FAQs
American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS) 1979, Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) 1986, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) 1987, and Independent Coin Graders (ICG) 1998, are the most popular and well-known services. Together they have certified over 100 million coins.
What is the best grading system for coins? ›
Coins are graded on a 70-point grading scale with 1 being the worst condition and 70 being perfect mint state. The naming conventions can also lead to confusion, such as the grade of "Good" being a 4 out of 70 while "Fine" is 12.
What is the easiest way to get coins graded? ›
You can get your coins professionally graded by a third-party grading service. There are several reputable grading services that specialize in authenticating and grading coins based on their condition and rarity. Some of the most well-known grading services include: Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)
Can I get a coin graded for free? ›
When you visit the Photograde section of the PCGS site, you select the category and series of your coin. PCGS provides obverse and reverse images of your coin in all grades. Photograde is free, and does not require a PCGS membership.
Is there a free app to scan coins for value? ›
Coin Identifier is a great tool for coin collectors or anyone who wants to learn more about different coins from around the world. The app is free and easy to use, so you can start identifying coins today!
Can PCGS be trusted? ›
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the most respected name in third-party coin certification. By establishing a universal grading standard, PCGS has paved the way for coin enthusiasts to enjoy buying and selling coins with confidence.
Are coin grading apps accurate? ›
CoinFacts (PCGS mobile app)
PCGS claims they're the industry standard for grading and valuing coins, and most users agree. One of their most popular is “CoinFacts.” The app is 100% free and provides accurate, up-to-date information on the pricing and value of different coins.
What is the average cost to grade a coin? ›
| Service Tier (Maximum Coin Value) | Grading Fee | Reholder Fee |
|---|
| Modern Walkthrough (coin value up to $125,000) | $100 | $50 |
| Modern Express (coin value up to $10,000) | $35 | $25 |
| Modern Standard (coin value up to $3,000) | $18 | $10 |
Just as there are some collectors who simply prefer coins certified by NGC, there are some who are more partial towards PCGS. Today, PCGS is trusted as one of the world's most reliable coin grading services. This reflects their original mission to bring a level of consistency to grading that could be guaranteed.
How long does it take PCGS to grade a coin? ›
Estimated Submission Turnaround Time
| Service | Estimated Turnaround Time |
|---|
| Express | 20 business days |
| Regular | 50 business days |
| Economy | 60 business days |
| Modern | 60 business days |
1 more rowThe more valuable the coin is, the more it costs to have it graded. Grading a common coin worth $150 costs $20. Grading a rare coin worth $50,000 costs $125. It is a much better value to get expensive coins graded than it is to get common coins graded.
Can I grade my own coins? ›
Although it is possible to learn to grade coins yourself, it will take years of experience to do it correctly. In our experience, many collectors think their coins are in a better condition than they actually are � so always be on your guard.
How much is it to submit a coin to PCGS? ›
GUARANTEE RESUBMISSION: If you have a PCGS-graded coin that you feel is overgraded, misattributed, or counterfeit, submit the coin to PCGS through the Guarantee Resubmission Service. A fee of $25 per coin must accompany all submissions through this service (Standard or Gold Shield).
How do I find out what my coins are worth? ›
Hire a professional appraiser to grade your coins and tell you how much it is worth. The American Society of Appraisers and International Society of Appraisers have searchable directories of professional appraisers. A dealer might also be able to help.
Which is better PCGS or NGC? ›
While both services are highly respected and offer a guarantee of authenticity, PCGS is generally considered to be the industry standard for grading rare and valuable coins.
Which is better, ANACS or NGC? ›
A long-time collector ranked the services as follows: (1) NGC because of a faster turnaround time; (2) PCGS, which would have been #1 except for their tardiness in returning coins; (3) ANACS but “only for 20th century and less expensive coins”; (4) ICG “don't know how they are doing currently”; and (5) CAC “do we ...
What is the most reliable grading company? ›
Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is widely considered the most popular card grading service, offering a diverse range of options that cover everything from cards to autographs, accommodating a variety of items for grading.
Is PSA and PCGS the same company? ›
— Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and its subsidiary Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), announced today they have merged with Superior Sports Auctions, Kingswood Coin Auctions, Lyn Knight Currency Auctions, Good Rockin' Tonight, and the Collectors Universe Internet sites to form Collectors Universe, ...
