Patent Publication Number: US-2007113451-A1

Title: Collectible holders

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/696,056 filed on Jul. 1, 2005 and titled “Collectible Holders” (Docket No. COIN/001 PROV), Provisional Patent Application No. 60/756,276 filed on Jan. 4, 2006 and titled “Collectible Holders” (Docket No. COIN/001 PROV2) and Provisional Patent Application No. 60/696,059 filed on Jul. 1, 2005 and titled “Collectible Holders Having Radio Frequency Identification Tags And Systems And Methods For Using The Same” (Docket No. COIN/002), which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Sportscards have been encapsulated by Professional Sports Authenticators (PSA) and coins have been encapsulated by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), both of which are divisions of Collectors Universe of Newport Beach, Calif. Collectors Universe encapsulates sportscards and coins by sonically bonding two slab portions to form a slab. One slab portion is laid on top of another slab portion with the sportscard (or coin), a label, and a two-dimensional hologram being sandwiched in the middle. The label contains text in the form of the name of the sportscard (or coin) and the grade that the sportscard (or coin) received from Collector&#39;s Universe. For sportscards, this grade is a whole number between, and including, 1 and 10.  
      The Collectors Universe slabs are deficient in a variety of ways. For example, only a minimal amount of information is provided on the label. Additionally, as a result of the slabs simply being laid one on top of another, the structural integrity of the holder is compromised.  
      Moreover, the security features associated with the slabs are inadequate. For example, PSA fixes a two-dimensional hologram to the label. The label and hologram are loose inside of the slab—even after the slap portions are sonically bonded together. Thus, a person may purchase a PSA  10  1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Card for $250,000, break the card and label out of the slab, fabricate his/her own slab, and encapsulate a lesser conditioned 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Card (e.g., a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Card broken out of a PSA  8  slab that cost $45,000) into the new slab with the loose label and two-dimensional hologram. The person can then send the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle from the PSA  10  holder to PSA and have it graded and returned in a brand new PSA  10  holder. The process can be repeated infinitely—each time netting the counterfeiter a substantial profit (e.g., over $200,000).  
      It is therefore desirable to fabricate a collectible holder that is structurally sound, allows for enhanced information storing capabilities, and includes numerous security features to prevent counterfeiting.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a collectible holder that is structurally sound, allows for enhanced information storing capabilities, and includes numerous security features to prevent counterfeiting.  
      A collectible coin holder is provided that may be configured to encapsulate a variety of collectibles such as, for example, one or more coins, stamps, currency, sportscards, autographs, photographs, books, manuscripts, sportscard wax packs, sportscard wrappers, sportscard boxes, books, or comic books. One such holder is fabricated from two holder portions. One holder portion acts as a sleeve that the other holder portion slides into. The two portions are then bonded together (e.g., ultrasonically or thermally) to provide a structurally sound holder that permanently encapsulates a collectible.  
      The insert portion that slides into the sleeve portion may have a trough, or opening, that is operable to receive a third holder portion (e.g., a collectible receivable portion). This third holder portion may be configured to hold any particular type of collectible (e.g., coins of various sizes, stamps, or sportscards). Thus, two of the three holder portions (e.g., a sleeve and insert portion) may be the same regardless of the type of collectible that is stored (e.g., regardless of the configuration of a collectible receivable portion).  
      The holder portion that acts as a sleeve may have a ridge protruding from an exterior surface. In this manner, a trough may be cut into an opposite exterior surface, and aligned with the ridge protruding from the other side, such that such that multiple holders can be stacked together.  
      In some embodiments, a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag is encapsulated in the holder with the collectible. The RFID tag includes information regarding the particular collectible. Moreover, the RFID tag includes an RFID identification number that increases security. A label and three-dimensional hologram is also provided and may be fixed directly to either of the slab portions. The label and/or RFID tag may be fixed to be self-destructing such that removal from a holder portion causes the RFID tag, label, and/or hologram to break into one or more pieces.  
      The labels may also have a color that is associated to a type of collectible (e.g., stamps may have red labels while coins have blue labels or cleaned coins or replica/altered cards may have red labels while original, unaltered coins/cards may have blue labels). Similarly, a portion of the holder may also be tinted a particular color, where the color is associated to a type of collectible.  
      The label may include a bar code. Such a bar code may be fixed to the front of the insert portion. By curving the top of the sleeve portion, such a bar code may also be scanned from above when the holder is standing vertically (as well as being scanned vertically).  
