Collector & Reseller Glossary

What the jargon actually means — and what it does to resale value. 3,212 terms across 12 categories.

445 terms starting with “S” · page 4 of 8

1. slab caseCoins & Currency
   A slab case is a protective, tamper-evident holder, usually made of hard plastic, used by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. When a coin is encapsulated in one of these cases, it signifies that a third-party
2. slab certificationCoins & Currency
   This process involves having a professional third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, examine and encapsulate a coin in a tamper-evident holder. The service assigns a numerical grade reflecting the coin's conditi
3. slab characteristicCoins & Currency
   This refers to the specific features, condition, and presentation of a coin housed within a professional grading service's protective holder, often called a slab. When a coin is graded, the slab serves as third-party aut
4. slab classificationCoins & Currency
   This refers to the grading and encapsulation process where a third-party service, like PCGS or NGC, assigns a numerical grade to a coin and seals it in a tamper-evident holder, known as a slab. The grade reflects the coi
5. slab companyCoins & Currency
   A slab company is a third-party grading service that encases collectible items, such as coins, in a tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab. These companies authenticate the item's condition, assigning it a nu
6. slab comparisonCoins & Currency
   This refers to the practice of comparing the grading and encapsulation of a specific coin across multiple third-party grading services. Different grading companies use slightly varying standards for assigning grades, and
7. slab conditionTrading Cards
   This refers to the professional grading and encapsulation of a trading card by a third-party service, such as PSA or Beckett. The card is sealed inside a protective, tamper-evident plastic holder, or "slab." The grading
8. slab databaseCoins & Currency
   A slab database is a centralized, often online, repository that tracks the grading and authentication of collectible coins, typically those encased in protective, tamper-evident plastic holders known as slabs. These data
9. slab detailCoins & Currency
   This refers to the specific details visible on a coin after it has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, often called a slab. These details include the grade assigned by the grading service,
10. slab documentationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the official grading and encapsulation provided by professional third-party grading services, such as PCGS or NGC. When a coin is "slabbed," it means it has been sealed in a tamper-evident plastic holder,
11. slab downgradeCoins & Currency
    A slab downgrade occurs when a coin or collectible that was previously graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, known as a slab, is subsequently re-graded by a professional service and assigned a lower grade than
12. slab featureCoins & Currency
    A slab feature refers to the protective, tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab, that professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use to encapsulate a coin. This encapsulation serves as a third-party authe
13. slab gradeTrading Cards
    A slab grade refers to the numerical rating assigned to a trading card by a professional third-party grading service, such as PSA or Beckett. These services encapsulate the card in a protective, tamper-evident plastic ho
14. slab grade numberCoins & Currency
    This is the numerical rating assigned by a professional third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, to a coin's condition. The number reflects the coin's overall quality, encompassing details, luster, and preservat
15. slab grade variationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the subtle differences in the grading assigned to a coin by professional grading services, such as PCGS or NGC. Even when two coins are graded at the same numerical score, the specific descriptive terminol
16. slab gradingCoins & Currency
    This process involves submitting a coin to a professional third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, which meticulously inspects the coin's condition and assigns it a numerical grade. This grade reflects the coin'
17. slab historyCoins & Currency
    This refers to the documented history of a coin's professional grading and encapsulation, typically provided by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. It details every slab the coin has been housed in, including
18. slab holderCoins & Currency
    A slab holder is a protective, tamper-evident plastic case used by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC to encapsulate and certify coins. When a coin is graded, it is sealed within this holder, which displays t
19. slab identificationTrading Cards
    This process involves verifying the authenticity and grading of a trading card by examining the protective case, or slab, provided by a third-party grading service like PSA or Beckett. It confirms that the card has been
20. slab insuranceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the insurance coverage specifically applied to graded and encapsulated coins, often housed in protective plastic holders known as slabs. When a coin is professionally graded by a third-party service, it re
21. slab lineageCoins & Currency
    This refers to the documented history of a coin's professional grading and encapsulation, often involving multiple grading services or re-slabbing. For collectors and resellers, the lineage is crucial because it provides
22. slab marketCoins & Currency
    This refers to the market segment dealing with professionally graded and encapsulated coins, often housed in protective plastic holders called slabs. Third-party grading services, like PCGS or NGC, authenticate the coin'
23. slab nuanceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the subtle, often microscopic, variations in the plastic casing, or slab, used by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. It's not about the coin itself, but the protective holder it's sealed in. N
24. slab numberTrading Cards
    This refers to the unique identification number assigned to a trading card after it has been professionally graded and encapsulated by a third-party service like PSA or Beckett. This number is crucial because it links th
25. slab profileCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific visual characteristics of a coin's surface as it is housed within a professional grading slab. When a coin is graded, the encapsulating holder often provides a standardized view, and the "slab
26. slab protectorComics
    A slab protector is a clear, rigid plastic case, often used in conjunction with grading services like CGC or CBCS, designed to house and safeguard graded comic books. Its primary function is to provide an additional laye
27. slab provenanceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the documented history and chain of custody of a coin, especially when it has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, often called a slab. Provenance establishes exactly where t
28. slab rarityCoins & Currency
    This refers to the grading and encapsulation of a coin by a professional third-party service, such as PCGS or NGC. The slab is a tamper-evident holder that secures the coin and displays its certified grade, which is an o
29. slab recordCoins & Currency
    A slab record refers to a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. This process involves experts assessing the coin's authenti
30. slab returnCoins & Currency
