Professional coin certification provides authentication and standardized grading that significantly enhances your coins’ value and marketability. The process involves submitting your coins to established grading services where expert numismatists examine, authenticate, and assign official grades based on condition and rarity.
The certification process typically takes several weeks and results in your coins being sealed in tamper-evident holders with guaranteed grades. This professional assessment makes buying, selling, and insuring coins much easier while protecting against counterfeits and disputes about condition.
What is Coin Certification?
Professional coin certification represents one of the most significant developments in modern numismatics. This process involves independent third-party services that examine, authenticate, and grade coins according to established industry standards. Unlike personal opinions or informal assessments, certified coins receive official documentation that’s recognized throughout the collecting community.
Independent coin grading and certification began in the mid-1980s with the founding of major grading services. These organizations revolutionized the coin market by creating standardized grading criteria that eliminated much of the subjectivity previously associated with coin evaluation. Before professional certification, collectors and dealers often disagreed about coin conditions, leading to disputes and market inefficiencies.
The certification process involves several critical steps. Expert numismatists first authenticate each coin to verify it’s genuine rather than a counterfeit or altered piece. They then grade the coin according to the Sheldon Scale, which assigns numerical grades from 1 to 70 based on wear, luster, and overall eye appeal. Finally, authentic coins are sealed in tamper-evident holders with detailed labels showing the official grade and certification number.
Dr. William Sheldon, a renowned numismatist, developed the Sheldon Scale in 1948, originally assigning grades from “1” through “70” to coins. His theory suggested that a coin grading “70” should be worth seventy times more than one grading “1.” While this mathematical relationship doesn’t hold perfectly in today’s market, the scale remains the foundation for modern coin grading.
Understanding the Grading Scale
The modern grading system combines numerical ratings with descriptive terms:
Mint State (MS-60 to MS-70): Uncirculated coins with no wear from circulation About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58): Slight wear on highest points Extremely Fine (EF-40 to EF-45): Light wear on design elements Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35): Moderate wear but major details clear Fine (F-12 to F-15): Considerable wear with readable legends
Coins that are carefully preserved will nearly always be ranked highest on the grading scale. The difference between grades can dramatically impact value – sometimes a single point increase can double a coin’s worth.
Why Get Coins Certified?
Professional certification transforms how you buy, sell, and enjoy coins by providing authentication and standardized assessment that eliminates guesswork. The primary benefit involves protection against increasingly sophisticated counterfeits that can fool even experienced collectors. Professional authentication uses advanced techniques including visual examination and scientific analysis to verify authenticity with certainty.
Certification dramatically improves marketability when selling coins. Certified coins can be traded sight unseen with complete confidence in their grade and authenticity. This creates liquid markets where buyers can purchase online or through auctions without physically examining pieces first, often resulting in premium prices compared to uncertified examples.
The official guarantee of authenticity and condition assessment provides peace of mind for both buyers and sellers. Insurance companies prefer certified coins because professional assessment establishes documented value for coverage purposes. This documentation becomes particularly valuable for estate planning and tax purposes where official valuations are required.
Value Enhancement Through Professional Grading
Professional grading often increases coin values substantially, particularly for key dates and high-grade examples. The official certification eliminates disputes about condition and authenticity that can complicate private transactions. Buyers pay premiums for the certainty that professional grading provides, knowing they’re receiving exactly what they expect.
Market premiums for certified coins reflect the value of professional authentication and grading. Collectors and investors willingly pay extra for the peace of mind that comes with professional assessment. This premium often exceeds the certification expense, making the process economically beneficial for appropriate coins.
Protection and Preservation Benefits
Certified coins receive permanent protection through professional encapsulation in tamper-proof holders made of inert materials. This prevents environmental damage, handling wear, and eliminates any temptation to clean the coin, which invariably reduces value regardless of intentions.
The protective holders also display all relevant information clearly, including the coin’s grade, certification number, and any special designations or varieties. This creates a permanent record that travels with the coin throughout its ownership history, maintaining its documented status even as it changes hands multiple times.
Choosing Professional Grading Services
Several professional grading services operate in today’s market, though two companies dominate the industry and enjoy universal acceptance among collectors and dealers worldwide. Understanding the differences between major services helps you make informed decisions about where to submit your coins for certification.
The industry leaders each have distinct characteristics that might influence your choice depending on your specific needs and collecting focus. Both services maintain rigorous standards and provide comprehensive guarantees, but their approaches to pricing, turnaround times, and specialty areas can vary significantly.
Major Grading Service Characteristics
The first major service PCGS, was founded in 1985 with the goal of standardizing coin grading using established scales. Based in California, this service typically commands slight premiums in the marketplace, particularly for classic U.S. coins. Their population reports provide detailed rarity assessments that help collectors and investors understand relative scarcity.
This service offers unique features including high-resolution photography services and enhanced security measures for valuable coins. Their holders incorporate advanced anti-counterfeiting technology and comprehensive verification systems that buyers can access through online databases.
