 Updated on June 10th 2004 to add PCGS 2.5, 3.5, 15, 16, & 17. It has been about a week or so since I posted the NGC generations and it was requested that I do the same for the PCGS slabs as well. I finally go all the pictures rounded up and uploaded so here goes.   PCGS 1 The first generation holder, commonly known as a "Rattler". Thse were used from the Feb of 1986 when PCGS opened through Sept 1989 when chanes were made as a result of the counterfeit slabs that had appeared earlier.  This is back label of a genuine PCGS 1.  PCGS 1X This is the back label of a counterfeit slab. The most commonly mentioned identifying feature of the fake slab unfortunately often does not show well, either on these pictures or on the actual slabs. On the genuine slab, the serifs of the letters end sloping up at a 45 degree angle. On the fake the serifs are vertical. A better diagnostic and one which can be seen almost at arms length is the position of the I in Service below the D in Grading. On the genuine slab the I is almost centered between the D and I. On the counterfeit it is a little right of center of the D.   PCGS 2 This was the first attempt by PCGS to increase the security of their slabs. This is a two piece slab. The center part is the same small "rattler" shell seen on PCGS 1 (note the four alignment pins in the corners around the coin). The second part is a plastic border thatwraps around the edge of the slab and forms the raised lip that now lets the slabs stack and interlock. Other security measures taken were the addition of a barcode to the front label and a hologram to the back label. This was also the last variety that did not have the companies initials on the front label. The front label is off white with a green tinge to it. This faint green is formed by thousands of tiny green dots that are only visible under magnification. This variety was used in Oct and Nov of 1989.   PCGS 2.5 This slab was discovered after the initial posting of this thread ad posted here by mgoodm3. It is he same as PCGS 2 in all ways except for the adition of the companies initials at the top center of the front label. Since then I have seen a few other specimens but it seems to be much scarcer than PCGS 2. My guess is that it was probably produced during the last week or so of Nov 1989.   PCGS 3 The slab shell is the same as that seen on the previous variety. On the front label the initials PCGS have been added at the top center, and the upper three fourths of the label is covered with a "doilie" pattern. There areas in the pattern where part of the image has been left out and these altered areas also form the PCGS initials. This variety was used in Dec of 89 only.   PCGS 3.5 Another variety discovered and posted here after the initial listing of the thread. Discovered by Spinynorman this is a transitional variety between #'s 3 and 4. It has the same slab within a frame construction as 2, 2.5, and 3. But it has the same non-colorfast die cut (smooth edged) green label with the large serial numbers that start to the left of the barcode. This variety was suspected even before it was discovered because Cameron Kiefer had discovered and listed a sample slab version of this holder several months before the production slab version was found. A few more examples have turned up but this variety seems to be very scarce. As a transitional variety it was probably only produced during the last week of Dec 1989.   PCGS 4 This is the first of the "Green Label" slabs. (While the previous labels may have had a green tint to them, this slab was the first where the label was a definite pale green label!) Unfortunately the green color in the label was not stable and the labels of this variety had a tendency to change color over time. Sometimes the blue pigment breaks down and the label becomes more and more yellow sometimes reaching amost a Canary yellow. Other times the yelow breaks down and the label becomes more blue. I have seen a couple of these where the label is a brighter blue than is seen on the current slabs. One identifying feature of this variety is the large font used in the serial numbers. The serial number begins at or slightly to the left of the left edge of the barcode below it. The shell is now a one part slab with the stacking edge an intergral part of the shell. This holder was used from Jan of 1990 through some time in 1995.   PCGS 5 The second "Green Label" slab. At first glance almost the same as the previous variety but the font has been changed. The most noticable difference is the smaller size of the digits in the serial number and the number now begins well to the right of the left edge of the barcode. On the back the line "Copying prohibited" appears below the PCGS logo. (This is the only variety that that line is found on.) PCGS had finally corrected the color stability labels and all or almost all of the slabs from this variety have the regular green label. These were used from sometime in 1995 through Oct of 1998.   