ANACS Gen 3

It's fairly easy to spot the differences between a gen 3 holder from later holders w/o barcodes. First, the font placement, style and size on their label are identical to that of the gen 2 alpha-numeric holder label. Second, all gen 3's have only 6 digits in their serial (cert) number. More specifically, with few exceptions, almost all gen 3's fall within the cert number range of 300005-301842. The few exceptions that have fallen outside this range are 250228, 250230, 250231, 250244, 250247, 251139, 251756, and 251935.

ANACS used random cert numbers, so it isn't a huge surprise to see some fall outside the main group even though the holder was only used for a day or so. The time period used for production is an estimate based on the approximate numbers of coins that were holdered each day at that time.

The above example, an ANACS gen 6 is one that can be mistaken for a gen 3 holder. In the case of this one, it is likely the submitter did not want the barcode added. However, and by far the most commonly mistaken holder for a gen 3 are with problem coins. Due to additional details like VAM, Breen, other designations and/or the problem there wasn't enough room on a label and ANACS would leave the barcode off those labels. This was done on all of the small white holders from gens 4-6. The next photo is an example of a problem gen 6 without barcode.

It is easy to distinguish a problem gen 3 holder from most later holders. All gen 3's, like gen 2 and the early gen 4 holders use a yellow label for problem coins. All yellow problem labeled coins were designated as Genuine Not Graded. A note of warning, while I have yet to see an example, it is possible that a yellow label gen 4 is lacking a barcode like the above gen 6. In that case, please just be aware of the font and details placement between gen 3 and gen 4 holders.

Gen 3

Gen 6

Problem Gen 6 (P6)

Problem Gen 3 (P3)