Scarce Slab Generation Varieties
1/19/20246 min read
This post consists of the various different generations or varieties within different generations of slabs from ANACS, CAC, NGC, and PCGS. These will include slabs that are/were less widely known until recently, so it will leave out commonly known rare generations like PCGS & NGC white labels and Doilies, for example.
ANACS A-Cert. - RARE
Rare and no one seems to know the story behind these. Likely they were produced in 1989. Were they samples or maybe prototype or pre-production slabs? Who knows? I’ve seen or heard of only three A00005, A00009 & A00058.
One would suspect that there were at least 58 produced assuming cert numbers A00001-A00058 but no one knows for sure.
ANACS Gen 7/P6.6 Error? - Very Scarce
Produced in 2007? This holder is a mystery, It is a problem free coin in an old small white holder with gen P6.6 problem slabs front & rear label that was used from Dec 2006- Sept 2007. I’ve only seen graded 2005 Detached Leg Bison nickels in this holder. I assume there was some limited run done for whatever reason. A check on ANACS shows 131 Bison 2005 P & D in MS64 (108) & MS65 (23) with certs from 70042910-70043041.
Generation P 6.5 - Very Scarce/Rare.
Likely produced for a day or few in March 2006 alongside Gen 7.0. This was the 1st of the problem small white holder. When ANACS introduced it's new blue holder, it relegated problem coins to the old SWH's. Unlike the common version with two rows of "pyramids", this one has three rows on the background of the front label. Current census has only 33 examples cataloged since 2015. Census can be found on the census page of this site.
ANACS Yellow Labels (Gens 2-4) - Very Scarce/RARE
The yellow label was produced across 3 generations of holders from about 1991-1992, possibly just in 1991. First is the one shown, it is from gen 2 (Gen P2), that used alpha-numeric cert numbers. Census has only 5 cataloged since 2014. The 2nd is gen P3 and is identical to gen P2 except that the cert number now only uses numbers. Census has only 5 cataloged since 2015. The 3rd, gen P4 has a revised label with smaller font and a barcode. Census has 28 cataloged since 2018, these are scarce but the most common of the yellow labels. More details are in my ANACS problem generations history linked at the bottom of my ANACS history post.
ANACS
ANACS Gen 7.0 - Very Scarce/RARE
Likely produced for a day or few in March 2006. This is the 1st style label of the "new" blue holder. Note the placement of the front logo compared with gen 7.1 & 7.2 and the lack of website on rear label. Current census figures put the number of survivors known at 68. (*Note Census begun in 2015)
CAC
Generation P 1.0 - Rare.
Produced June 2023 - July 2023. This is the 1st generation problem coin label. It features the registry value below the grade. The “REG” label quickly was ended as there was confusion as to the meaning with many thinking that CAC was net grading coins. It was announced on August 2nd the it had been discontinued. This was all before CAC submission was open to the general public. Few were produced and they now command a large premium. While I don't know how many were produced, I have so far catalog 24 of them having come to market since they were introduced.
Generation P 1.1 MS Details - Uncommon.
Produced Aug 2023 - abt Dec 2023. This is a variety of the 2nd generation problem coin label. For several months after the registry value below the grade was removed, CAC used the MS Details designation for uncirculated coins with problems. Around Dec of 2023 CAC discontinued the designation, replacing it with UNC Details. These should be a sleeper scarcity for awhile before being widely recognized as such.
Generation 8 - Scarce.
Produced Aug 2000 - Sept 2000 for 4 weeks. This holder features a redesigned front label that proved unpopular and was quickly discontinued. Recently this holder has come to the attention collectors and will now command a premium when the generation is noted. That said, most dealers are not aware of it and you can often find them with no premium.
NGC
Generation 10 - Uncommon.
Produced July 2003 - Aug 2003 for about 2 months. This holder features a new front label with NGC's website & logo replacing the company name along bottom of border, the grade in bold, it also has a different background design from previous holder. The rear features a new rear hologram with ANA's lamp logo. I don't know why it was so quickly discontinued. This holder has yet to gain the attention of collectors so you will find them with no premium. I believe it to be a sleeper.
Generation 3 - Uncommon.
Produced Dec 1987 - Aug 1989. This holder came after the rare white labels and is the last NGC holder without a hologram. Mostly ignored as a scarcity by collectors until recently, they have quickly become popular. These holders generally command a decent premium which can increase substantially with a CAC sticker. Originally the front label border was brown but some have turned various shades of brown, gray and green. Bright green border holders seem to have the biggest premium. Simple clean design, gold stamped logo, what's not to like.
PCGS
Generation 4.0A T1/T2 - Very Scarce.
Produced Oct 1998. This holder replaced the old green holder. For a short time some of the denominations had no series & coin number so they were left off the front label. This left the front looking clean and simple. The first and most scarce of this type was the T1/T2 designation, it was quickly changed to Type 1/Type 2. I've only seen Eisenhower dollars and Kennedy halves with it but it may be on others.
