NGC SLABS
BY
GENERATION
HA.com
I was inspired by the list of NGC holders put together by Conder101 some years ago. While that list included all manner of NGC labels used on various other holders like multi-coin holders, GSA holders and the like, I was just interested in putting together a set of standard slabs. I’ve done my best to find the most accurate information possible but it is possible I’ve gotten some things wrong. If you find any information incorrect for a given generation please feel free to contact me at generations@oldslabholders.com
NOTES:
I have made this open to the public so you are able to save a copy and/or download this “album” as a PDF.
If saved as a Google slide you can insert you own slab photos if you desire or modify as you like.
Except for Gens 1, 2.0 and 2.1 all other coins are mine.
(Updated 9/5/25)
Produced Sept. 1987 - Nov 1987. This 1st generation holder features a black insert. The white label was placed on rear and the logo on the front of holder. Current census figures put the number of survivors known at 49. This number will probably go up a bit as more are discovered over time.
Rarity
Very Rare
NGC Generation 1.0
***View Album of 1.0’s HERE***
(Updated 9/21/25)
Produced for about a month starting in November 1987 and ending in December 1987. This time frame included the Gen 2.1 slab which likely preceded this slab. This holder was created after it was realized that the black holder didn’t show well with dark and dark toned coins. This holder features the white label moved to the front on a white insert . The rear features an embossed gold logo on outside of holder.
Rarity
Scarce
Note: A census of this holder was begun in Sept 2018 and as of this edit there are 309 listed.
NGC Generation 2.0
***View Album of 2.0’s HERE (No longer updated)***
(Updated 9/21/25)
Produced in Nov. 1987. This holder features the white label on white insert and embossed rear logo on insert instead of outside of holder. It is now generally accepted that this holder was used before Gen 2.0 but since it is commonly known as Gen 2.1 I see no reason to mess with tradition. It is believed to have been in production for about a week. It is believed that this holder is more scarce than 2.0 but until sufficient time has passed for the census of 2.0 to give us a better idea, that is just a guess based on how often each type comes up for sale. Current census (started Jan 2012) puts the number of survivors known at 288.
Rarity
Scarce
NGC Generation 2.1
***View Album of 2.1’s HERE (No longer updated)***
(Updated 9/21/25)
Produced Dec 1987 - Aug 1989. This holder features a revised front label with a border. Originally a brown/tan border but some of the ink changed/faded to green*. The back of the holder retains the rear gold embossed logo. Even though this holder was produced for nearly two years, it is becoming more scarce as time goes by and commands a premium price.
Rarity
Occasional
*Note: Just as the brown border has much variation of color, so does the green. Occasionally you will find holders in mid transition with borders partially brown and partially green. Unfortunately they don’t stay that way and will eventually fully transition to green. I’ve had it happen to me. Also to note the green borders are seen less often that the brown.
NGC Generation 3.0
Produced Aug 1989-1992. This holder features the same front label as the Gen 3 holder but the back now has a hologram replacing the gold embossed logo for updated security. This holder is also found with brown or green border labels with the green labels being less common as well. While still fairly common it is seen less and less as time goes by.
Rarity
Fairly Common
NGC Generation 4.0
Produced about 1992 - 1995. This holder features a redesigned front label with an added barcode. It retains the same hologram as before. Last of the no-Line fatty holders. It is found with green and brown borders as well.
Rarity
Fairly Common
Note: As with the previous two generations the variation of color from brown and green is wide. Some even look grayish and others have almost neon green color.
NGC Generation 5.0
Produced 1995-1997 or possibly just throughout 1996. This holder shares the labels front and back with Gen 5 but is thinner and has the split or keyed insert.
Rarity
Uncommon
NGC Generation 6.0
Produced 1997 - Aug 2000. This holder shares the same basic front label with the Gen 6 but hosts a new smaller rectangular rear hologram.
Rarity
Common
NGC Generation 7.0
Produced Aug 2000 - Sept 2000 for 4 weeks. This holder features a revised front label with serial number moved below barcode. It also featured a slightly larger rear hologram than Gen 7. It proved unpopular and was quickly discontinued.
Rarity
Uncommon
NGC Generation 8.0
Produced Sept 2000 - July 2001. This holder features a return to the front label from Gen 7. It retains the slightly larger hologram from Gen 8.
Rarity
Occasional
NGC Generation 8.1
Produced July 2001 - July 2003. This holder features a restyled front label with the company name added to the bottom section of the border but retains the the rear label from the Gen 8 holder.
Rarity
Common
NGC Generation 9.0
Produced July 2003 - Aug 2003. This holder features a new front label with NGC's website and logo replacing the company name along bottom of border, the grade now in bold, and a different background design. It also features a new rear hologram with ANA's lamp logo.
