Looking back at some of the first PCGS Sample Slabs

This being the first publication of the New Year, I thought it would be a good time to go back to the beginning, to when the PCGS sample slab first started. The one thing to remember is PCGS does NOT sell sample slabs, all sample slabs produced by PCGS are given away free to the public!

There are however some exceptions. The first being the dealer only sample slabs, made in very small quantities, they were an easy way for dealers to introduce collectors to the newest PCGS slabs.

The second being the members only luncheons samples, again made in very small quantities. Both these sample types are highly sought after by collectors and with good reason, these are some of the finest samples available.

Sample slabs where created to show new changes in the slab such as important new security features, a new slab design or even something as small as a font change on the label. They are distributed at coin shows or other numismatics events.

PCGS was founded in 1986 by David Hall and a group of dealers. They wanted to create a product where a collector could buy a certified coin, in a sealed plastic holder without ever seeing it. They could do so with the knowledge that the coin was authentic, and with the grade being accurate and guaranteed.

PCGS was then and still is one of the most trusted coin grading companies in numismatics.