PCGS 6 In Nov of 98 PCGS dropped the green label in favor of the current light blue. This first light blue variety usually stikes people as being odd but they have problems putting their finger on exactly why. On this variety the date is found in the upper left hand corner and the denomination/type is in the upper right corner. In the center of the second line is PCGS and the grade. The serial number is at the center of the bottom label, and the barcode has been banished to the back label. The PCGS coin and seris numbers do not appear on this variety!! This variety was only used for circulation type coins (including proofs). For Bullion coins, and Commemoratives see PCGS 7. This variety was only used in Nov and Dec of 1998.  PCGS 6.1 This is a subvariety of PCGS 6. Coins that come in more than one variety, such as the Bicentennial dollar shown here, that were holdered during Nov of 1998 had the difference spelled out as T1 or T2 etc.  PCGS 6.2 The following month of December they changed the label from T1, T2 etc to Type 1 or Type 2 etc. (This was the form that PCGS then continued to use.) Each of these subvarieties were only used for the one month and were only used on a tiny fraction of the number of coins submitted during those months. (These are the only PCGS varieties I don't have yet.)   PCGS 7 This variety also began in Nov of 1998 but was only used for Bullion coins and Commemorative coins. On this one the Coin type is in the upper left corner and the denomination is in the upper right. The PCGS and grade are still in the center of the second line but now the date is in the center of the third line. The serial number is at the bottom and the barcode is still on the back label. These also do not have coin or series numbers. This variety continued through Feb of 2002 but in mid 2001 PCGS began adding Coin and Series numbers to the older Classic Commemoratives and they switched over to the next variety.   PCGS 8 These are the same style as PCGS 6 but now the Coin and Series numbers have been added. Again this type was only used for circulation type coins (and proofs) until mid 2001 when Classic Commems also started appearing in this slab. The PCGS 8 slab continued in production until Feb 2002. PCGS 8.1 (Not pictured) This is a minor transitional variety. there was a slight change in the hologram on the back label between #'s 6 and 8. On PCGS 6 the sides of the hologram are flat and straight while on PCGS 8 they are slightly bowed. This makes the hologram on #6 slightly smaller and gives the corners a sharper more squared off appearance. This is difficult to discern unless you have examples of both hologram types for comparison.   PCGS 9 This slab really belongs between #'s 4 and 5 but this is where you're going to get it. This was the regency Slab, a special premium slab that was intended to allow the collector to recognize "special" coins. Either to showcase very rare pieces, special pedigree coins or even special events. The regency slab is a large slab, five inches high and three across at the widest point. They cost $50 ($30 slabbing fee plus $20 for the special holder and personalized inscription) and you were allowed to specify a two line inscription to appear on the front label. (Maximm 44 characters.) According to Rick Montgomery these were produced from 1992 to 1995 but so far I've only been able to trace them from Mid 1994 to the first quarter of 1995. PCGS 10 and 11 have been delisted. they are now listed in the Novelty slab section.   PCGS 12 This is the current production slab that PCGS is using for the Bullion and Modern Commemorative coins. It is the same as PCGS 7 except that the barcode has been moved from the back label to the bottom of the front label. Used from Feb 2002 to date.   PCGS 13 The current slab used for circulation type coins and Classic commemoratives. This is the same as PCGS 8 with the Coin and Series numbers, but the barcode has now been moved to the front label.   PCGS 14 PCGS's answer to the NGC multi-coin holders Introduced around 11/24/03, so far I've only seen gold proof sets PCGS 15 No pictures because this one has not been seen yet but it will be coming. In early 2004 PCGSA was outbid for the endorsement of PNG as their official grading service. Therefore they will have to remove the PNG logo from the hologram on the back. This number is reserved for the first single coin slab used for circulation type coins and Classic commemoratives with the new hologram. PCGS 16 No pictures, not seen yet. Reserved for the bullion coin/modern commemoratives with the new hologram. PCGS 17 No pictures, not seen yet. Reserved for the multi-coin holder with the new hologram. |