The second major service NGC, founded in 1987, operates from Florida and represents the largest third-party grading company by volume. They often provide faster turnaround times and competitive pricing while maintaining equivalent quality standards. This service excels in world coin expertise and offers extensive special label programs for commemorative and special issues.
Service Selection Considerations
Your choice between services often comes down to practical considerations rather than quality differences. Both maintain equivalent standards for authentication and grading accuracy. Consider these factors when selecting a service:
Cost versus value considerations: Some services charge less for basic grading but coins from certain services may command higher resale premiums in specific market segments.
Specialty expertise: Different services excel in particular areas like ancient coins, world issues, or modern commemoratives. Match your coins to services with relevant expertise.
Turnaround preferences: Services offer different processing speeds and pricing structures. Balance your timing needs against budget considerations.
Market acceptance: While both major services enjoy universal acceptance, certain collecting communities may show preferences for specific services based on historical relationships or perceived expertise.
Professional Certification Process
Getting your coins professionally certified involves several important steps that require careful attention to detail. Proper preparation ensures optimal outcomes and protects your valuable coins throughout the entire process from initial evaluation through final encapsulation.
Understanding each phase of certification helps you prepare appropriately and set realistic expectations about timelines and results. The process involves multiple quality control checkpoints where experienced numismatists examine your coins using standardized criteria and advanced authentication techniques.
Initial Coin Evaluation
Before submitting coins for certification, carefully examine each piece to determine suitability for professional grading. Look for obvious signs of cleaning, environmental damage, or significant problems that might affect the certification outcome. Professional graders will authenticate and encapsulate problem coins, but they typically receive “Details” designations rather than straight numerical grades.
Examine coins under good lighting to identify any traces of harsh cleaning or major damage. Problem coins can still benefit from authentication, particularly rare pieces where verification of genuineness provides value even without premium grading. However, understand that Details grades typically command lower market premiums than straight-graded examples.
Consider each coin’s potential grade and market value after certification. Research recent sales of similar pieces to estimate post-certification values. This evaluation helps determine whether certification expenses are justified by potential value increases.
Economic Viability Assessment
Professional certification involves various expenses that should be weighed against potential benefits. Service fees vary based on coin values, desired turnaround times, and additional services requested. Factor in shipping costs, insurance, and membership fees when calculating total certification expenses.
Generally, coins with lower potential values may not justify certification expenses unless they have special significance or authentication needs. Focus certification budgets on pieces with the highest potential returns or those where professional authentication provides essential verification.
Service Selection and Membership
Most major grading services require membership or submission through authorized dealers. Membership provides direct submission privileges and often includes additional benefits like price guides, population reports, and verification tools. Annual membership fees are typically modest compared to submission costs.
Choose appropriate service levels based on coin values and timing needs. Different service tiers offer varying processing speeds and price points. Express services cost more but return coins faster, while economy options provide slower processing at lower prices.
Submission Preparation
Proper packaging protects coins during shipping and processing. Use approved coin holders and follow specific packaging requirements outlined by each grading service. Incomplete or improper packaging can delay processing or potentially damage coins.
Complete submission forms accurately with detailed descriptions and declared values. Include any relevant documentation about provenance, varieties, or special characteristics. Accurate information helps graders properly assess and attribute your coins.
Understanding Certification Expenses
Professional coin certification involves various fees that vary based on several factors including coin values, processing speeds, and additional services requested. Understanding the fee structure helps you budget appropriately and select service levels that match your needs and timeline requirements.
Service fees typically correlate with coin values and desired turnaround times. Higher-value coins require more expensive service levels, while faster processing commands premium pricing. Additional services like photography, special labels, or variety attribution carry supplementary charges that should be factored into your certification budget.
Service Level Structure
Professional grading services offer tiered pricing based on declared coin values and processing priorities. Basic service levels accommodate lower-value coins with longer processing times, while premium services handle high-value pieces with expedited turnaround schedules.
Modern coin services typically represent the most economical option for contemporary issues and common coins. Regular services handle the majority of collectible coins with standard processing times. Express and premium services provide faster turnaround for collectors with time-sensitive needs or valuable pieces requiring priority handling.
Additional Fee Considerations
Beyond basic grading fees, several additional charges may apply depending on your specific requirements. Handling fees typically apply to each submission regardless of the number of coins included. Shipping and insurance costs depend on your chosen return method and total declared values.
High-value coins often require additional guarantee premiums calculated as percentages of final assessed values. These premiums provide enhanced protection and guarantee coverage but increase total certification expenses. Special services like conservation, variety attribution, or custom labels carry separate charges.
Economic Decision Framework
Evaluate certification expenses against potential value increases to determine economic viability. Consider not only immediate costs but also long-term benefits including improved marketability, authentication protection, and insurance advantages.
Generally, coins with lower potential post-certification values may not justify professional grading expenses. Focus your certification budget on pieces with the highest potential returns or those requiring authentication for security purposes. Building relationships with dealers who offer group submissions can sometimes reduce individual costs through volume discounts.
Which Coins Should You Certify?
to submit maximizes your return on investment and builds a more valuable collection.