    A slab return refers to the process where a coin, previously graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic holder, is sent back to the grading service. This usually happens if the owner is dissatisfied with the assigne
31. slab submissionCoins & Currency
    A slab submission is the process of having a coin professionally graded and encapsulated by a third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. These companies authenticate the coin's genuineness and assign it a numerica
32. slab subtletyCoins & Currency
    This term refers to the subtle, often microscopic, characteristics or imperfections visible on a coin that are noted by professional grading services when assigning a numerical grade. It goes beyond simple surface wear a
33. slab trendCoins & Currency
    This refers to the current market trajectory or perceived value movement of coins that have been professionally graded and encapsulated in protective plastic holders, known as slabs. Grading services assign a numerical s
34. slab typologyCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific grading and encapsulation standards used by professional coin grading services, such as PCGS or NGC. When a coin is "slabbed," it means it has been authenticated, graded, and sealed in a tampe
35. slab upgradeCoins & Currency
    A slab upgrade refers to the process where a coin, already encapsulated in a professional grading holder (a slab), is submitted to a grading service for re-evaluation or to have its existing grade improved. This is typic
36. slab valuationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the process of determining the monetary worth of a coin after it has been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The slab itself provides a
37. slab valueCoins & Currency
    This refers to the monetary worth of a coin after it has been professionally graded and encapsulated, typically by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The slab itself is a tamper-evident holder that secures t
38. slab verificationCoins & Currency
    This process involves having a professional third-party grading service examine and encapsulate a coin in a tamper-evident holder, often called a slab. The service verifies the coin's authenticity, assigns a numerical gr
39. slab windowTrading Cards
    A protective plastic casing, often made of acrylic or hard plastic, that is permanently sealed around a graded trading card. This window is part of the overall grading company's encapsulation, such as PSA or Beckett. Its
40. slabbedTrading Cards
    This refers to a trading card that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective, tamper-evident plastic case, often called a slab. Grading companies assign a numerical score reflecting the card's condi
41. slabbed assortmentCoins & Currency
    A slabbed assortment refers to a collection of coins that have been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party authentication service, such as PCGS or NGC. These coins are sealed in tamper-evident holders, wh
42. slabbed autographTrading Cards
    A card that has been professionally graded and encased in a protective plastic holder, and which also features an authentic signature from the card's subject. The grading company assesses the card's condition, centering,
43. slabbed cardTrading Cards
    A card that has been professionally graded and encased in a protective, tamper-evident plastic holder, often referred to as a slab. Grading services assign a numerical score reflecting the card's condition, ranging from
44. slabbed circulatedCoins & Currency
    This describes a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, often referred to as a slab. The term "circulated" indicates that the coin has seen normal use and wear from circulation,
45. slabbed coinCoins & Currency
    A slabbed coin is a numismatic item that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident plastic holder by a recognized third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. This process involves experts
46. slabbed coin typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic holder by a recognized third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. The grading service assigns a numerical score re
47. slabbed collectionCoins & Currency
    A slabbed collection refers to a group of coins, banknotes, or other collectibles that have been professionally graded and sealed within protective, tamper-evident plastic holders, often called slabs. These slabs are typ
48. slabbed conditionComics
    This refers to a comic book that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic case by a third-party grading service, such as CGC or CBCS. The grading process involves assessing the comic's phys
49. slabbed errorCoins & Currency
    A slabbed error refers to a coin that exhibits a minting error, such as doubled dies, off-center strikes, or metal composition flaws, and has been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party service like PCGS
50. slabbed exampleCoins & Currency
    A slabbed example refers to a coin or collectible that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab. Reputable third-party grading services, such as PCGS or NGC,
51. slabbed example coinCoins & Currency
    A coin that has been professionally encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder by a recognized third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. This process involves expert evaluation of the coin's condition, assigning it
52. slabbed example noteCoins & Currency
    This refers to a banknote that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic holder, often called a slab. Grading services assign a numerical score reflecting the note's condition, ranging from
53. slabbed groupingCoins & Currency
    A slabbed grouping refers to a collection of coins, banknotes, or other collectibles that have been professionally encapsulated in protective, tamper-evident holders, often referred to as slabs. These holders are typical
54. slabbed hoardCoins & Currency
    A slabbed hoard refers to a collection of coins that have been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a third-party grading service. These services authenticate the coins and assign a numerical grade reflecting th
55. slabbed itemReselling
    A slabbed item is merchandise, such as trading cards, comics, or collectibles, that has been professionally graded and sealed within a protective, tamper-evident plastic case, often called a "slab." Grading services assi
56. slabbed lotCoins & Currency
    A slabbed lot refers to a group or collection of coins that have been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. These services authenticate the coins, assign a numerica
57. slabbed noteCoins & Currency
    A slabbed note refers to paper currency that has been professionally encapsulated in a tamper-evident, protective plastic holder, often provided by grading services like PMG or PCGS. This process involves experts assessi
58. slabbed note typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to a banknote that has been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party authentication service, often placed inside a protective plastic holder known as a slab. These services assess the note's con
59. slabbed paperCoins & Currency
    This refers to paper currency that has been professionally encapsulated in a protective, tamper-evident holder, often referred to as a slab. Grading services like PCGS or PMG will assign a numerical grade to the note, in
60. slabbed paper typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to paper currency that has been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a third-party grading service. These services authenticate the note's genuineness, assess its condition (e.g., Uncirculated, Extre