Can you grade coins yourself?

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.

Can you grade your own coins?

There are four major professional grading services: PCGS, NGC, ICG, and ANACS. While collectors are certainly welcome – and encouraged – to grade their own coins, these four services are typically used to grade high-end examples of older or rarer coins.

Can anyone grade coins?

To receive an official and universally recognized grade, you'll need to visit a certified coin-grading service. In most cases, this will be one of two major organizations: theProfessional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and theNumismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).

How do you grade your coins?

Coin grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a coin, one of the key factors in determining its value. A coin's grade is generally determined by six criteria: strike, preservation, luster, color, attractiveness, and occasionally the country/state in which they're minted.

How much does it cost to grade a coin?

Coin Grading Costs

Grading prices vary according to the maximum value per coin. For instance, modern coins that are worth a maximum of $300 will cost from $17 to $22, depending on the company of your choosing. Coins with a maximum value of $10,000 can be graded for $65 to $80 dollars.

How To Grade A Coin Yourself To Determine Its Value

How can I get my coins graded for free?

PCGS Photograde Online is free, and provides detailed close-up photo images for 25 types of 19th and 20th century U.S. coinage issues in up to 12 different grades.

How do you get a coin verified?

To get a coin graded, contact a third-party certification and grading service like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and become a member so you can use their services.

Is it worth getting coins graded?

In nearly all situations, key date coins in uncirculated condition are worth having professionally graded; especially if you have multiple coins to submit. This will help to reduce the price that you pay per coin, when factoring in shipping and insurance expenses.

Is there an app to scan coins for value?

Coinoscope is a visual search engine for coins. Coinoscope makes coin recognition easy - just snap a picture of a coin with your phone camera and the app will show you a list of similar coins. Click on the coin to see additional information in the web browser of your phone.

Should I clean my coins?

There is no benefit to attempting to clean a collectible coin. Copper never re-tones to its original color and look anyway. Put down the polish before you destroy something historical and throw away a fortune.

Which is better NGC or PCGS?

Certified coins by the two top-tiered grading services command the highest premiums in the numismatic marketplace. The Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are rated as "Superior" by the Professional Numismatists Guild.

What is a MS 65 grade coin?

MS65. Coin shows an attractive high quality of luster and strike for the date and originating mint. A few, small, scattered, contact marks, or two larger marks may be present, and one or two small patches of hairlines may show under (5x+) magnification.

What does PCGS use to clean coins?

PCGS Restoration will remove contaminants that are determined to have been deliberately and artificially applied, including putty, grease and other substances used by "coin doctors." Restoration also will remove contaminants on the coin's surface caused by improper care or storage, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or ...

What does it cost to have a coin graded and certified?

The 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.

How do I get PCGS coins certified?

PCGS offers two different ways to submit coins either by (1) joining the Collectors Club or (2) going through a PCGS Authorized Dealer. Both will get your coins graded. Below are overviews of each method so you can decide which is best for your situation.

What happened to PCGS?

Collectors Universe, Inc., parent company of PCGS, operated PCGS Currency from 2005 until 2009 when it sold the banknote grading division to another company and licensed the trademark and brand name for 10 years until January, 2019 when the name and license returned to Collectors Universe.

How do you grade uncirculated coins?

Can you trust PCGS?

Because PCGS and NGC have been known to deliver consistent and conservative grading to coins, they are regarded as the top tier – with PCGS being the most respected grading service. Coins graded by these companies should be in their own company's holder with a grading certificate.

How much does it cost to join NGC?

Free, which allows access to online resources. Premium, which costs $149 a year and has all the Associate benefits plus a $150 grading credit with NGC. Elite, which costs $299 a year and has all the Premium-level benefits plus bulk submission rates and a 10% discount on NGC and PMG grading and NCS conservation fees.

Where is NGC coin grading located?

Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) is an international third-party coin grading and certification service based in Sarasota, Florida. It has certified more than 50 million coins.

What does MS mean in coin grading?

The most common are MS for Mint State coins and PF for Proof issues. MS refers to a coin struck for circulation—or in the same style as a coin struck for circulation. It also means that the coin grades between 60 and 70.