      A display (e.g., an LCD) may also be placed in the holder. Such a display may be coupled to, for example, a memory or RFID (e.g., via a processor or other circuitry) such that information stored on such an RFID or memory may be displayed to a user. If the RFID can be written to, the information stored on the RFID may be updated (e.g., the number of a particular coin in a particular grade may be updated). 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of a collectible holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of a collectible holder with an RFID constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of a collectible holder with improved label visibility constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is an illustration of a collectible holder with a self-destructing label constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is an illustration of a collectible holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is an illustration of a collectible holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7  is an illustration of a collection holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is an illustration of two stacked collectible holders constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is an illustration of multiple holder portions configured to receive RFID tags constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of multiple holder portions configured to receive collectibles constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is an illustration of a collectible holder with additional holder portion constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is an illustration of multiple label configurations constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 13  is an illustration of a collectible holder with add-on sub-holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 14  is an illustration of hardware and external components constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIG. 15  is an illustration of accessories constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 16-19  are illustrations of a slab constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and  
       FIGS. 20-23  are illustrations of a slab constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jun. 30, 2006 and titled “Collectible Holders Having Radio Frequency Identification Tags And Systems And Methods For Using The Same” (Docket No. COIN/002), U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jun. 30, 2006 and titled “Holder For Collectibles” (Docket No. COIN/003A), U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jun. 30, 2006 and titled “Holder For Collectibles” (Docket No. COIN/003B), and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed on Jun. 30, 2006 and titled “Holder For Collectibles” (Docket No. COIN/003C) are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.  
      U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/888,601 filed on Jul. 8, 2004 and entitled “Systems and Methods for Providing Information For Collectibles” (Attorney Docket No. AND/001) is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/485,832 filed on Jul. 8, 2003 and titled “Systems and Methods for Providing Coin Information” (Attorney Docket No. AND/001 PROV) is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.  
       FIG. 1  shows holder  100  in which comic book  155 , sportscard  154 , coin  151 , stamp  152 , currency  153 , or any other type of collectible or object can be encapsulated. Particularly, holder  100  includes holder portion  110 , holder portion  120 , and trough  111 .  
      Holder portions  110  and  120  may be encapsulated by, for example, a thermal or sonic bonding process. Accordingly, holder portions  110  and  120  may be fabricated from a polymer, such as a transparent plastic or acrylic. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that sonically bonding holder portions  120  and  110  together may provide a relatively strong bond such that to open the holder, the portions may need to be broken. Thus, sonic bonding provides a holder that can not be reused after the holder opened. In this manner, sonic bonding provides a high level of security so that the owner of the encapsulated collectible is protected from counterfeits.  
      Portions  110  and  120  may also be removably attached together. For example, portion  110  may snap to, or screw into, portion  120 . In doing so, a reusable collectible housing is provided in which multiple types of collectibles and other objects (e.g., RFIDS) may be safely stored.  
      Portion  120  may be a cap for sleeve portion  110  such that portion  120  does not substantially extend into sleeve portion  110  when bonded with portion  120 . Alternatively, portion  120  may be an insert portion such that a substantial portion of portion  120  extends into sleeve portion  110  when bonded with portion  120 .  
      Portions  110  and  120  may be completely, or partially, transparent. For example, only portion  150  (the face of portion  110  defined by trough  111 ) may be transparent. Accordingly, holder  100  may be configured such that any collectible stored in holder  100  aligns with portion  150  such that the collectible is visible through the holder. Label  161  may similarly be encapsulated around location  160 .  
      Similarly, portions of holder  100  may not be transparent. An RFID, for example, may be encapsulated around location  160 . This portion of holder  100  may be non-transparent such that, for example, a user has to break open holder  100  in order to determine the type of RFID (or component) that is housed in holder  100 . Thus, non-transparent portions may provide for a holder with added security.  
      Trough  111  may be provided to, for example, provide a stacking functionality in holder  100 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that trough  111  may generally be a intrusion into holder  100 . Such an intrusion may, for example, be the size of portion  150 . In such a case, the surface of portion  150  is protected from scratching as it is located in trough  111 . Trough  111  may be provided on the obverse or reverse side of holder  110 .  
       FIG. 2  shows holder  200  that includes protruding ridge  221 , holder portion  210 , and holder portion  220 . RFID  262 , label  261 , and hologram  263  may be encapsulated in holder  200 .  
      RFID  262 , label  261 , and hologram  263  may be fixed together in a number of various configurations as well as being fixed to any portion of holder  200  (e.g., a sleeve portion, insert portion, or collectible receivable portion). For example, hologram  271  may be glued to a portion of the surface of label  272 . Label  272  may, in turn, be glued to a portion of the surface of RFID  273 . Similarly, holo  271 , label  272 , or RFID  273  may be fixed (e.g., glued) to a portion of holder  200 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that affixing such components together (or to a portion of holder  200 ) may decrease the possibility of counterfeiting. For example, when a holder is broken, a hologram attached to a portion of the holder may not be removed and used in a counterfeit holder.  
      Ridge  221  is preferably located on the exterior surface of portion  210  that is opposite that of an associated trough (e.g., trough  111  of portion  110  of  FIG. 1 ). As a result, ridge  221  can mate with a trough on a similar holder such that the two holders may be stacked. Ridge  221  also acts as a protective structure (similar to a trough) to prevent objects from coming into contact with the portion of holder  200  defined by ridge  210 . Thus, ridge  221  decreases scratching to the portions of holder  200  that may align with an encapsulated collectible.  
      Generally, RFID  262  may be included in holder  200  in order to store information about the collectible protected by holder  200  and transmit this information wirelessly to a receiver. Doing so, provides the ability for numerous advantageous systems and functuality.  
