Coin slab

Coin slab is a type of holder for a coin. Slabbed coins are typically from one of the coin grading companies. The practice of sending coins to third-party grading companies and then "slabbing" them began in 1986.

Graded Morgan dollars within a variety of coin slabs

When a grading company grades the coin it is sealed in a tamper proof slab with a barcode and a hologram. To prevent counterfeiting, holograms were attached to the graded coin slabs beginning in 1989. The early coin slabs did not have a hologram.

History

 

Reverse of PCGS coin slab with hologram in upper right corner

Slabbing coins is a practice which began in 1986. It was a way to remove coin grading controversies by having a third party certify the coin's condition.^[1] There are major coin certification companies that encapsulate coins in an acrylic case after grading the coin. Companies like ANACS, Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), International Coin Certification Service and CAC accept coins which they grade, certify and then slab. Collectors rely on these third party grading companies to certify coins.^[2] After the coins are reviewed and certified a holographic label is attached to the slab.^[3][4] The earliest coins that were slabbed by the major coin grading companies did not have holograms. PCGS began adding a hologram to the reverse of their holders in 1989.^[5] NGC began adding a hologram to their coin slabs in 1990.^[6]

Counterfeit slabs

Counterfeiters have duplicated some slabs from major grading companies. In 2023, CoinWeek reported counterfeit 1881 CC Morgan dollar “PCGS” slabs.^[7][8] In 2018, Coin World numismatic magazine reported that counterfeit PCGS slabs complete with holograms were being sold on the website AliExpress. They reported that the real slabs are "sonically sealed" but fake slabs snap together.^[9] The magazine also reported the discovery of a fake South African gold Krugerrand which was in a counterfeit NGC slab with a hologram.^[10]

References

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coin slabs.

1. Travers, Scott A. (2023). "The Ten Greatest Myths of Slabbed Coins". Scott Travers Rare Coin Gallery LLC. from the original on 4 June 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
2. Thorne, Mike (21 March 2023). "How Do You Feel About Coin Certification?". Numismatic News. from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
3. Maier, Larry B.; Stahl, Joseph W. (2008). Identification Discs of Union Soldiers in the Civil War. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 149. ISBN 9780786452132. from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
4. McGuire, Shayne (2008). Buy Gold Now. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. p. 178. ISBN 9780470268001. from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
5. "Museum of Coin Holders". PCGS. Collectors Universe. from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
6. "Evolution of the NGC Holder". NGC Coin. Numismatic Guaranty Company. from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
7. Young, Jack D. (16 January 2023). "An Epidemic of Counterfeit 1881-CC Morgans and Bad "PCGS" Slabs". Coin Week. from the original on 21 July 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
8. "ACEF reports fakers using same slab numbers multiple times". Canadian Coin News. 5 April 2023. from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
9. Gilkes, Paul (2 August 2018). "Chinese starter kit for fake PCGS holders". Coin World. from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
10. Starck, Jeff (13 November 2015). "California dealer discovers fake Krugerrand in fake holder". Coin World. from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.