[QA] What is the difference between a regular coin and a slabbed one?

S

Suckering Suckertash

New Member
Hey guys, this forum has been very informative for me as I am new to coins.

I just wanted to ask everyone what the difference is between a regular coin (e.g. in a capsule) as opposed to a coin slab.
Why is it that Pandas in coin slabs command such a high premium?

And what exactly are the judging criterion for coin slabs. All I know is that the higher the 'MS' value the better. But what determines this value?
 
Welcome Suckering Suckertash!

A regular coin is the normal bullion coin that comes in the normal airtite capsule.

A graded (NGC/PCGS) coin comes in a slab that usually cannot be opened.

Graded coins should sell for at least $25 more than regular coins, because that's how much it usually costs to get them graded (and slabbed), not including additional postage costs (to NGC/PCGS, and then back to you).

Judging criterion is extensive. A perfect coin (Mint State 70) is one that is flawless, but as MatrixOpals once put it, nothing really beats a good 69. 68s are also pretty good in my view.

The graders look for obvious defects like fingering, scratching, dents, dings, etc.
 
Thanks a lot Yennus.

How is it that coins that are freshly minted and uncirculated have any flaws?

I would've thought that all uncirculated coins are in perfect conditions.

Is it just a matter of chance that some minted coins are better than others?
 
Hi SS,

Your best to have a look at NGC & PCGS websites, they actually go into detail about grading and the process.

Also they will tell you how many have been graded at MS 65 -70, if your looking at Pandas, it would be best to subscribe to Peter Anthony (Pandacollector) Pandapedia, this will give you monthly updates on what recent sales have been in the US/ Chinese market.

Also the main guys to talk to on here would be Yennus, Fishball, Musemellow, Zinger & Maggie if your chasing certain Panda coins or other chinese collectables, these guys have been most helpful since i started collecting 6mths ago and have helped me immensely in tracking down coins and great group buying action.

PS. Almost completed >2000 MS69 standard set, just need 2000 Mirror, 2001, 2001-D & 2002 to finish, now working on <2000 set, I have the 1990 & 94 LD so far :)
 
Suckering Suckertash said:
Thanks a lot Yennus.

How is it that coins that are freshly minted and uncirculated have any flaws?

I would've thought that all uncirculated coins are in perfect conditions.

Is it just a matter of chance that some minted coins are better than others?
Click to expand...

Hi Suckering Suckertash, you're welcome.

Coins that are freshly minted and uncirculated often do have noticeable differences under 10x magnification to each other.

Especially when we take into consideration, dreaded things like milkspots.

A milkspot will now ruin your MS70 to a MS68 or even lower - even with a perfect strike.

I think I have viewed under close scrutiny more than 1000 individual 1oz 2011 Silver Pandas, and after a while you realize that a perfect coin is hard to find. Even if uncirculated and freshly minted.
 
"A milkspot will now ruin your MS70 to a MS68 or even lower - even with a perfect strike."

Did I not read somewhere that milkspots are NOT taken into consideration for grading?
 
What happens you have a graded coin MS70 and in a few years a milk spot or bit of toning develops.

Can one still resell the coin described as MS70 as that is what it is slabbed as?
 
Yes, but how much you can sell it for, or whether you can get a buyer is another question.
 
Which begs the question... Can conservation really protect a coin from developing whitespots?

If so, is it worth conserving your coins?
 
I actually have an MS70 2010 panda which seems to have gotten brown spots on!

I have just contacted PCGS to find out about their guarantee.
 
There are also rumors that PCGS hired a rouge grader who put MS64 coins into MS66 holders and flipped them for massive profits :P
 
NCS does the conservation, and they do conserve gold. Generally speaking, gold coins have fewer problems than silver coins because gold is so much less reactive than silver. However, gold coins do benefit from the conservation process. By removing the film of residue from the minting process, the gold coins look much better. Also conservation can usually remove/prevent red copper spots.
 
Lim said:
Does ngc conserve gold ?
Is there a need to do so ?
Click to expand...

I will send my first gold coin 1987y 1/10 with green residue to ncs and ngc. When i have the grade i will post here if the coin have good grading. I purchase it from a ss member actually missing in action.
 
fishball said:
There are also rumors that PCGS hired a rouge grader who put MS64 coins into MS66 holders and flipped them for massive profits :P
Click to expand...

I think I've been wasting some Pandas... flipping the MS68s alongside my MS64-67s.

How did this rogue trade make those massive profits? :) Tell me more :)
 
yennus said:
fishball said:
There are also rumors that PCGS hired a rouge grader who put MS64 coins into MS66 holders and flipped them for massive profits :P
Click to expand...

I think I've been wasting some Pandas... flipping the MS68s alongside my MS64-67s.

How did this rogue trade make those massive profits? :) Tell me more :)
Click to expand...

He bought imperial graded coins at cheap prices ~$1000 (MS64) and reslabbed them as MS66 (~$20000) and sold them.

For imperial coins the difference in price between a 65 and 66 is massive, let alone a 66 and 64. I think the coin in question netted the rouge grader at least 5 figures in profit.

My numbers might be a bit off (or way off), Low is better at understanding & pricing imperial coins than I am :).

Buy:

1463_ms64fatman.jpg


Sell:

1463_ms66fatman2.jpg


Profit!!!!!

This one too:

Buy:

1463_pcgs64fatman1.jpg


1463_pcgs64fatman2.jpg


Sell:

1463_pcgs66fatman.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top