      For example, a scanning gateway can be provided at the entrance to a convention. Dealers may be allotted particular times to use the entrance to unload collectibles into the convention. The scanner can be coupled to a computer. Thus, every collectible included in an RFID-enabled holder (e.g., holder  200  of  FIG. 2 ) can be read by the scanner/receiver and stored in the computer. As such, the collectible information may be utilized to generate an online store for the dealer. The dealer can then log into this online store and enter in pricing information for each collectible. The store can immediately publish to a webpage such that people not at the convention can buy collectibles at the convention. As such, a virtual convention is provided that mimics the actual convention. As collectibles are sold, the dealer can update the webstore.  
      The addition of an RFID to a collectible holder also provides enhanced security. For one, counterfeiters may have a harder time counterfeiting RFIDs than traditional labels. Moreover, each RFID can include an encrypted identification number that is unknown to anyone other than the entity that originally encoded the RFID. As per another example, RFID scanners/receivers can be placed at the exits of conventions and/or stores. Those collectibles that were not purchased (e.g., RFID-enabled holders that are still on a dealer&#39;s online store) can thus be detected and, for example, used to set of an alarm or alert security.  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that holder  200  may include a memory device, power source, transmitter, and other circuitry in order to store and transmit data about a collectible. Additionally, collectible holder  200  may include a receiver such that, for example, data may be written to memory stored in holder  200  (e.g., such that pricing information may be uploaded to a holder). Additionally, RFID circuitry may be printed, by an RFID printer, on a label the same time text (e.g., a bar code) is being printed on that same label.  
      Data about a collectible may include, for example, the collectible&#39;s name (e.g., 1884 Morgan Silver Dollar—$1), the collectible&#39;s grade (e.g., MS68), the grading company (e.g., ANACS), the date the coin was graded (e.g., Jan. 1, 2005), any type of additional information about the collectible (e.g., the original mintage or print run), the number of collectibles of that same type graded to date (e.g., 103), the number of type of collectibles of that same type graded that same grade (e.g., 10), the specific identification number by the grading company for the collectible (e.g., 345981112), additional specific information by the grading company (e.g., internal category number associated to type of collectible such as 6907.68), and any other type of information. Such additional information may include, for example, information that may not be able to be printed on a label because of size concerns. Thus, such information may include an extensive history of the collectible, populations for the collectible in a variety of grades, historic pricing information for the collectible in a variety of grades, information about the encapsulation authority (e.g., ANACS contact information), and information about the components of the holder (e.g., information about RFID such as type and version).  
      Holder  200  may be utilized by a variety of entities in addition to grading entities. For example, authenticating entities may utilize holder  200  to store a collectible after the collectible has been determined to be authentic (e.g., after an autograph on an index card has been authenticated). Store owners and dealers may also utilize holder  200  to, for example, encapsulate their collectible products to reduce theft and increase the amount of information displayed to a potential buyer for a collectible.  
      Collectors may also utilize holder  200  to protect a collectible as well as store additional information about a collectible that can be wirelessly transmitted. As such, RFID readers and encoders can be distributed to collectors. For example, a kit may be fabricated that includes a reader/encoder, a number of RFID tags (e.g., 100), a number of holders  200  (e.g., 25), and software such that the collector may be provided with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) to enter in and modify information for encoding.  
       FIG. 3  shows holder perspectives  300 . Particularly,  FIG. 3  shows holder perspectives  301  and  302  that includes curved slab portions  330  and  331 , respectively. Slab portions  330  and  331  are curved such that, for example, a label may be scanned by barcode reader  381  from multiple directions (e.g., directions  382 ,  383 , and  384 ). As a result, multiple holders having curved slab portions may be stacked and the bar code can be read while the holder is stacked. Thus, only a single label is needed to display information. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an insert portion of a holder may be curved similar to the curve of the sleeve portion of a holder such that the label is curved when fixed to the insert (or sleeve) portion. As labels may include RFIDs (or other circuitry), RFID reader and/or encoder  385  is provided.  
      Holder  300  may be stacked, for example, as a result of the structural attributes of the exterior sleeve. For example, trough  311  may be provided to mate with a structure similar to ridge  321 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that ridge  321  may include numerous segments of ridges. Similarly trough  311  may include numerous segments of troughs.  
       FIG. 4  shows holder  400  that includes insert portion  402  and sleeve portion  401 . Insert portion  402  is configured to receive a collectible into collectible receivable portion  422 . After a collectible is received, insert portion  402  is inserted into, and bonded to, sleeve portion  401 . Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that if portion  401  and  402  are fabricated from, for example, a hard acrylic that sleeve portions  402  and  401  can be coupled together by ultrasonic bonding. Such bonding can be provided in a number of areas—such as where portion  423  meets sleeve portion  401 .  