Rarity
Uncommon
NGC Generation 10.0
Produced Aug 2003 - Nov 2003. This holder features a revised front label with NGC's website and logo replaced by the company name along bottom of border. It shares the rear hologram with the ANA's lamp logo with Gen 10.
Rarity
Uncommon
NGC Generation 11.0
Produced Nov 2003 - Nov 2004. This holder features the same front label of the gen 11 holder but has a redesigned rear hologram using the ANA's new crescent logo.
Rarity
Occasional
NGC Generation 12.0
Produced Nov 2004 - Sept 2008. Commonly known as Gen 17 when listed among all NGC labels and holders. This holder has a mildly restyled front label and an all new large rear hologram.
Rarity
Common
NGC Generation 13.0
Produced about Sept 2008- Dec 2008. This holder features the solid insert of Gen 13 but the front and rear labels from Gen 14. I read that this was made alongside Gen 14 upon request but I do not know for sure, It may have been a transition holder. In any case I am calling it Gen 13.5 as it doesn't appear to be a stand alone holder.
Rarity
Occasional
NGC Generation 13.5
Produced about Sept 2008 - Feb 2015. This holder features the EdgeView insert, it shares the front and rear labels with what I am calling Gen 13.5.
Rarity
Common
NGC Generation 14.0
Produced in 2012 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the original Gen 1 black holder. These black insert holders were available alongside the standard white insert holders on certain denominations of US coins. I thought they should be recognized along with the standard white holders, so I am calling this black insert holder Gen 14.1. I've left out black holders of later generations as they were used almost exclusively for bullion.
Rarity
Occasional
NGC Generation 14.1
Produced Feb 2015 - Oct 2015. This holder shares the front label with Gen 14 but features a redesigned rear hologram.
Rarity
Common
NGC Generation 15.0
Produced about Oct 2015- Nov 2017 This holder features a redesigned front label and retains the Gen 15 rear hologram.
Rarity
Common
Note: Gen 16 front label printing alignment varies. It appears to have three different positions. (See appendix fig. 1)
NGC Generation 16.0
Produced about Nov 2017- about Late 2021. This holder shares the front label with Gen 16 but features a newly designed rear hologram.
Rarity
Common
Note #1: Like gen 16, gen 17 front label printing alignment varies. It appears to have three different positions. (See appendix fig. 1)
Note #2: At the end of 2021, NGC changed its name to Numismatic Guaranty Company.
NGC Generation 17.0
Produced Late 2021 - Aug 2023 This holder features the name change to Numismatic Guaranty Company from Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as announced by NGC here. It appears that no other significant changes were made so I am calling this holder Gen 17.1
Rarity
Common
Note: I’ve noted two varieties of the NGC logo font on the front bottom right corner of the label. Type 1 is like previous labels. Type 2 has a revised font style (see appendix fig 2) Originally, I only noticed type 2 on gen 18 holders after NGC changed their website logo. I have since seen several gen 17.1 holders with it. I have no explanation why there are two varieties of logos.
NGC Generation 17.1
Produced from Aug 2023 - Present. This holder reverse features a new security hologram. The front label remains unchanged from gen 17.1
Rarity
Common
Note: I’ve noted two varieties of the NGC logo font on the front bottom right corner of the label. (see appendix fig 2) Originally, I only noticed type 2 on gen 18 holders after NGC changed their website logo. I have since seen several gen 17.1 holders with it. I have no explanation why there are two varieties of logos.
Also note that NGC stated that gens 17 (actually 17.1) & 18 would be made alongside each other for a period of time. (likely a couple of months)
NGC Generation 18
Appendix- Fig. 1
I’ve noted three main front label printing position varieties across Gens 16 & 17. Will it continue to Gen 18? I will update when they start showing up on the market in enough numbers to confirm. It may be common and just a printer alignment issue.
1. Low, tightest gap between barcode and company name
2. Mid, gap between barcode and company name between low & high
3. High, largest gap between barcode and company name.
NGC Gens 16, 17 & 18? Varieties
Appendix- Fig. 2
I’ve noted two logo font varieties across Gens 17.1 & 18. Type 1 has the tradition logo. Type 2 has a new font, that is a shorter and bolder type. The “new” Type 2 logo matches the updated logo on NGC’s website. NGC may have transitioned to using the second variety exclusively at this point with gen 18 but I don’t know that for sure yet. Also, as of this point I have not seen the variety 2 logo on a gen 17, just gens 17.1 & 18.
NGC Gens 17.1 & 18 Logo Varieties
Type 1
Type 2