PCGS and NGC are the two grading services most collectors and dealers trust, and a coin in a holder from either is generally easy to buy and sell. For most people the choice between them matters far less than the grade on the label and the quality of the coin inside. This guide covers what a grade is, how to read one, where the two services differ, and when grading is worth paying for.
PCGS and NGC at a glance
| Feature | PCGS | NGC |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 | 1987 |
| Grading scale | Sheldon scale, 1 to 70 | Sheldon scale, 1 to 70 |
| The holder | Sealed, tamper-evident, with a certification number | Sealed, tamper-evident, with a certification number |
| Check a coin online | Certification lookup on pcgs.com, plus mobile apps | Certification lookup on ngccoin.com, plus an app that scans the label barcode |
| Coins with problems | Authenticated and given a details-style grade | Authenticated and given a Details grade |
| Reference tools | CoinFacts and the PCGS Price Guide | Coin Explorer and the NGC Price Guide |
| Population data | Population figures by grade in CoinFacts | The NGC Census |
| Collector registry | PCGS Set Registry, free to use | NGC Registry |
| Association with the ANA | None that we know of | Official Grading Service of the American Numismatic Association since 1995, according to NGC |
| Fees and turnaround | Change often. Check the current schedule at pcgs.com | Change often. Check the current schedule at ngccoin.com |
The pattern in that chart is the point: the two services do the same job in nearly the same way. The differences are in tools, community and habit, which the rest of this guide explains.
What a grade actually is
A grading service does three things. It authenticates the coin, so you know it is genuine. It assigns a grade for condition. And it seals the coin in a tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab, with a certification number printed on the label.
The grades come from the Sheldon scale, which runs from 1 to 70. Dr. William Sheldon proposed it in 1949 for large cents, and it became the standard for all U.S. coins once PCGS began grading in 1986, followed by NGC in 1987. On it, 1 is a coin barely identifiable and 70 is a coin with no visible flaw under magnification.
How to read a grade
- Poor through About Uncirculated (up to AU-58): circulated coins that show wear from use. The higher the number, the less the wear.
- MS-60 to MS-70: Mint State, meaning never circulated. MS-65 and above is generally called gem quality. MS-70 is perfect.
- PR or PF-60 to 70: Proof coins, struck specially with mirrored fields and graded on the same scale.
Both services also add a designation, a plus sign or a star, to coins that sit at the top of their grade, and the premium for it can be real. A grade is a summary, not a guarantee of beauty.
What a "details" grade means
A coin with a problem, such as cleaning, damage, a repair or environmental corrosion, can still be authenticated. It receives a details grade rather than a standard numerical one, with the problem named on the label, and it sells at a discount to a problem-free coin of the same type. If a holder says "Details" or "Genuine", read why.
PCGS and NGC: what is the same, and what is not
More is the same than different. Both use the Sheldon scale, both seal coins in tamper-evident holders, both let you look up a certification number on their websites, and both publish population reports showing how many coins they have graded at each level.
The differences are mostly about market habit. The holders and labels look different. Each has its own collector registries and community. Some series trade at a small premium for one service over the other, and the gap depends on the series and the grade, so it is worth asking before assuming. If a dealer prefers one, that is usually habit and demand for that series, not a difference in honesty.
Check the holder before you buy
Counterfeit holders exist, so a slab alone is not proof. Look up the certification number on the grading service's website and make sure the date, denomination and grade match the coin in front of you. Compare the coin to the pictures on record where the service provides them. Buy from sellers with an established reputation, and be wary of a rare coin offered well below what graded examples normally cost.
Buy the coin, not the holder
Two coins with the same grade can look quite different. Strike, luster, toning and contact marks all vary within a grade, which is why experienced buyers still look at the coin. A separate company, Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), reviews coins that have already been graded and puts a sticker on those it considers solid for their grade. It is a second opinion on a first opinion, and some buyers pay for it.
Is it worth grading your own coins?
Grading costs a fee per coin, plus shipping, insurance and weeks of waiting. It pays off when the coin is worth meaningfully more once graded than the cost of grading it. That rules out most worn common dates and most modern bullion. It can make sense for scarce dates, for coins that look uncirculated, and for anything a dealer tells you may grade high; a Morgan or Peace dollar is the classic case, covered in what a silver dollar is worth. Ask a dealer for an honest opinion before you send anything off.
If a coin is already in a holder, leave it there. Breaking it out to resubmit is a gamble, and the grade it comes back with can be lower.
Selling a graded coin
A graded coin is easier to sell because a buyer can verify it in a minute and price it against published guides. Sell it in its holder, keep the label intact, and check recent sales for the same date and grade rather than asking prices. Our guide to selling a coin collection covers comparing offers.
Where we fit in
We do not list graded coins online yet. If you have PCGS or NGC coins you are thinking of selling, or you are looking for one, Thomas takes calls monday to saturday, 8am to 6pm, on (505) 518-2288.