The cost of getting a coin graded by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) depends on several factors, including:
- NGC membership: You need an NGC Collectors Society paid membership to submit coins directly. The minimum membership level to submit coins is Associate, which costs $25 per year.
- Grading tier: NGC offers different grading tiers with varying fees based on the coin’s fair market value and desired turnaround time.
– Economy: For non-gold coins minted before 1990, valued up to $300, the fee is $23, with a turnaround time of 20-60 business days.
– Standard: For coins valued up to $3,000, the fee is $40, with a turnaround time of 10-32 business days.
– Gold: For gold coins valued up to $3,000, the fee is $35, with a turnaround time of 5-10 business days.
– Modern: For coins struck from 1965 to present (excluding patterns or die trials) valued up to $3,000, the fee is $19, with a turnaround time of 10-25 business days.
– Express: For coins valued up to $10,000, the fee is $80, with a turnaround time of 3 business days.
- Add-on services: Services like special labels, variety attribution, or conservation add to the cost.
- Handling fee: A $10 handling fee applies to all submissions.
- Return shipping: You’ll also need to factor in return shipping and insurance costs, which can range from $28 to $150 or more, depending on your coin’s value and insurance needs.
To illustrate, if you have a non-gold coin minted before 1990, valued under $300, and choose the Economy tier, the minimum cost would be approximately $86:
- $25 (Associate membership)
- $23 (Economy grading fee)
- $10 (Handling fee)
- $28 (Minimum return shipping estimate)
It’s important to consider if the cost of grading outweighs the potential increase in the coin’s market value, [according to Mountain View US and Foreign Coins] . Grading is typically recommended for key dates, rare coins, or high-grade examples, rather than common or low-value pieces. You can find more detailed pricing information and submission instructions on the official NGC website.
