The Book

WHAT'S A SAMPLE SLAB?

If you are reading this site, you can probably answer that question.  Several companies seal collectible coins in plastic holders known colloquially as slabs.  The slab protects the coin and, more importantly, a label gives the service’s opinion on the coin’s condition and authenticity.  These companies sometimes give away slabs, usually with inexpensive modern coins like state quarters or 1960 – 64 silver dimes, to demonstrate their products, show new features, or as gifts for preferred customers.  These slabs are samples and therefore known as sample slabs.

DO PEOPLE REALLY COLLECT SAMPLE SLABS?

Definitely.  Search "Sample Slab" on eBay to see how many turn up.  Search your favorite coin forum to see how many people are discussing them.  Heritage has offered currency sample slabs in its weekly auctions.The most prestigious coin journal, The Numismatist, devoted its May 2015 cover to sample slabs.

WHAT'S IN THE BOOK?

The first book devoted to this emerging numismatic subject, Sample Slabs covers sample, promotional, club, show, luncheon, novelty, and young numismatist coin and currency holders. It includes:

- 760 types

- 35 grading services

- 620 pages at 8 1/2" by 5 1/2"

- 900+ photos (b&w in softcover, color in PDF)

- Prices for all items based on a 32-month market analysis

ISN'T THERE ALREADY A BOOK OR SITE ABOUT SAMPLES?

Michael Schmidt (a/k/a Conder101) wrote and published the canonical reference guide to slabs, “The Slab Book” in 2003. Over 420 pages in length, covering more than 80 companies and 200 total varieties, it had a section on sample slabs including about 50 items. Michael’s book is out of print, but available for loan from the American Numismatic Association (ANA) Library.

Cameron Kiefer – 2002 Young Numismatist of the year and a grader at coin slabber ICG – built and maintained the reference website, SampleSlabs.com from 2003 to 2006. The website lists 19 companies and around 320 samples and remains available today. Key content about the top four grading services is mirrored at Heritage Auctions as a demonstration of the value of this information to collectors and to the hobby.

In the intervening years, several researchers have posted updated type listings on the hobby’s message boards, but they’ve focused on production slabs. And until now – despite an active issuance of sample slabs by the companies – no new (post 2006) information has been readily available.

Historical information is also difficult to come by. Companies are focused on serving their customers, not making dusty records available to numismatists. Records of what was actually produced are scarce, with only the top three grading services having any historical records available on their web sites.

WHY SHOULD I BUY THIS BOOK?

The sample hobby has not had a standard reference work. Sample Slabs is now that book.  From Lyman Low's Hard Times Tokens in the 19th century to Charles Rodgers' History of Disney Dollars in the 21st, the first comprehensive book on a collecting specialty defines the topic and provides a framework for collection and study.  With the knowledge in this book, you will become part of the sample collecting story as this branch of numismatics deepens and grows.

Also, you will finally have a price guide for your collecting, buying, and selling.  The pricing information, found nowhere else, is by itself worth more than the price of the book.  If you have any interest in samples or grading services, or want to learn to cherrypick samples hiding in plain sight in dealer cases, you will find this catalog an essential reference and worth picking up.

OK, I'M READY TO BUY

Softcover sold out

PDF download $9

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