      A label and/or RFID may be fixed to insert portion  460  (or a portion of exterior sleeve  401  that aligns with portion  460 ). Such labels and/or RFIDs may be self-destructive such that the labels and/or RFIDS break apart when removed from a holder portion. A self-destructive label and/or RFID may be provided in a variety of ways. For example, label  481  may be adhered to slab  486  at portions  485  as shown in configuration  485 . The adhesive may be, for example, a glue that bonds label  481  to  486  such that when label  481  is removed, the portions of label  485  aligned with adhesive portions  485  stay fixed to slab  486 . Such adhesive portions may cover the label in, for example, a checkerboard type configuration as shown in label  482  that includes non-adhesive portion  484  and adhesive portion  483 ). Similarly, the adhesive can be included in a variety of shapes such as, for example, a company logo. Multiple adhesives may be used on a single label having multiple bonding strengths.  
      Label configuration  490  shows label  491  fixed to slab  498 . Here, the slab has adhesive portions (e.g., portions  499 ) that are staggered with the adhesive portions of the label. For example, label  491  may have an adhesive pattern similar to the pattern of portions  493  of surface  492 , while slab  491  may have an adhesive pattern similar to the pattern of portions  494  of surface  492 . Such a configuration may increase the amount that a label (or RFID) breaks when removed from a slab (or other component). Alternatively, label  491  may have two (or more) adhesive patterns—each one having a different bonding strength. For example, label  491  may have an adhesive with one bonding strength at portions  493  and a second adhesive with a second bonding strength at portions  494 .  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the adhesive patterns of configurations  480  and  490  may also be utilized for a hologram. Such a hologram may be, for example, a two or three dimensional hologram of a company logo.  
       FIG. 5  shows holder  500  that includes insert portion  501  and sleeve portion  502 . When insert portion  501  is placed in sleeve portion  502 , insert portion  501  is surrounded by sleeve portion  502  on all sides except for one surface (e.g., surface  510 ).  
      A portion of insert portion  501  may be sculpted to fit an RFID chip or other circuitry (e.g., portion  581 ). Such a portion may be, for example, as deep as an RFID chip is tall (or other circuitry). Such Sculpting may be provided by providing a frame to define portion  581  (and include structural support frames  582  and  584 ). In providing a frame, the thickness of insert slab  501  in the proximity of portion  581  may be thinned—thus cutting down costs. Alternatively, a frame may not be provided (e.g., sections defining the frame, such as sections  583  and  585 , may be filled with the material used to fabricate insert portion  501 ).  
       FIG. 6  shows holder  600  that includes insert portion  610  that can be inserted into sleeve portion  620 . Insert portion  610  can include an aperture (or trough) for receiving a collectible receivable portion  630 . Collectible receivable portion  630  may have a variety of apertures (or troughs) of varying shapes depending on the type of collectible that collectible receivable portion  630  is operable to receive. Thus, for example, collectible receivable portion  630  may include aperture  632  of one diameter for a coin of one size (e.g., a dime) while a different receivable portion  630  includes an aperture having a different diameter for a coin of a different size (e.g., a quarter). As a result, multiple types of collectibles can be stored in holder  600  (e.g., basketball cards, coins, without having to change the molds for outer sleeve  620  or insert sleeve  610 ).  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the depth of aperture  332  may be less than the height of collectible receivable portion  630 . Particularly, collectible receivable portion  630  may slope down towards aperture  322 . Doing so may, for example, allow for a collectible to be stored without the risk of having the surface of that collectible touch the surface of sleeve portion  620 . Coin receivable portion  630  may be transparent such that, for example, the sides of a collectible may be viewed (e.g., the edge/side of a coin).  
      Collectible receivable portion  330  and/or insert portion  610  may include structures to connect collectible receivable portion  330  and insert portion  610  together. For example, one or more ridges  611  may be provided in either portion. Holes to receive such ridges may also be provided.  
       FIG. 7  shows holder  700  that includes insert portion  710 , sleeve portion  720 , and collectible receivable portion  730 . Collectible receivable portion  730  may include, for example, hole  751  to mechanically couple with, for example, a ridge on an insert portion (e.g., ridge  611  of  FIG. 6 ). Collectible receivable portion  730  may include additional holes (or ridges) that may be used, for example, to mechanically couple to ridges  752 ,  753 , and  754  of insert portion  710 . Person skilled in the art will appreciate that ridges  752 ,  753 , and  754  may be included and utilized to sandwich the end of a collectible receivable aperture—even those collectible receivable apertures without holes for coupling with ridges  752 ,  753 , and  754 . In this manner, ridges  752  may be spaced apart from ridges  753  and  754  at a distance approximately equal to the height of collectible receivable aperture  730 .  
      Collectible receivable portion  730  may alternatively be provided as a separate portion of the holder, but insert portion  710  may be fabricated to include the structures provided in a collectible receivable portion (e.g., a collectible receivable aperture).  
       FIG. 8  shows stacking configuration  800  that includes holder  810  and  820 .  
