Are you looking for examples for your sets in slabs or raw?


I look at both, but almost all my coins in the type set have been purchased raw. I still haven't gotten around to cracking out my early bust half from it's slab. Maybe today I'll free her...

Cracking a Slab!!!!!!!!!!
Why!?

You had to ask Dan?


My coin collection is a numismatic nudist beach.

I will look at both but if I find any in slabs, they will get cracked out. I am about 99% certain that all of mine have been bought raw so far.

Cos it's fun.


Try it and see... it's like undressing a woman, only it's more coiney.

But you still get to use vices and chisels...

I don't find the storage method attractive and it doesn't fit in with the rest of my sets.

Takes up too much space.

If I had to, I would use a coin capsule.

I like to touch my coins.

This hobby for me is more than just viewing something, why deprive yourself of another sense connection to your hobby. It'd be like sucking a toffee with the paper on.

I could give you a whole list of reasons why i like my coins raw.

When I do my type set the coins will be raw. No reason to hide their beauty in a nasty looking case when they can be stored in a nice album.

My entire type set is slabbed for two very practical reasons. The most important reason is that I am not an expert on all types, and feel that I would be at a distinct disadvantage in purchasing raw coins where I don't have enough knowledge of the series, grading, and authentication. For series I collect, like Saints, or Bust Halves, I have no problem purchasing raw coins, but early copper or seated stuff? Forget it! The second very practical reason is so I can display me set in a registry program and share the coins with others. I have a very nice raw set of Roosevelt dimes, but you have to come to my house to see them. This way I can share my type sets with all of you just like this: My Non-Gold US Type Set and My Gold US Type Set.

If I was buying coins that were in a different price range than I do now, I think I would want that extra level of confidence in what I was buying too especially if we are talking MS coins or key dates. There's big difference between buying a coin that is worth the price of a tank of gas and buying one that is worth the price of a car. At least for me there is.

I am not an anti-slabber, I just don't buy much that 'needs' to be in a slab and when I get one, it doesn't 'need' to stay in the slab.

I hear you Stu, and there are as many ways to collect types as there are type set collectors! I know some are collecting holed type coins, others BU, other just nice circulated grades and still others whatever they can afford at the time! I've thought about getting a Dansco type set album and doing a nice circulated set, but I just haven't had the time. Someday I will probably get one and then start looking for those nice raw circulated type coins to fill those holes!

Bad idea! Or at least it is until I am done with mine. There's too much competition around here already!

Well, good idea or bad, I had a descent start until those Katrina auctions! Besides, I would probably look far and wide for my type set additions, just as I do with my slabbed type set, so you would hardly even notice the competition!

I have one that is raw (who would slab a holed coin ) and one that is slabbed (much pricier coins).

Both. I just leave them the way I get them.

All of mine were raw. I sold the whole set a while back, and am going to start again. I'd love to have the money to get it all slabbed, but I'll probably get most raw again.

My type set is raw. I've considered a slabbed typeset but that's for some time in the future.

My type set was raw for many years and, yes, I was guilty of cracking many a slab in my day. But things changed and as my set evolved to include the pricier issues, it became pretty much necessary to include slabbed specimens. At that point, for consistency's sake, I decided to go all slab. I guess it all depends on your collecting goals but having my set slabbed allows me to sell coins quickly for top $$ when I upgrade a particular slot.

I cant afford the slabs haha

Many of the coins in my collection were bought slabbed. Many were bought raw. It makes me no difference one way or the other when buying. They are all raw now, though.



Jim

I choose only PCGS or NGC slabbed coins for several reasons:

1. I have decided to put only MS coins in my set, and certification means that I can be a bit more relaxed about knowing the difference between a MS63 or MS64.

2. They give me more confidence that the eventual selling price will be greater in relation to my purchase price than would be the case for raw coins.

3. They are generally more liquid (easier to sell).

4. Because of #2 and #3, they may ease the stress of liquidation and flatten the learning curve for my heirs.

5. They are much easier to handle and inspect without concern of damage. This is especially true for me since I have essential tremor in my hands.

All my coins have been raw so far. For some of the more costly coins I will buy slabbed coins and crack them out just to be sure they are authentic.