded any of them ... they're probably all still raw again.

bestclser1 · November 3, 2005 3:27PM

Best upgrade i ever had was an 80CC MS64PL Morgan to PCGS MS65DMPL.Big bucks in 1990 or so.Paid about 650,was offered 10K which i immediately took.

astrorat · November 3, 2005 10:06PM

You cracked out coins from Hallmark slabs to submit to PCGS? For shame! Destroying a classic slab for modern plastic . . . oh, the humanity!

Lane

kieferscoins · November 3, 2005 10:13PM

<< You cracked out coins from Hallmark slabs to submit to PCGS? For shame! Destroying a classic slab for modern plastic . . . oh, the humanity!

Lane >>

Amen! PS: All hallmark slabs had a green label.

Cameron Kiefer

Heywood · November 3, 2005 10:50PM

I have some Halmark Franklins, but everyone tells me even if they crossed, they are worth more as is>

oreville · November 3, 2005 10:52PM

coolkarma: That was a mistake. Those Hallmark slabs are starting to sell for a slight premium. In time the premium will grow.

Heck, I would have paid you a premium for those coins in a Hallmark slab versus where they are now.

You gotta think green! It is good for the environment!

bestclser1 · November 3, 2005 11:43PM

Back in 1990 i didnt know any better.Heck the profit made it almost worthwhile though.

Wolf359 · November 3, 2005 11:53PM

I picked up a cheap 1972/72 Lincoln in Hallmark 64Red that crossed easily to PCGS at the same grade.
Hallmark slabs may be getting premiums, but it's still worth somewhat more in a PCGS holder.

coolkarma · November 4, 2005 2:31PM

My apologies for breaking them out of the Hallmark slabs, but it was in the best interest of at least three of the coins, in my opinion. They were showing signs of "damage". One cleaned up nicely (acetone and isopropyl alcohol is about all I'll use), one I was unsure of (the 1929-d) but seems to have come out ok, and a third needs to go to NCS (some foreign matter that neither acetone nor isopropyl seems to dissolve). Unfortunately, it likely will go from a Hallmark MS64 to a PCGS AU58 if it will grade.

On the bright side, I still have a 1924 Peace dollar in a Hallmark MS63 holder. It looks clean

CoolKarma

astrorat · November 4, 2005 10:41PM

<< On the bright side, I still have a 1924 Peace dollar in a Hallmark MS63 holder. It looks clean

CoolKarma >>

Okay, now back away from the hammer, set the slab down and . . . sell it to me!

Lane

roadrunner · November 4, 2005 11:28PM

The few Hallmark coins that I had left from the 1990 error were very marginal and I was lucky to suffer only small losses when selling them a few years ago. I've never run into a Hallmark type coin since 1990 that was real nice for the grade, never mind upgrade. When Hallmark was grading in the late 1980's or early 1990's, their coins were a small notch below PCGS and NGC in quality. I NEVER ran into one that was worthy of a crackout back then. I think that sums it up pretty well. Maybe I just had bad luck....or there were so few of them overall. Many went to Teletrade for a few years.

roadrunner

Russ · November 5, 2005 2:00AM

<< Back in 1990 i didnt know any better.Heck the profit made it almost worthwhile though. >>

For a $10K return on a $650 investment I'm afraid I'd have to say "screw saving the classic slab!"

Russ, NCNE

astrorat · November 5, 2005 8:05AM

<< 

<< Back in 1990 i didnt know any better.Heck the profit made it almost worthwhile though. >>

For a $10K return on a $650 investment I'm afraid I'd have to say "screw saving the classic slab!"

Russ, NCNE >>

Okay, even I would sacrifice a classic slab for that!

Lane

Conder101 · November 5, 2005 11:22AM

<< Hallmark had some good stuff ... actually I think QDB was involved in some way, although I may be wrong. I'm sure some of the slab experts know more than I do. >>

You are correct, QDB was one of the co-owners.

Green Label Hallmark slabs

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