       FIG. 9  shows insert portions  900  that includes insert portion  910 , insert portion  920 , and insert portion  930 . Insert portions  910 ,  920 , and  930  include additional component receivable portions  911 ,  921 , and  931 , respectively. The types of components that may be inserted into component receivable portions  911 ,  921 , and  931  may include, for example, any number and any combination of RFID tags, compact flash, smart cards (e.g., the smart chips of smart cards), microprocessors, memory, circuitry, interconnect, input/output ports, displays, input controls, transmitters (e.g., wireless or non-wireless transmitters), and receivers (e.g., wireless or non-wireless receivers.  
      Insert portion  910  may include a square or rectangle-shaped component receivable portion. Insert portion  920  may include a component receivable portion sized to the perimeter of at least a portion of insert portion  920  (e.g., the area between a perimeter and the aperture defining a collectible receivable portion). Insert portion  930  includes a circular coin-receivable portion.  
       FIG. 10  shows collectible receivable portions  1000  that includes collectible receivable portion  1010 ,  1020 , and  1030 . Collectible receivable portion  1010  includes a coin-receivable aperture. Collectible receivable portion  1020  includes two collectible receivable apertures (e.g., two coin-receivable apertures). Collectible receivable portion  1030  includes a rectangular/square receivable aperture that may be utilized, for example, to store a sportscard, book, currency, postcard, comic book, or other rectangular/square object. As the corners of a rectangular/square object are sensitive, the area around these corners may be opened. As such, opened corner portions  1031  and  1032  are provided in circular and rectangular/square shapes, respectively.  
       FIG. 11  shows holder  1100  that includes sleeve portion  1110 , insert portion  1130  (having a collectible receivable portion), and additional component receivable portion  1120  that is separate from insert portion  1130 . By having a separate collectible receivable portion  1130 , the additional components may be updated without utilizing a different insert portion  1130 . Additionally, if no additional components are needed, only the shortened insert portion  1130  can be used. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that all of insert portion  1130  may be insertable into sleeve portion  1110 . Accordingly, the portion of insert portion  1130  that stops against sleeve portion  1130  may be provided as a separate portion.  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that circuitry may be harmful to collectibles. For example, RFIDs are fabricated using chlorine. Traces of such chlorine reside in each RFID. Thus, an RFID may be encapsulated in an air-tight material such that the chlorine will not be able to escape and damage a collectible (e.g., a coin). Particularly, RFID  1127  may be encapsulated in holder portions  1126  and  1126  to provide encapsulated RFID tag  1125 .  
      The material of any of the components of holder  1100  may also be air-tight as well as protect against UV light. Mylar sheets, or any transparent polymer sheet, may be provided on both sides of a collectible in holder  1100  to further protect the collectible. Furthermore, mylar sheets, or any transparent polymer sheets, may be removable adhered to the exterior surfaces of sleeve portion  1110  such that a collector can replace a scratched sheet with an unscratched sheet without having to worry about scratching sleeve portion  1110 .  
      Instead of including a collectible receivable portion having a collectible receivable aperture, two sheets of a material (e.g., rigid or soft plastic) may be utilized to sandwich a collectible. One such configuration is provided as configuration  1140 . Here, sportscard  1138  is secured to holder  1137  by screws  1136 . Particularly, one or more screws  1132  and  1131  may be utilized to secure sportscard  1134  (or any collectible) between sheets  1133  and  1135 .  
       FIG. 12  shows label configurations  1200 . In one label configuration, three separate labels are provided as labels  1230 ,  1220 , and  1210 . Labels  1230  and  1210  can be used on the obverse and reverse side of, for example, an insert portion or sleeve portion. Label  1220  can be used, for example, on the edge of an insert portion (or sleeve portion), such as the top edge of an insert portion to display information when holders are stacked. Such a label  1220  may be utilized, for example, if the top edge of a holder is not curved.  
      Numerous types of information may be provided on a label. Any type of information that is stored on an RFID, or a memory, may be printed on any label of configurations  1200 . For example, bar code  1221  may be provided. Bar code  1221  may be representative of, for example, and of the information stored on an RFID, a memory, or a label. As such, bar code may be a number that is similar to an grading company&#39;s specific identification number for a collectible. The bar code could also be representative of the type of collectible (e.g., a Morgan silver dollar) and grade (e.g., ANACS MS68). Similarly, a label may include the year that a collectible was made as well as the production facility (e.g., in the case of a coin, the mint at which the coin was fabricated). Grading information  1222 , mintage  1211 , specific identification number  1213 , and hologram  1212  may also be provided on a label.  
      Alternatively label  250  may also be utilized and, in some cases, wrapped around the top edge of a holder such that the label displays information on both the back and front of the holder (e.g., the front and back of an insert portion). Such a label may include an extended bar code  1253  such that if the top of a holder is curved, the bar code can be easily recognized from both head-on scans and scans from above. Label  250  may also be cut at line  1252  so that two labels are provided or folded around the top edge of an insert portion (or folded around the interior top edge of a sleeve portion) at line  1252 . RFID tag  1251  may be fabricated and attached to a label (e.g., glued). Alternatively, RFID tag  1251  may be printed on, and with, label  1250 .  
