PERIODICAL: SAMPLE SLAB UPDATE NEWSLETTER 44

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V28 2025 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 42, 2025, Article 11

The Sample Slab Update is published about every two months by David Schwager. Email him at davidschwager@hotmail.com to be added to the mailing list. The October 2025 issue (#44) has been published. It's a short, 9-page affair with news on the Volume 2, third edition of the Sample Slabs book by Schwager and Burton Strauss, an article noting that "Slab Collecting Is Now Mainstream", an interview with Schwager, and Buying and Selling sections.

With permission, we're reprinting the Mainstream article, which nicely "encapsulates" the progression of new specialty areas in numismatics. -Editor

There was a time when no-one cared about mintmarks. They were tiny, insignificant details. Interest slowly grew, especially in the decades around 1900. Now mintmarks are a vital part of numismatics, as important as the date.

There was a time when no-one cared about errors. They were defective garbage, and the few people who took notice called them "freaks" and "oddities." Interest slowly grew, especially in the decades around 1960. Now errors are an important part of numismatics, giving insight into the manufacture of our favorite objects.

There was a time when no-one cared about certified coin holders. They were containers that did a simple job. Interest slowly grew, in the decades of the 21st century. Now collectible slabs, such as vintage or sample pieces, routinely appear in major auctions, in coin publications, and in dealer cases.

Part of this is a virtuous cycle in which more interest leads to higher prices, which leads to more interest, and continues. Once an item has enough value to be worth a dealer"s time, that dealer pays attention. This helps explain why so few unattributed vintage slabs still exist, and why a significant minority of dealer cases at shows hold collectible slabs at retail prices or higher. Money gets respect, and sales of four, five, and even six-figure holders command attention.

Another part of this is generational. There aren"t many slab haters left. Although you will occasionally meet one, most haters have changed their mind or died of old age. In contrast, many of us don"t remember, or barely remember, a time when certification did not exist. Newer generations of collectors, who entered the coin hobby in the precious metals boom of 2011 and pandemic boom of 2020, skew younger. These newer collectors see the coin and the holder as a combined package, with the holder sometimes more important than the coin.

The study and collecting of slabs is now similar to medals, VAMs, toners, or any other specialty. Most people won"t share your exact interest, having their own preferences, but nearly all will acknowledge your specialty as a worthwhile part of numismatics.

I'm no slab hater, just indifferent. I do own some slabs today, and certainly appreciate the study and hobby of sample slabs and certified coin holders in general. To the above list I would add another hobby supply item - coin boards and folders, popularized by the late Dave Lange with his excellent books on the subjects. What specialty is next for the spotlight? Perhaps something you'll read about here in The E-Sylum. -Editor