The cost of grading a coin through PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) varies depending on several factors, including the coin’s value, the chosen service level (determining turnaround time and features), and any additional services requested.
Before submitting coins for grading, you must first become a PCGS Collectors Club member, with membership tiers available at different price points and benefits:
- Silver Level: Basic membership at $69 annually, including direct submission privileges and one year of PCGS Pop Report Online Access.
- Gold Level: Priced at $149 per year, includes 4 grading vouchers.
- Platinum Level: Premium membership at $249 per year, including 8 grading vouchers.
Once a member, the per-coin grading fees are determined by the coin’s declared value and the desired service level:
- Economy Grading: For coins valued up to $300, the fee is $22 with a turnaround time of approximately 70 business days.
- Regular Grading: For coins valued up to $2,500, the fee is $38 with a turnaround time of roughly 50 business days.
- Express Grading: For coins valued up to $10,000, the fee is $65 with a turnaround time of around 15 business days.
- Walkthrough: For coins valued up to $100,000, the fee is $150.
- Rarities: For coins valued over $100,000, the fee is $300 + 1% of the Guarantee Premium.
- Handling Fee: A $10 handling fee is applied to each submission.
- Return Shipping and Insurance: These costs are not included in the grading fees and will vary depending on the value of the coins and chosen shipping method.
- Additional Services: Additional services like variety attribution or TrueView imaging incur separate costs.
In summary, the cost of grading a coin with PCGS can range from roughly $91 (including Silver membership and Economy grading) for a low-value coin to several hundred dollars for a high-value coin requiring faster service. This does not include return shipping and insurance. It’s crucial to carefully consider the potential increase in the coin’s market value compared to the total cost of grading before deciding to submit it.
Can I get my coin graded for free?
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.
Which is cheaper, NGC or PCGS?
From my experience, NGC typically offers lower base pricing, while PCGS pricing reflects their market premium position.