SAMPLE SLABS HAVE GONE MAINSTREAM

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 33, August 18, 2024, Article 28

In his August 2024 Sample Slab Update newsletter #37, David Schwager reported on the growth and mainstreaming of Sample Slab collecting. With permission, we're republishing the first article with a report from last week's ANA convention.

Sample Slabs are produced by third-party grading companies as examples of their work for marketing and promotional purposes. David's newsletter has grown from 25 people in 2015 to over 350 today. Congratulations. -Editor

NGC Numismatic Triathlon - ANA 2024 - participant sample slab

As knowledge diffuses throughout the numismatic fraternity, it has become more difficult to find vintage and collectible slabs unattributed. Slab friends, we have gone mainstream. I saw numerous NGC white labels, Blanchards, and PCGS doilies, all priced at a premium. Even the NGC type 8 ("The Ocho") I have been championing, that was obscure so recently, now commands a small premium. One dealer, when asked about better holders, noted that material of that sort was well picked at the start of the show and I should expect to find little towards the end. You will still find scores, but the days when we could buy every sample we saw are over. A question to ponder: what item, whether numismatic or anything else, is now unappreciated and will be valuable in 10 years?

Of course, the ANA convention remains the best place in the world to find new samples. NGC expanded their popular grading contest into the new NGC Numismatic Triathlon. About 200 contestants answered questions on numismatic terms, then attributed coins, then graded coins. Holders went to all contestants, with special holders to the top five scorers in YN, YAN (Young Adult Numismatist), and adult categories.

PCGS held a breakfast Friday morning for the Set Registry Awards and Coin Dealer Hall of Fame Induction. About 50 people attended this event, where Christine Karstedt and Ron Gillio joined the Hall of Fame. All attendees received a holder pedigreed to the event with a 2024 Mary Walker quarter. 200 examples were made of this piece, which is part of the PCGS luncheon series. Note the reverse includes a Stacks Bowers CMQ (Certified Market Qualified) sticker. Five people chosen by drawing received the even more generous gift of a PCGS swag bag that included PCGS merch and a similar holder with a Silver Eagle. PCGS art director Keith Dewald put together the labels, signage, tickets, and other event art on short notice. The event, and the entire Set Registry program, is entirely free.