       FIG. 13  shows holder  1300  that includes collectible holder  1310  that is operable to mechanically couple with component holder  1320 . Particularly, the exterior of collectible holder  1310  is operable to mechanically couple with the exterior of component holder  1320 . By including a component holder on the exterior of the collectible holder, updates (e.g., RFID updates) can be shipped to a collector and the collector can update the holder himself/herself without having to break open the collectible (and risk damage). Numbers can be printed on, or etched into, each of holders  1310  and  1320  to reduce the change of counterfeiting. For example, holders  1310  and  1320  can be printed with, or etched with, the same number. Person skilled in the art will appreciate that holder  1310  can also hold a component, such as an RFID. As a result, functionality can be added by the additional components without loosing the functionality of the components in holder  1310 .  
      For example, holder  1310  may include a first generation RFID operable to hold one amount of information. Holder  1310  may include a second generation RFID operable to hold a second amount of information. The second RFID may be purchased, along with holder  1320  to users that want to store additional information. Or, the second RFID may be purchased for the ability to access the additional information stored in the RFID through for example, an LCD located in additional holder  1320  (or holder  1310 ). Electrical connection ports may be provided between holder  1310  and  1320  such that holder  1310  can communicate to holder  1320 . As a result of an exterior holder, the functionality of holder  1310  is scalable and can be updated by anyone.  
      Holders  1320  and  1310  may be configured such that any mechanical coupling between the two is temporary such that holder  1320  can be removed with ease so that a new holder  1320  can be added. For example, holder  1310  may include rails and holder  1320  may include rail receiving structures such that holder  1320  can slide onto holder  1310 . Alternatively, holder  1320  can be bonded (e.g., ultrasonically) to holder  1310 ).  
      Component holder  1320  can hold any type of holder and may include a sleeve portion, an insert portion, and a component receivable portion). For example, holder  1320  may include components  1354  (e.g., an RFID), components  1353  (e.g., an RFID, monitor, circuitry, and a battery), components  1352  (e.g., a receiver, monitor, circuitry, and battery), or components  1351  (e.g., a memory, monitor, circuitry, and battery). Any component that can be stored in holder  1320  can be stored in holder  1310 . Any component that can be stored in holder  1310  can be stored in holder  1320 .  
      Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that some of the functionalities and structures of this specification may be included in any type of holder. For example, an RFID may be provided in a holder that includes two portions that are laid on top of one another to form a space for storing a collectible. Such portions can each have a trough for receiving have a collectible such that when the two portions are fixed together, a space is available for storing the whole collectible.  
      Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that holder  1300  may hold two or more RFID tags. For example, holder  1310  may be provided by one grading company and may include an RFID that stores information from that grading company for the collectible stored in holder  1310  (e.g., that grading companies&#39; grades). The ability to receive additional holder portions, such as component-receivable portions, allows for the user to submit holder  1310  to a second entity, such as a second grading authority, and receive holder  1320  that includes a second RFID that stores information from that second company for the collectible stored in holder  1310  (e.g., the second companies&#39; grades). Thus, holder  1300  allows for multiple companies to grade, or authenticate, a coin such that the coins condition, or authenticity, can be better established.  
       FIG. 14  shows hardware  1400  that includes holder components  1450  and external components  1410 . Holder components may include, for example, any number of power sources  1451 , output devices  1452 , memory  1453 , connection terminals  1454 , processors  1456 , music/video decoders  1457 , manual input controls  1458 , wireless transmitters/receivers  1459 , RFIDs  1461 , communication transmitters/receivers  1460 , or any other additional component or software  1455 .  
      Components  1456  may control, interact with, or be controlled by components  1410 . Components  1410  may include, for example, RFID reader and/or encoder  1411 , computer  1412 , server  1413  (e.g., a web-server), and database  1414  (e.g., a database remove from computer  1412 ).  
       FIG. 15  shows accessories  1500  that includes holder rack  1550  and holder base  1575 . Holder rack  1550  includes ridges  1541  that can be used to mechanically hold a holder in rack base  1540 . As shown, holders  1561 - 1566  are held upright in rack base  1540  by multiple ridges. Ridges  1541  may be spaced apart, for example, at a distance approximately equivalent to the width of a holder. Rack base  1540  may fit with rack top  1570  (which also may include ridges similar to ridges  1541 ). Rack base  1540  may include feet (not shown) that may fit into holes  1571  of rack top  1570  such that multiple racks  1550  may be stacked. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that due to the size of a collectible holder of the present invention (e.g., a coin holder), the number collectible holders that may fit into holder rack  1550  may be relatively large. For example, a rack that is approximately nine inches in length, three inches wide, and four inches tall may be operable to house twenty-five collectible holders (e.g., coin holders). This same rack may also be spaced such that the rack holds approximately twenty to twenty-five, for example, collectible holders (e.g., coin holders). Collectible holders that fit into this rack may be sized to be less than, for example, three inches in width and four inches in height, and less than approximately three-eighths of an inch thick (e.g., approximately 11/32nds of an inch or approximately 10/32nds of an inch). As such, a dealer may transport a large number of holders in a relatively small space. For example, suppose a dealer can carry two holder racks  550  while walking around a collectible show.  
