Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

There have been a few questions as of late regarding whether or not slabbed modern bullion coins are worth the extra effort to have slabbed, or worth the extra cost to buy. I figure this would be a good thread to discuss this. The whole concept of grading coins is to determine what state of wear your coin is in. The spectrum of grading goes something like this:

AG - about good
G - good
F - fine
XF - extra fine
AU - about uncirculated
MS - mint state

When it comes to precious metal coins, only pre 65 silver and pre 33 gold would have the possibility of grading in any significant range since they are the PM coins that have circulated. Modern bullion is not designed to circulate at all, hence you will rarely if ever find a modern bullion coin below a mint state grade. I challenge someone to find me a slabbed modern bullion coin in a grade of F/XF/AU or anything below mint state. I have never seen one and in my opinion that would be more rare than the plethora of graded examples in mint state.

The point is this - slabbing modern bullion is just another way for the dealers to sell their bullion at a higher price than the metal would afford. If you have modern bullion coins, grading them is a waste of time IMHO - unless you are having it graded to be genuine. PCGS will grade it to make sure it's not fake with the wording on the slab "gem uncirculated".

Re: Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

Throw it in the pocket with the rest of the change and carry it around for a year. Bam! Your now-circulated "modern uncirculated bullion coin" has just become rare (and therefore appreciated a little). :biggrin:

Re: Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

No slab. :thumb.aspx:

Re: Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

:s1: Looking at PCGS population report for just one modern,gold bullion, there are 15 graded XF-AU.......Alot of reasons why others' and myself like the coin in plastic, by PCGS only. When time comes to sell,10-30years down the road,resale premium compared to "raw",coin will not be damaged,grade will hold up,to grading changes,they look nice in slabs and easy to handle. % wise moderns in "70"s are low and alot of COLLECTORS want the best. :applause_

Re: Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

Nah, slabbed bullion is silly. Bullion is bullion, and slabbed bullion takes up more room than bullion in flips or in coin tubes. Maybe if you had an MS 70 and got it slabbed, it might be worth it, but then it becomes numismatic, I would sell it at a premium to some sucker, and buy more plain vanilla bullion.

Re: Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

I think the answer depends on your ultimate goals with bullion. Are you looking for something that holds it value and takes up very little space? Or are you looking to maximize financial return?

I think any coin worth over $100 could benefit from slabbing. Usually people will pay for the extra premium for it to be slabbed so I wouldn't worry about losing your money there. Maybe wait till your coin is in the money before slabbing it. This way you are only spending part of your profit to get it slabbed. As usual only slab the good looking coins you have.

Re: Modern Bullion: To Slab or not To Slab?
 

Also, see the PCGS price guide on GAEs, they don't offer price values for bullion under Mint State condition, because there aren't any (there might be one or two, but not enough to afford it's own pricing on the PCGS website).

http://www.pcgs.com/prices/PriceGuid...le=Gold+Eagles