Ideal Candidates for Certification
High-grade coins: Pieces that appear to be in exceptional condition, particularly those that might grade MS-65 or higher. The premium for high-grade certified coins often justifies certification costs.
Key dates and rarities: Scarce coins where authentication is crucial for marketability. Even lower-grade examples of rare coins benefit from certification because buyers need authentication confidence.
Valuable series: Coins from popular collecting areas like Morgan dollars, Walking Liberty half dollars, or classic gold coins where certified examples command significant premiums.
Potential varieties or errors: Coins that might have valuable characteristics requiring professional attribution. Expert examination can identify valuable varieties that might be missed by casual observation.
Coins That Don’t Need Certification
Common modern coins: Recent issues in typical grades rarely justify certification costs unless they’re special mint products or have unusual characteristics.
Low-value pieces: Most coins under $200 in value are not good candidates for certification. The certification cost often exceeds potential value increases.
Damaged or cleaned coins: While these can be certified, they typically receive “Details” grades that don’t command significant premiums over raw examples.
Building a Certification Strategy
Focus your certification budget on coins with the highest potential returns. Start with your most valuable pieces or those where authentication is most important. Consider market trends and collector demand in your decision-making process.
Develop relationships with dealers who can provide guidance about which coins benefit most from certification. Their market experience can help you avoid costly mistakes and identify opportunities you might miss.
After Certification: Next Steps
Once your coins receive certification, several paths open up. Many collectors choose to sell through established coin selling sites or local coin collector shops. Auction houses specializing in American coins value certified pieces particularly highly, and dedicated rare coin collectors networks often seek certified coins for their collections.
Proper storage becomes even more important after certification. While the protective holder provides excellent protection, maintaining proper storage conditions and keeping thorough documentation remains crucial. For expensive coins, consider appropriate insurance coverage to protect your investment.
Expert Tips for Maximum Success
Years of experience in the certification process reveal strategies that can improve your results and maximize the value of professional grading services.
Handling and Preparation Best Practices
Never attempt to clean coins before submission. As you might imagine, coins that are carefully preserved will nearly always be ranked highest on the grading scale. Professional graders can detect even gentle cleaning attempts, which typically result in “Details” grades rather than straight numeric grades.
Handle coins by their edges only, using cotton gloves when possible. Avoid touching surfaces, as skin oils can cause long-term damage that affects grading. Store coins in proper holders before submission to prevent damage during handling.
Research and Documentation
Before submitting, research your coins thoroughly using reference books, online databases, and auction records. Understanding your coins’ rarity and market values helps you make informed decisions about service levels and minimum grade requests.
Document any special characteristics or historical significance that might warrant special recognition. Provenance information can sometimes result in special pedigree notations that enhance value and marketability.
Building Relationships
Develop relationships with authorized dealers who offer submission services. Experienced dealers can provide valuable advice about grading potential and help you avoid submissions that might not meet your expectations.
You can submit coins immediately after joining NGC. However, dealer relationships often provide access to group submissions that can reduce costs and provide additional expertise.
Managing Expectations
Understand that grading involves some subjectivity, even among professional graders. Coins are graded according to NGCʼs grading standards, and a higher grade is not guaranteed. Fees are not refunded if a higher grade is not received.
Consider certification as a long-term investment strategy rather than expecting immediate returns. Market conditions, population changes, and collector preferences all influence certified coin values over time.
Technology and Authentication
Some companies have started embedding Near Field Communication (NFC) chips in their slabs, allowing instant authentication via smartphones. Stay informed about technological advances in holder security and verification methods.
Use verification tools regularly to confirm your coins’ database records. This practice helps you stay current with any updates or corrections to grading information.
Moving Forward with Your Collection
Professional coin certification represents one of the most important developments in modern numismatics, providing authentication and standardized grading that benefits collectors, investors, and dealers alike. Understanding the process, requirements, and strategies for success empowers you to make informed decisions that enhance your collection’s value and marketability.
The key to certification success lies in careful selection of appropriate coins, choosing the right service for your needs, and maintaining realistic expectations about outcomes. Certified coins are a representation of numismatic excellence. Through rigorous authentication and grading processes, these coins offer value and historical appeal that attract serious collectors and investors.
Whether you’re building a serious collection, preparing to sell inherited coins, or seeking authentication for insurance purposes, professional certification provides the credibility and protection that modern coin markets demand. Start with your most valuable or questionable pieces, learn from the process, and gradually develop the expertise that makes certification a valuable tool in your numismatic journey.
At Mountain View Us and Foreign Coins, we understand the complexities of coin certification and help collectors navigate this important decision. Our experienced team can evaluate your coins, recommend appropriate certification strategies, and guide you through the submission process. We’ve helped countless collectors maximize their returns through strategic certification decisions, and we can assist you in determining which pieces from your collection would benefit most from professional grading.
Remember that certification is just one aspect of successful collecting. Combine professional grading with ongoing education, market awareness, and careful storage practices to build a collection that provides both personal satisfaction and long-term value appreciation. Whether you’re just beginning your certification journey or looking to expand your certified holdings, we’re here to provide the expertise and support you need to make informed decisions about your numismatic investments.