When Should You Get Your Coin Graded?

Key Takeaways

• Coins are graded to determine authenticity and condition.
• Grading is only necessary if it will significantly increase the coin’s value.
• You have inherited or received coin(s) and plan to sell them.

If you’ve been around coin collecting for any length of time, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the notion of coin grading. Grading services like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PGCS) and the National Guaranty Corporation (NGC) have issued official grades for more than 100 million coins during their collective times of service, and both organizations are considered the gold standards for certifying the condition, rarity, and authenticity of collectible coins.

In some cases, the coins you acquire may already be graded by one of these services. However, the ones you buy without preexisting grades present an obvious question. When should your coins graded by the PGCS or NGC?

When to Grade and When to Pass Checklist

Gauge Your Coin’s Value On Your Own First

Before you engage one of the two grading services mentioned above, you should understand independently what your holdings are. Use Google, post on Reddit, or visit a local coin shop to find out information about your coin’s year/mintage, the location of its mint, the possibility that an error is present (and know which one(s)), and that all three of its edges – obverse, reverse, and edge – conform to the accepted design parameters of your coin.

The more you know about your coin before you send it to the NGC or PGCS, the better.

Make Sure the Coin Is Worth Paying for Grading

You should consider getting a coin graded if the potential value outweighs the cost of having the procedure done. Both the NGC and PCGS charge between $20 – $70 for grading, depending on the rarity of the coin you submit, and some extremely rare coins may require an even greater expenditure.

You may also have to contend with a membership fee, depending on the level of service you want. Both organizations are for-profit entities, and they understandably give preference to customers willing to come further out of pocket.

Costs Associated with Grading

Here’s a breakdown of coin grading costs and ancillary fees, organized by service tier and for each major grading company (PCGS and NGC). These are estimates and we encourage you to look at the breakdown of information on the coin grading website.

PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service)

• Economy Service: $22–$30 per coin; for coins valued up to $300; turnaround typically 45–70 days; suited for lower-value coins, but expect longer waits.
• Regular/Standard Service: $30–$40 per coin; covers coins up to $1,000 in value; turnaround is usually 25–35 days and is the most common option for moderate fees.
• Express Service: $65–$150 per coin; for coins valued up to $10,000–$20,000+; turnaround is 10–15 days, offering faster service for a higher fee.
• Walk-Through/High Value Service: $300+ per coin; designed for coins worth $50,000+ and rare pieces; next business day turnaround for time-sensitive submissions.
• Handling Fee: $10 per submission, applies to all orders.
• Shipping/Insurance: $22–$150, based on total value and return transit arrangements.
• Membership (annual): $69 for Silver Level, required for direct submission.
• Special Services: Labels, photography, or conservation can add $5–$20 per coin. Bulk and dealer memberships may reduce per-coin fees.

NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation)

• Economy Service: $20–$25 per coin; coins up to $300 in value; turnaround is 45–70 days, best for lower-value pieces and patient submitters.
• Regular/Standard Service: $25–$35 per coin; covers coins valued up to $3,000; turnaround ranges from 25–35 days, a frequent choice for most collectors.
• Express Service: $65–$85 per coin; for coins up to $10,000–$20,000+; 10–15 days turnaround, priced higher for speed.
• Walk-Through/High Value Service: $250+ per coin; intended for coins at or over $50,000 in value; next business day processing for urgent, high-value coins.
• Handling Fee: $10 per submission, standard charge.
• Shipping/Insurance: $25–$50; varies based on total value and insurance required.
• Membership (annual): $25 for Associate Level, required for direct submission.
  Special Services: Special labels, priority grading, and conservation can add $5–$20 per coin. Bulk and affiliate deals can lower per-coin rates.

Getting a coin graded should not be an additional expense that lowers the aggregate value of your collection. You should expect that the appreciation in value yielded by the grading will be greater than its cost.

In other words, don’t bother with getting a coin graded if a certificate of authenticity means the price goes from $5 to $7. Reserve your funds for those truly rare pieces that might go from good coins to great coins.

Related articles:

• What are graded coins?
• How coin grading works?
• How much is a silver dollar worth?

Consider Grading if Counterfeits Are Common

The only time that you may want to get your coin(s) graded – even if the value may not support it – is if counterfeit versions of your coin are common. If you discover that your coin is, indeed, a forgery, you may be able to pursue recourse from the seller or through the legal system.In particular, be wary if you receive the coins for free, either through an inheritance or gift. If your buyer relative is not a sophisticated investor, there is a greater chance that they may have fallen victim to an unscrupulous coin dealer or, worse, another private entity.