Should you buy slabbed coins or not?
Slabbed coins are a comparatively new invention to coin collecting.
Quite a few slabbed coins are offered for sale on E-Bid.
Legitimate dealers submit coins to specialist firms who examine the coin verify that it is genuine and grade it.
The coin is then secured in a plastic slab to protect if from decay.
The coin has a certficate with it's grading and authenticity so you can be sure that it is not counterfeit although no doubt counterfeiters will soon be producing counterfeit slabbed coins!
The debate amongst coin collectors is that while it is satisfying to have a genuine coin that will not decay or need protection many collectors miss the thrill of actually being able to touch a real coin.
The choice is yours although I suspect that slabbed coins are here to stay.
I hope that this will help buyers new to coin collecting.
Peter
Re: Just the FACTS please.
Inclined to agree that 3rd party grading is of dubious added value in and of itself. For whatever reason, it seems most collectors have become much more enamored with the slabs grade than with the implied statement of authenticity that the grading services provide. At least for me, I consider my own opionion of a coins state of preservation to be far more important than what some hack in a grading room thinks. But I will admit in a heart beat that the grading services are generally more reliable at authenticating coins than I am. That's not to say I can not identify a counterfeit coin on my own, but especially struck counterfeit coins that are highly deceptive; --the 3rd party graders truly earn their fees just being able to identify these.
Counterfeit "Top Tier" TPG Slabs
Quote:
Originally Posted by
TiasTreasures
"What you fail to mention is the guarantee that the top-tier grading companies, such as PCGS and NGC, back their grading with a money guarantee. Once a coin is encapsulated by one of these companies, they guarantee the owner of that coin the current market value for the grade if upon verification that they have indeed encapsulated a counterfeit coin."
Will these companies honor their guarantee if the slab itself is counterfeit? Please see my original post regarding counterfeits being manufactured in China. I do think Coin World Magazine is recognized as a reputable source of information regarding coins.
It isn't enough to recognize a counterfeit coin anymore, we also have to be able to recognize a counterfeit slab and certificate of authenticity.
I believe that "TexasJack" was correct in his statements concerning the possibility of the "Top Tier" TPG encapsulating a counterfeit coin, and their quality of guarantee if this should happen. From my experience, it is highly unlikely that these firms would "slab" a counterfeit coin, and I'm certain that they would honor their guarantee, inasmuch as the possibility of this condition is very remote.
Having many years experience handling high value coins, I've purchased coins of questionable manufacture, and reviewed same with Numismatic appraiser associates, none of us being able to properly substantiate authenticity. One coin being a 1909 Gold $20 Double Eagle, seemingly meeting all the criteria for a MS67 grade, but didn't have adequate "bag rub" or "marks" which were normally viewed on a coin of this type/vintage. Upon submission, the coin was returned without comment other than unable to certify.
I believe that legally you'll find that the TPG have no responsibility in authenticating or guarantying coins housed in questionable holders, and likely would return as unable to authenticate, rather than proceed with legally mandated confiscation, which potentially may create liability complications.
I suggest that "Caveat Emptor" is the prevalent axiom or principle in commerce today.
RICH