GreatCollections is pleased and honored to offer a very special coin - the first prototype of PCGS. Donated by PCGS founder John Dannreuther, 100% of the proceeds of this auction, including the full buyer's fee, will be donated to the Witter Coin University, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. 'I remember the meeting we had very clearly,' recalled Dannreuther. 'We were in one of our hotel rooms after a coin show in 1985. We had a meeting night after night after the bourse closed to discuss our 'book research project' that turned into PCGS. David [Hall] walks in and holds up the very first slabbed coin and announces, 'instead of writing books about coins, let’s do something revolutionary. We can grade and encapsulate coins and guarantee them.' We instantly knew this was going to be the future of the coin industry.' The coin used was simply a circulated quarter dated 1982, likely from David Hall’s pocket at the time. The green PCGS label is blank on one side, and has “PROFESSIONAL/COIN/GRADING/SERVICE” printed on the reverse. This prototype was mentioned in a roundtable discussion hosted by CoinWorld in 2016 featuring PCGS founders David Hall, Van Simmons, Gordon Wrubel and Dannreuther, where it was mentioned as likely the very first encapsulated coin. Dannreuther went on to explain how he considered the moment David Hall presented the prototype holder to be the birth of PCGS. PCGS started grading and encapsulating coins in 1986 with the 108 serial number prefix using white labels. It was their original intent to launch with the green label, however, when the operations staff went to print from the green paper stock, the printer would jam, and so they had to start with white printed labels. A week or so later, the printer issue was fixed, and they continued with green labels. The 108-prefix coins with the white label sell for substantial premiums to collectors who have come to appreciate how much PCGS has changed the collecting community. On June 4, 2023, GreatCollections auctioned a 1955 Franklin Half Dollar White Rattler PCGS Holder, serial number 1080286 for $9,592 - almost 100x the PCGS Price Guide value of $115. Witter Coin University encourages all YNs from ages 13 to 21 to apply next year for a scholarship. Please visit wittercoinfund.com for more information and if you would like to make a donation to the program. The Witter Coin Scholarship Fund is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. All donations are fully tax deductible. GreatCollections will assist the winning bidder with a formal appraisal of this coin. Generally speaking, donors who purchase items at a charity auction may claim a charitable contribution deduction for the excess of the purchase price paid for an item over its fair market value. GreatCollections does not offer tax advice and recommends bidders contact their own tax professional.