By Mike Sherman - September 1, 2016
Last time we reviewed the "No Grade" coins which we could not put into holders. These included coins with peeling laminations, PVC residue and suspected and actual counterfeit coins. There remain, however, a large group of problem coins which, while we cannot assign a numeric grade, we can declare as genuine, and put into a holder with an adjectival details grade.
Let’s take a look at some of these categories:
82 – Filed Rims
Back when coins were made of precious metals, it was not uncommon for unscrupulous individuals to file away a bit of metal off the rims of coins they owned. Over time, enough "shavings" could be accumulated and they would be able to reap a small reward for their illegal efforts. While punishable by death during ancient and medieval times, it was still quite a serious offense in the 18th and 19th centuries. The threat of prison, however, did not deter everyone and filed coins are still occasionally encountered in the marketplace. Another reason one may find a filed rim is the removal of evidence of mounting.
An 1852 Double Eagle, part of which may have been "borrowed" many years ago. See rim at top.
91 – Questionable Color
Most experienced numismatists appreciate the beauty of a spectacularly toned coin. Because toning is a natural chemical reaction, there are ways of accelerating the process as well as "enhancing" the results. These artificial means of creating toning are largely frowned upon, and if PCGS encounters a coin which we believe has been helped along in the natural toning process, we will not assign a numerical grade. A questionable color call can also occur if one tries to recolor a copper coin back to its original "red" color. Toning is also added in an effort to mask a past cleaning. Whatever the reason, collectors like their coins naturally toned over many years.
While spectacular rainbow toning is normally an asset, when it is artificially created, it becomes a liability.
92 – Cleaning
This is a tough category and the subject of much debate and discussion over the years. PCGS interprets cleaning as surface damage due to any form of abrasive cleaning. "Cleaned" covers a wide range or appearances, from a grossly polished coin to one where faint hairlines can be seen only at a particular angle or in only one area on an otherwise perfectly normal coin. This is perhaps the most frustrating of all the No Grades, because subtle cleaning is often difficult to detect in less-than-optimal grading conditions. "Dipping" (the removal of toning with a chemical bath) is not considered cleaning under this definition, unless it has been done repeatedly or improperly. In the past, many coins were cleaned by well-meaning numismatists, before the dangers were fully understood.
Harsh polishing has rendered this early quarter eagle almost worthless from a numismatic point of view.
Next time, we’ll look at a few more coins which we can holder but not numerically assign a grade to.
Series Links:
http://www.pcgs.com/news/no-grade-coins-pt1
http://www.pcgs.com/news/no-grade-coins-pt2
http://www.pcgs.com/News/no-grade-coins-pt3
http://www.pcgs.com/news/no-grade-coins-pt4
http://www.pcgs.com/news/no-grade-coins-pt5
http://www.pcgs.com/news/no-grade-coins-pt6
FAQs
Occasionally a coin will come into the PCGS Grading Room that simply isn't eligible for grading. A No-Grade coin might be one that is artificially toned, abrasively cleaned, has very large scratches, has been altered, or has been repaired.
How much does PCGS charge to grade a coin? ›
2024 PCGS Collector Services & Fees
| SERVICE LEVEL | PRICE |
|---|
| REGULAR | $40 |
| ECONOMY (Non-Gold, Non-Hammered) *World patterns and Chinese portrait/dragon/fantasy dollars must be submitted at the Regular Service Level or higher. | $23 |
| MODERN (1965 to date) | $30 |
| MODERN VALUE (1965 to date) | $17 |
19 more rowsJan 1, 2024
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.
What does ungraded coin mean? ›
All coins released from the U.S. Mint are considered raw, meaning ungraded, thus there is no guarantee of condition. This is true for their bullion/ mint state coins as well as their collector proof coins.
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 there fake PCGS coins? ›
While counterfeit detection obviously is important, such excellent information has been published in the recent past that the number of counterfeits being submitted to PCGS is minuscule. In fact, PCGS encounters only about 25 counterfeits per 10,000 coins, or an average rate of one quarter of 1 percent (0.25 percent).
Which coin grading is better NGC or PCGS? ›
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 PCGS grading take? ›
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 rowAmerican 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.
Is there an app to scan coins for value? ›
Helpful for coin collectors
CoinID is a great app for people who collect coins. You can take a picture of a coin and the app will quickly tell you what it is. It has lots of information about coins from all around the world, like how big they are, what they are made of , when they were made, and where they came from.
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.
Can I sell ungraded coins on Ebay? ›
What is the policy? Listings for ungraded coins and currency or raw currency: Must not include a non-approved grading company, numeric grade or estimated value anywhere in the listing and can't show an image of the item in a graded holder if the image shows a grade.
How can you tell if a coin is uncirculated? ›
Circulated coins will have scratches and wear from handling, while uncirculated coins will be free of these marks. Look at the coin's edge. Circulated coins often have nicks or gouges, while uncirculated coins have smooth edges. Look at the coin's luster.
Will PCGS grade a damaged coin? ›
Sometimes coins are damaged in counting or rolling machines. Nonetheless, damage is damage, and the coin cannot be graded.
How long is PCGS taking to grade coins? ›
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 rowQuickly Verify Authenticity & Quality
After you receive the coin or banknote, it should have the same PCGS certification number, grade and description. The Cert Number is the 7 or 8 digit number following the slash (/) on a standard PCGS Holder.
