What does it mean to have a coin slabbed?

Slabbed coins, in coin-collecting terminology, refers to coins sealed in clear plastic containers bearing the opinions of professionals working at a coin-grading service relating to authenticity and condition. Slabbed coins are highly sought after and often controversial.

How much does it cost to slab a coin?

The primary disadvantage of having your coins slabbed is the cost. Costs range from $10 to $30, or more, to submit a coin to a third-party professional coin grading service. But the value that you receive back can be priceless.

How do you authenticate a coin?

Use a service like the PCGS or NGC. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are third-party certification and grading services. Both of these services consistently grade, authenticate, certify, and seal (in a protective display) coins for a small fee.

What are the different grades of coins?

In 1978, the American Numismatic Association published the Official A.N.A. Grading System for United States Coins. It established grading tiers of, in descending order of preservation, Mint State, About Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good and About Good.

Are slabbed coins worth it?

It’s entirely possible that an unslabbed coin is of sufficient quality to be slabbed — or, more importantly, to be worth purchasing. My recommendation is if you are confident that a coin is truly all it seems to be, then you can feel good about buying it raw.

Is it worth getting coins graded?

In nearly all situations, key date coins in uncirculated condition are worth having professionally graded; especially if you have multiple coins to submit. This will help to reduce the price that you pay per coin, when factoring in shipping and insurance expenses.

What does it mean when a coin is encapsulated?

The coin is protected by a rigid inert plastic shell that is sonically sealed to provide a virtually airtight environment. ~: One that has been sealed in a plastic holder, especially by a third party grading service. The encapsulation is usually called by its nickname, “slab”.

How are uncirculated coins different from other coins?

The US Mint differentiates uncirculated coins by “the special coining process used to make the coin, which gives it a brilliant finish…with quality enhancements such as slightly higher coining force, early strikes from dies, special cleaning after stamping and special packaging.

When did uncirculated coins start to be graded?

uncirculated – when the features of the coin were sharp and the luster approaching the state of a new coin at the mint. As the collector market for coins grew rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it became apparent that a more precise grading standard was needed.

What do you need to know about collecting coins?

Encapsulated Coins are coins that have been graded by a grading service and placed in a tamper-proof plastic holder or “slab” with an identification sticker. Most grading services use the official ANA Grading Standards. 4: Know three different ways to store a collection, and describe the benefits, drawbacks and expense of each of these methods.