Samples and Slabs at the 2024 ANA World's Fair of Money

As knowledge diffuses throughout the numismatic fraternity, ithas become more difficult to find vintage and collectible slabsunattributed. Slab friends, we have gone mainstream. I sawnumerous NGC white labels, Blanchards, and PCGS doilies, allpriced at a premium. Even the NGC type 8 ("The Ocho") I havebeen championing, that was obscure so recently, now commandsa small premium. One dealer, when asked about better holders,noted that material of that sort was well picked at the start of theshow and I should expect to find little towards the end. You willstill find scores, but the days when we could buy every sample wesaw are over. A question to ponder: what item, whethernumismatic or anything else, is now unappreciated and will bevaluable in 10 years?

Of course, the ANA convention remains the best place in the world to find new samples. NGCexpanded their popular grading contest into the new NGC Numismatic Triathlon. About 200contestants answered questions on numismatic terms, then attributed coins, then graded coins.Holders went to all contestants, with special holders to the top five scorers in YN, YAN (YoungAdult Numismatist), and adult categories.

PCGS held a breakfastFriday morning for the SetRegistry Awards and CoinDealer Hall of FameInduction. About 50people attended this event,where Christine Karstedtand Ron Gillio joined theHall of Fame. Allattendees received a holderpedigreed to the eventwith a 2024 Mary Walkerquarter. 200 examples were made of this piece, which is part of the PCGS luncheon series. Note thereverse includes a Stacks Bowers CMQ (Certified Market Qualified) sticker. Five people chosen bydrawing received the even more generous gift of a PCGS swag bag that included PCGS merch and asimilar holder with a Silver Eagle. PCGS art director Keith Dewald put together the labels, signage,tickets, and other event art on short notice. The event, and the entire Set Registry program, isentirely free.