The cost of having a coin graded varies significantly based on several factors, including:
- The grading company: The two major and most trusted grading companies are Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).
- The coin’s value and type: Grading fees often increase with the value of the coin.
- The desired turnaround time: Faster service usually comes with a higher fee.
- Membership: Most grading services require an annual membership for direct submissions.
- Additional services: Special labels, imaging services, and variety attributions can add to the total cost.
- Shipping and handling fees: These are typically charged per submission.
- NGC’s annual Associate membership starts at $25.
- PCGS annual Silver membership starts at $69.
- Economy options:
– NGC: $23 for non-gold coins minted before 1990 and valued under $300.
– PCGS: $22 for coins valued under $300.
- Standard grading:
– NGC: $40 for coins valued up to $3,000.
– PCGS: $38 for coins valued up to $2,500.
- Express grading:
– NGC: $65 with a faster 15-day turnaround.
– PCGS: $65 with a 15-day turnaround.
- More valuable coins: Grading fees for coins valued at $50,000 or more can exceed $125 or even reach $300+.
- Both NGC and PCGS charge a handling fee, typically $10 per submission.
- Shipping and insurance costs are also additional and depend on the value and number of coins.
An economy submission for a coin valued under $300, including membership and shipping, can start at approximately $86 for NGC and $123 for PCGS. These are the minimum costs for single submissions under the most basic service tiers.
- Grading is recommended for key date coins, high-grade examples, and valuable precious metal coins where certification significantly enhances market value.
- It is generally not recommended for common, low-value, or heavily worn coins where the grading cost might outweigh any potential increase in value.
- It is wise to research the coin’s market value before submitting and carefully weigh the potential value increase against the total cost of grading and associated fees.
Can I get my coins graded for free?
Good point! You can submit photos of your coins to us for free coin authentication and grading ! Here’s how it works: Take photographs of the coins you want graded. Make sure the coins are centered in the photo and hold the camera steady to avoid blurry pictures.
How do I know if a coin is worth grading?
Poor-1: Coin is identifiable only by its date and type.
Good-4: Most to all detail is worn flat, and the rims are also worn, but most lettering is visible, if not particularly clear.
Very Good-8: Design is worn, but has some detail and is not flat.