Both NGC and PCGS offer encapsulation slabs that feature pedigree labels from famous collections, hoards or historical numismatic discoveries. While theoretically they do not increase the value of the coin inside the slab, they do increase the desirability of the coin given the historical connection. There are dozens of special labels to be found, only a few mentioned here.

Perhaps the most often encountered and best know pedigree label is that of the Carson City Morgan Dollars with the GSA designation. That hoard of Carson City dollars released by the Government Services Administration in the early 1960s has earned them a degree of collectibility over other CC mintmarked coins of the same years. Interestingly, those GSA coins sat in the Treasury Department vaults protected until their rediscovery 75 years later.

Famous collectors who have assembled outstanding mint cabinets of coins have had those collections later certified with special label designations to their pedigree. One need look no further than the Eliasberg, Norweb, Garrett, Pittman or Reiver labels to appreciate that those coins have appreciated significantly in their desirability if for nothing more than the person who assembled the collection years ago. As an autographed document from a famous person is desired, so are the coins held by a famous numismatist.

As an example, A common dated Morgan Dollar carries a significantly higher interest value if from the Redfield collection, more so than if that coin is from an original and somewhat "common" bank roll. Lavere Redfield's hoard of Morgan and Peace silver dollars was one of the largest known, after his death that collection sold for 7.3 million dollars.

Jules Reiver is best known for his written works on American Early Coinage, and coins associated with his collection carry significant premiums. While Reiver had many known condition census examples of Bust Dollars, he also had boxes full of  less desirable common early coins, still, they carry premiums given that personal connection. That common Barber Half in the Reiver label NGC slab is worth many times its normal like grade certified value given that attributed.

I am no stranger to wanting special labels myself, my interest is towards the NGC coins hallmarked as from the Battle Creek Collection. Original rainbow toned Morgan Dollars, discovered a few years ago in the basement of a bank in Battle Creek Michigan. There are 1400 coins that carry a special label premium as that label in this case speaks to the originality of the toning, a pedigree of authentic toning in a day when some less than honest "Coin Doctors" are able to artificially tone coins in a myriad of false but attractive colors.

Hoards from famous casino owners have not escaped the attention of numismatists, Binion and Fitzgerald being perhaps the more famous. Binion and his collection of silver dollars is strongly associated with his early Las Vegas casino and his having been the victim of a murder associated with that operation. Fitzgerald, his past involvement in smuggling alcohol during prohibition for an organized criminal enterprise, the so-called Purple Gang, then on to Casino owner.  Strange bedfellows to numismatic pedigree?

Beyond the dozens of collector specific labels are the ones that have more to do with technical details, unheard of on certification labels a few years back? VAM number attributions on Morgan and Peace Dollars, error coin designations of the most minute details on coins once overlooked as damaged.

PCGS has launched an entire new level of encapsulation slabs with its Signature Series, numerous famous individuals now autograph the insert cards, thus adding value to an otherwise mundane coin? US Presidents, Mint Directors, Sports Figures and Coin Designers all have a series of autographed slabs devoted to them.

The Royle Baldwin Collection of South African coins has gained attention, as will the Japan Ministry of Finance coins soon to be released under special label. Obviously more pedigree coin collections will follow suit. One of the most sought after labels of recent have been those of the famous shipwreck, SS republic. That shipwreck however turned up some coins that were so rare that in this case the label is a mute point. Interestingly, PCGS slabbed grams of gold dust with pedigree labels from that wreck, not coins but rather gold dust?

A special note concerning Fist Strike designation labels needs to be made. Although pedigree labels are a welcome addition to certification slabs, the First Strike designation label is truly meaningless. The US Mint has published information regarding the grading services using this term. That the designation has no specific meaning.

The US Mint does not release coins in the order in which they are produced. PCGS or NGC would have no idea if the coin encapsulated is first off the production line, or the last? PCGS and NGC nevertheless use that First Strike designation, but it serves no real purpose. Thus, it probably represents more the coins first certified by them and upon a special request to be so recognized with that designation. For additional information regarding this consult the US Mint Website and click on the Hot Items link, sadly eBay does not allow that link to be included here.

Special labels do offer some otherwise interesting twists in the pursuit of rare coins, why own a regular Capped Bust Dime when you can own the same coin from the Reiver collection?