Hi Collectors Club, Cooper here. 🐾
Yesterday, Jürgen from Germany sent us an interesting question. He is considering buying a perfectly graded PF70 Proof coin from Wasserthal RareCoin.Store.
Looking at the coin, he asked himself a very practical collector’s question:
Can I remove a PF70 coin from the slab to display it in a capsule or a nice presentation box?
An intriguing question – and indeed a classic dilemma in the numismatic collectors’ market.
What does PF70 actually mean?
PF70 is the highest possible grade of preservation for a proof coin. NGC usually uses the designation PF70 for this, while PCGS typically uses PR70.
That means:
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perfect surfaces
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no visible errors
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maximum embossing quality
Coins of this grade are among the best possible examples of an issue .
This is precisely why PF70 coins often achieve a significant numismatic premium in the collector market compared to non-certified pieces.
Why collectors leave coins in slabs
The so-called slab – the sealed plastic capsule of a grading company – fulfills several important functions.
He confirms:
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the authenticity
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and the integrity since the assessment
As long as a coin remains in its slab, every collector worldwide can immediately see that the valuation is still valid. This creates trust in the international collector market.
Can I take a PF70 coin from the slab?
Technically speaking, the answer is: Yes.
From a practical point of view, it is not a good idea in most cases.
Once a slab is opened, the coin loses its official certification .
Even if the coin still looks perfect, it will no longer be considered a certified PF70 specimen.
For many collectors, this means:
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The documented degree is no longer valid
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Market confidence is declining
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The potential collector value may be significantly lower.
In short: The coin remains the same, but its verifiable value is lost.
Cooper’s comparison from the world of dog shows 🐾
Imagine a dog winning the title “Best in Show” at a major dog show.
The judges examined him closely: physique, coat, movement – everything was carefully evaluated. In the end, he received an official award and a certificate confirming that he had been judged by experts and had won the highest title.
This certificate immediately shows everyone:
This dog was officially evaluated and truly received the title.
If you simply say later:
“This dog was once Best in Show,”
But if the certificate or official documents are missing, it becomes significantly more difficult to prove this.
The dog is, of course, still the same dog.
But the officially confirmed title is no longer documented.
It works in a very similar way with coins.
The slab is, in a sense, the official certificate of the coin. It documents the tested condition – in this case PF70 , the best possible grade.
When you open the slab, the coin remains the same coin.
But the officially confirmed rating is no longer protected and verifiable.
Why some collectors still open slabs
There are actually collectors who remove coins from their slabs.
Mostly for two reasons:
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They would like to view the design of the coin without the plastic frame.
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They prefer a presentation in a collection with capsules or special cases.
However, this is rarely useful, especially for coins with high collector value – particularly PF70 Proof coins .
Cooper’s conclusion 🐾
Many collectors wonder: Can I take a PF70 coin out of the slab?
In most cases, the answer is: It’s better not to do it.
The slab is not just packaging. It is an important part of the coin’s documentation .
Especially with high-quality numismatic gold coins, experienced collectors therefore prefer certified specimens from companies such as NGC or PCGS , where condition and authenticity remain permanently verifiable.
I continue to collect questions from collectors around the world.
And the next collector’s question is already on my desk. 🐾
