Several coin grading services are available, and the “cheapest” option can depend on various factors like the value of the coin, desired turnaround time, and whether or not you’re willing to become a member of a grading company.
Here’s a breakdown of the cheapest options:
- Generally considered the most affordable option, especially for error coins.
- Basic services start around $20 per coin.
- They sometimes offer specials, including deals at $10 per coin, with no membership required.
- ANACS also grades any type of coin and doesn’t require a membership for submissions.
- However: ANACS is sometimes perceived as a tier below NGC or PCGS in market trust.
- Offers affordable grading starting at $25 per coin.
- They are known for their quick turnaround times.
- ICG does not require a membership fee to submit coins.
- However: ICG is considered slightly lower in market recognition than ANACS, NGC, or PCGS.
- This is a strong option for getting coins graded by the industry leaders (NGC and PCGS) at potentially lower rates.
- They have partnerships with both NGC and PCGS, offering discounted rates through their “Grade & Auction Program”.
- For instance, NGC Economy service through GreatCollections is $18, while PCGS Economy is $20.
- You won’t need to purchase a separate membership for NGC or PCGS.
- While considered the industry leaders, NGC and [PCGS] offer “economy” service levels for lower-value coins.
- NGC Economy : $23 for non-gold pre-1990 coins valued up to $300.
- PCGS Economy : $22 for coins valued under $300.
- However: Both NGC and PCGS require purchasing an annual membership to submit directly, which adds to the overall cost. The turnaround times for economy services are also significantly longer than standard services.
In summary, for the absolute cheapest grading, ANACS and ICG are the likely choices, especially if you’re not concerned about maximizing resale value or prefer to avoid memberships. If you want the reputation of [PCGS] or NGC without the membership fee, explore submitting through a third-party like GreatCollections.
Which coin grading company is the cheapest?
Great question! ANACS: Known for error coin grading; starts around $20 for basic services.
ICG (Independent Coin Graders): Offers affordable grading starting at $25 per coin.
PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service): Renowned in the industry; grading starts around $35.
Can I get my coins 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?
NGC typically offers lower base pricing, while PCGS pricing reflects their market premium position.
What is the average cost to have a coin graded?
I can help with that. The PCGS grading cost for a standard U.S. coin is generally between $22 and $150 (depends on the coin’s value and the service level).