For people who are just beginning to invest in coins or precious metals, the term “slabbing” can sound as though it describes a step performed during coin production at the mint. It does not. It describes a coin that has been professionally certified. When this article was originally published, anyone planning to buy or sell rare coins was encouraged to understand the potential benefits of choosing slabbed coins.
The Slabbing Process
A coin sent to a professional grading company for certification is reviewed by specialists, who examine it and assign it a grade based on several factors. Once the coin has been authenticated, it is sonically sealed inside a clear “slab”, or holder. That holder records key details, including the coin’s type, grade, variety, mint mark, and information identifying the independent grading service. A slab is designed as a permanent home for the coin, and after sealing, it is generally hard to alter without evidence of tampering. The original article identified Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) as the two leading independent grading services. At the time of publication, each organization’s website allowed users to enter a coin’s serial or certification number; when the number was correct, the result provided coin details as well as photographs. This offered another way to check the authenticity of a slabbed coin.
Slabbed Coins vs. Raw Coins
In addition to selecting coins made from gold, silver, or another precious metal, collectors must decide whether to purchase “raw” or slabbed pieces. A slabbed, or certified, coin has been authenticated and graded by a recognized independent service, such as PCGS or NGC. Both slabbed and raw coins may be kept in different kinds of protective cases. The distinction is that a raw coin is not enclosed in a sealed holder carrying a professionally verified grade from a grading service.
What Are the Advantages of Slabbed Coins?
Having coins slabbed involves a cost, but the original article noted several clear advantages for investors and collectors. A sealed holder can help protect a coin from ordinary handling damage, normal wear, and accidents such as dropping it. That protection is not absolute: silver and copper coins can still suffer toning damage when the holder is not airtight. Certified coins can also give collectors greater confidence in a coin’s authenticity and resale value. When this article was originally published, that assurance could reduce the amount of additional inspection needed when selling a coin to a dealer. Certification also limits subjectivity about grade and, therefore, the coin’s value. Two people commonly may reach different conclusions about the grade of a coin that has not been professionally certified.
When this article was originally published, investors in coins and bullion were advised to understand ways to verify and preserve the value of a collection. At that time, Atlanta Gold & Coin Buyers reported extensive experience with selling and appraising rare coins and bullion. The original article described the dealer as committed to transparent customer service and competitive rates for buying and selling coins. At publication, readers were invited to use the Fill out our online form to request an appointment at an Atlanta office.
