Finding An old Accugrade slab just for fun in the Wild: A Cherry Picker’s Guide

Introduction: The Thrill of the Hunt

You don’t always need a dealer to find this. Here is what to look for when searching through circulation or bulk lots. As a roll hunter and cherry picker, I’ve spent countless hours scouring through bank rolls, estate sales, and bulk coin lots searching for that special find. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries aren’t even coins at all, but rather the holders they come in.

The Accugrade Legacy: A Cautionary Tale

Accugrade (ACG) slabs represent a fascinating chapter in third-party grading history. These distinctive hard acrylic plastic holders were produced by Alan Hager’s company, which operated during the 1980s and 1990s. What makes these slabs particularly interesting to collectors today isn’t necessarily the coins they contain, but rather their historical significance and the cautionary lessons they teach.

Why Approach These Slabs Cautiously?

Several forum members noted that these slabs should be approached with caution, and there’s good reason for this advice. The owner of Accugrade, Alan Hager, was known to be litigious, having sued numerous people who spoke negatively about his product. This legal aggressiveness created an atmosphere of uncertainty around the brand and its grading standards.

Additionally, the grading consistency of Accugrade slabs has been questioned by many in the numismatic community. As one collector noted, they have a slab labeled ACG22 that “would not cross at that grade but still nice” – suggesting that the grading standards may have been inconsistent or overly generous compared to today’s major grading services.

Identifying Key Markers

When searching through bulk lots or estate sales, here’s what to look for when identifying Accugrade slabs:

• Material: Hard acrylic plastic that can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol
• Label Design: Distinctive labeling that varies across different variants (forum members mentioned ACG22, ACG25, and others)
• Age Indicators: These slabs date from approximately 20+ years ago when the company ceased operations
• Condition: Often found with sticker residue, permanent marker, or other contaminants

The Conservation Challenge

One collector shared their experience with an Accugrade slab that was “loaded with sticker glue, a couple of stickers and permanent marker.” Through careful conservation work, they were able to clean it up for presentation purposes. This highlights an important aspect of cherry picking – sometimes the value is in the holder itself, and a little TLC can transform a neglected piece into something presentable.

Historical Significance

Accugrade slabs represent an important transitional period in coin collecting when third-party grading was still evolving. Alan Hager, the company’s owner, wasn’t just a slab producer – he also published a set of three books on dollars that are still referenced by collectors today.

The company eventually went under approximately 20 years ago, marking the end of an era in the third-party grading industry. Today, these slabs serve as historical artifacts that tell the story of how coin authentication and grading standards have evolved over time.

Value Guide: More Than Just the Coin Inside

Coins in Accugrade Slabs

While the slabs themselves have collectible value, it’s worth noting that the coins inside are often of modest value. One forum member mentioned a 1971-S proof quarter in an Accugrade slab, noting it has “little value” and “little upside or downside when using it for demo purposes.” This makes them ideal for educational purposes since you don’t have to worry about damaging a valuable coin.

The Slabs as Collectibles

The Accugrade slabs themselves have become collectible items, particularly for those interested in the history of coin grading. With numerous label variants identified (including ACG22, ACG25, and others documented in collector books), building a complete set of Accugrade slab variants could be an interesting specialized collection.

Educational Value

Many collectors use these slabs for educational purposes. As one forum member planned to do, they make excellent demonstration pieces for coin club presentations, showing examples of how grading standards and holder technology have evolved over the decades.

Where to Find Them

Circulation and Bulk Lots

Accugrade slabs occasionally turn up in bank rolls and bulk coin lots, though they’re becoming increasingly rare as time passes. Estate sales are another good source, as older collections often contain these vintage slabs.

Online Marketplaces

While not as common as modern slabs, Accugrade holders do appear on online marketplaces, particularly in lots of mixed slabs or as part of estate collections being sold off.

Dealer Inventory

Some dealers who specialize in vintage slabs or third-party grading history may keep Accugrade slabs in inventory, either as part of educational displays or for collectors interested in slab variations.

Authentication and Conservation

Cleaning Accugrade Slabs

The hard acrylic plastic used in Accugrade slabs can be cleaned effectively with rubbing alcohol, as long as you don’t leave it puddling on the surface. This makes conservation relatively straightforward compared to some other vintage slab types.

Authentication Considerations

While authentication isn’t typically a concern with these slabs (they’re not being counterfeited), the condition of the slab and the quality of any conservation work can affect their value to collectors.

Conclusion: A Window into Grading History

Accugrade slabs represent more than just coin holders – they’re windows into the evolution of third-party grading and the business practices of early grading companies. Whether you’re a roll hunter searching through bulk lots, a collector of slab variations, or someone interested in numismatic history, these distinctive holders offer something of value.

The next time you’re searching through a bulk lot or estate sale, keep an eye out for these hard acrylic plastic slabs. Even if the coin inside isn’t particularly valuable, the holder itself might be worth adding to your collection – especially if you can find it at a reasonable price after a bit of conservation work.

Remember the lessons these slabs teach: approach with caution, understand the history, and appreciate them for what they are – important artifacts in the ongoing story of coin collecting and authentication.

Related Resources

You might also find these related articles helpful:

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