As collectors and/or dealers, are the numbers located at the bottom of the coin holder label (typically displayed near or above the barcode) relevant to you? Do you think most hobbyists understand what this information means, or is it seen by most as undecipherable clutter? The TPG companies display this data differently, so I'm curious to know what you think is actually pertinent.
Question: Regarding those numbers on the label, how much of it is necessary?
(a) All of it!
(b) Some of it (please specify what and why)
(c) None of it!
(d) Wait, what numbers?
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts. Thanks!
Comments
The Coin catalog number isn’t necessary to me and the grade following it ( on PCGS slabs ) is redundant as it is listed above on the label
In the case of the numbers on the above PCGS holder, I believe they are very important to a great many of us. Quick/easy access to the PCGS coin number (7294) allows us to look up that coin number to research auction prices realized, current bids, price guide values, (edited to add: population data, too), etc. Additionally, seeing the PCGS cert number (35592956) allows for a quick cert verification check.
The same goes with respect to the NGC cert number on the below pictured coin.
As far as what PCGS does including their catalogue number along with the assigned grade is just extra information. I would assume that CAC will be assigning a catalogue number to each coin via denomination/date/mm/variety? If this is the case, that number might be useful on the reverse of the label along with any other pertinent information regarding the coin. One thing I do like about PCGS is they use a code in the grade position following the coin number for details grades, this can be useful if the problem is not described clearly on the front of the label where the Straight Graded grade would appear.
I do like the simplistic approach by NGC with a serial number that matches the submission followed by the -001 to indicate what position the coin was on the submission. So having 20 coins submitted you have a single submission number 1234567 followed by a -001 up to -020.
Personally I don't mind either approach. I just know that at a bare minimum, there needs to be a unique serial number on the front of the slab.
Serial numbers are an absolute necessity. A unique serial number to differentiate one coin from another in dealer stock, so buyers of sight unseen coins can verify the serial numbers, and so they can be added/removed from a set registry.
In my opinion the reason people favor PCGS coins is the ability to add them to registry sets and specialty sets. Low populations and set competition are what I believe generates the premium for PCGS coins. NGC coins seems to be less desirable since they allow PCGS coins in their competitive registry sets.
Thank you Mark for suggesting using the coin number for the pop report, price guide, etc. Much faster!
Much better data on a QR code, and much cleaner looking than a bar code. RFID to me is a great security feature and would definitely add it
"Them"? I see.....