      Holder base  1575  may be utilized to stand a single holder upright such that a single holder may be displayed to a user. Holder base  1575  may include a structure to snap onto, or provide force to, a holder. For example holder base  1575  may include a protruding structure that provides force against a collectible holder stored in holder base  1575  such that the collectible holder is forced against a side of collectible holder  1575 .  
      Holder sleeves  1590  may be provided to protect a holder from, for example, scratching. Such holders may be fabricated from a material that will not scratch the material of the collectible holder. Such a material may be, for example, a velvet or mylar. Transparent windows may be provided in such holder sleeves such that the collectible (and label information) may be viewed when stored). Such windows may be provided by, for example, a transparent polymer such as mylar. Velcro, adhesive tape, or static-cling polymers can be provided such that the holder sleeves can be securely closed after a collectible holder is provided in a holder sleeve.  
       FIGS. 16-19  show slabs  1600 ,  1700 ,  1800 , and  1900 , respectively. Slabs  1600 ,  1700 ,  1800 , and  1900  show two slab portions that align and mate with each other—sandwiching a collectible between them in the process.  
       FIG. 16  includes slab portion  1610  and slab portion  1640  that can be removably attached together to sandwich collectible receivable portion  1630  and label support portion  1620  between slab portion  1610  and slab portion  1640 . Slab portion  1610  and slab portion  1640  may be permanently bonded together via a bonding process such as an ultrasonic or thermal bonding process. Alternatively, the two slab portions may be, for example, glued together. Slab portions  610  and  1640 , when fitted together for example, may define a cavity sized similar to a collectible-receivable portion (e.g., collectible receivable portion  1631 ) as well as a cavity sized similar to a label support portion (e.g., or another portion). To define such cavity, ridges may be provided on the interior of slab portion  1640  and/or slab portion  1610 . Collectible receivable portion  1631  may, for example, include an aperture (or cavity) sized to fit a collectible of a particular size and shape. Thus, multiple collectible receivable portions may be utilized that have the same size and shape, but that have differently shaped collectible-receivable apertures. As such, the collectible holder may be utilized to store and display collectibles of varying shapes and sizes without the need for adjusting the size and shape of the collectible holder (e.g., just the collectible-receivable portion may be changed). A collectible-receivable portion may have an aperture operable to hold, for example, a coin such as a quarter, dime, nickel, penny, half dollar, or dollar coin. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any of the features of any slab of the present invention may be utilized with any other slab of the present invention.  
      The exterior of slab portion  1610  may include a ridge, or a trough, that may be utilized to stack multiple collectible holders formed from slab portions  1610  and  1640 . A similarly shaped ridge, or trough, may be provided on the exterior of slab portion  1640 . Preferably, these two ridge/trough portions align with one another when slab portions  1610  and  1640  are mechanically coupled together. As per one example, both portions  1610  and  1640  may include similarly shaped ridges (e.g., ridges that extend roughly around the perimeter overlying the cavity operable to house a collectible-receivable portion), but these ridges that extend from the exterior of the slab portions may be slightly different in size such that one ridge fits into another ridge. As such, ridge  1611  on slab portion  1611  of one holder may be stacked (e.g., mechanically mate with) a ridge on a slab portion similar to slab portion  1640  of another holder. As per another example, a slab portion may include a ridge that extends from the exterior surface of the slab portion while the other slab portion may include a trough/cavity that is operable to fit such a ridge. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that for at least these two examples, the collectible holders can only be stacked in one direction. In other words, the ridges/troughs of two slab portions  1610  may not be operable to be stacked together. Such a configuration assists in making sure that the slabs are all facing the same direction when stacked. As such, a user of a bar code reader, for example, does not have to be concerned with the barcodes being in the same orientation with respect to the reader if the collectible holders are stacked (e.g., and the reader is reading a barcode provided on curved portion  1621  showing through top-curved portion  1641  of slab portion  1640 .  
      Label support  1620  may include, or may not include, an aperture operable to receive an RFID (e.g., an aperture with a depth approximately equal to the thickness of a particular RFID). Alternatively, label support  1620  may not include an RFID-receivable aperture. One or more labels may be fixed (e.g., glued) to label support  1620 . For example, a label may be provided over substantially all of the front surface of support  1620  as well as the top of support  1620  (e.g., the area defined by curve  1621 ). A second label may be provided over substantially all of the rear surface (e.g., shown as having an RFID-receivable aperture) of the label support. A hologram may be fixed to the label provided on the rear of support  1620 . Some of the information about the collectible housed in the collectible holder may be provided twice on the label that is provided over the front and top of support  1620 . For example, the name of the coin and the grade of the coin may be provided both on the portion of the label extending over the top of the support as well as the portion of the label extending over the front of the support. In this manner, a user can determine the type of collectible (e.g., coin) when the holder is facing the user as well as when the holder is stacked (e.g., stacked in holder rack  1550  of  FIG. 15 ).  
      Slab portion  1640 , which may be the slab portion defining the front of the slab/collectible holder (as compared to slab portion  1610  which may be the slab portion defining the rear of the slab/collectible holder) may include ridge  1642  extending from the interior of slab portion  1640 . Ridge  1642  may be a common ridge that defined both the cavity for receiving a label support portion (e.g., the bottom of the cavity) as well as a cavity for receiving a collectible-receivable portion (e.g. the top of the cavity). Ridge  1642  may be curved and bottom  1622  of support portion  1620  and the top of portion  1630  may be curved similar to ridge  1642 . Bottom portion  1631  of collectible-receivable portion  1630  may be outwardly curved and shaped similar to the top portion of collectible-receivable portion  1630 , which also may be outwardly curved. The sides of collectible-receivable portion  1630  may not be curved (or may be curved). Similarly, supports (e.g., ridges) may be provided in the interior of slab portion  1640  that are shaped similar to the side portions of portion  1630 . For example, support  1643  may be the same length as side portion  1632 . The height of the support/ridges defining a cavity may also be similar to the thickness of portions  1620  and/or  1630 . The inclusion of a ridge as a support may be beneficial as open space  1648  may be provided in a slab instead of filled space (e.g., space  1648  filled with the material used to fabricate a slab portions). Such open space saves resources to create a slab—thus being environmentally friendly and decreasing the cost of the slab to fabricate. Side wall  1645  may be provided to support side  1623  of portion  1620 .  
       FIG. 1700  shows slab configuration  1700  that may include slab portion  1710  (e.g., a front slab portion, label portion  1720 , collectible-receivable portion  1730  and slab portion  1750  (e.g., a rear slab portion). Slab portion  1740  may include ridges  1741  and  1742  that may span the length of each side of portion  1740  near the edge of the side and may extend from the interior of slab portion  1741 . Such ridges  1741  and  1742  may mechanically couple with the opening provided by slab portion  1710  and the perimeters of both slab portions  1710  and  1740  may be ultrasonically bonded after slab portions  1710  and  1740  are mechanically coupled together (e.g., after ridges  1741  and  1742  fit into, and abut, the interior of the side walls of portion  1710 ). Ridges  1741  and  1742  may, for example, also extend around the bottom corners of the slab as well as span a portion (or all of so that one ridge is provied) of the bottom of the slab. Alternatively, ridges  1741  and  1742  may extend around the top corners of the slab as well as span a portion of (or all of so that one ridge is provided) the top of the slab. Similarly a ridge may extend around the entire perimeter of the interior of slab portion  1740 .  
       FIGS. 20-23  show slabs  2000 ,  2100 ,  2200 , and  2300 , respectively. Slabs  2000 ,  2100 ,  2200 , and  2300  show two slab portions that align and mate with each other—sandwiching a collectible between them in the process.  
       FIG. 18  shows slab configuration  1800  that may include slab portion  1810 , label portion  1820 , collectible-receivable portion  1830 , as well as slab portion  1840 .  FIG. 18  shows slab configuration  1900  that may include slab portion  1910 , label portion  1920 , collectible-receivable portion  1930 , as well as slab portion  1940 .  
       FIG. 20  shows slab perspectives  2000  that may include front perspective  2010 , rear perspective  2020 , side perspective  2030 , bottom perspective  1740 , and top perspective  2050 .  FIG. 21  shows slab perspectives  2100  that may include front perspective  2110  and rear perspective  2120 .  FIG. 22  shows front slab portion perspectives  2200  that may include, for example, front/exterior perspective  2210 , rear/interior perspective  2220 , and side perspective  2230 .  FIG. 23  shows rear slab portion perspectives  2300  that may include front/exterior perspective  2310 , rear/interior perspectives  2320 , and side perspective  2330 . The interior of slab portion  2320  may include, for example, ridge  2321  that extends from the interior of slab portion  2320  and that is sized similar to a collectible-receivable portion and aligned with the collectible-receivable portion cavity of another slab portion. As such, ridge  2321  may provide additional structural support. A ridge may also be provided that extends from the interior of portion  2320  that assists in providing support to a label support portion provided in a slab.  
      A coin holder, or any other collectible slab, may be sized to be, for example, equal to or less than approximately ⅜ths of an inch thick (e.g., approximately 11/32nds of an inch or approximately 10/32nds of an inch), approximately 3 and ¼ inch tall, and approximately 2 and ⅜ths of an inch wide. Such small sizes may allow for a large number of coin holders to be stored in a particular coin rack. Such small sizes may also allow for a coin holder to be fabricated with less resources (e.g., plastic/acrylic) and, as such, may be more environmentally friendly and inexpensive than larger coin holders.  
      From the foregoing description, persons skilled in the art will recognize that this invention provides a protection device for collectibles. In addition, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the various configurations described herein may be combined without departing from the present invention. It will also be recognized that the invention may take many forms other than those disclosed in this specification. Accordingly, it is emphasized that the invention is not limited to the disclosed methods, systems and apparatuses, but is intended to include variations to and modifications thereof which are within the spirit of the following claims.