Grading Services

Buyers should stick with PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) and ANACS (the American Numismatic Association Certification Service) for grading raw coins.  Please understand that this guide is about grading and not encapsulating.  It is perfectly acceptible to sell encapsulated coins on eBay (just don't apply an unrealistic grade).  There are lots of companies to choose from, other than the grading services, that do a pretty nice job of encapsulating coins.

If you are new to this hobby, YOU MUST READ THE FINE PRINT in the listing.  Pictures can be deceiving.  If the seller doesn't specifically state that the coin has been graded by PCGS, NCG or ANACS, it's probably not PCGS, NCG, or ANACS.  The buyer should be cautious when purchasing coins from any company that grades early issues of U.S. coins MS70.  For instance, PCGS has never graded a 1943 steel Lincoln Cent MS70.  In fact, they've never even graded one MS69.  So, when you see a company that uses stock photographs and grades all of their coins MS70... understand, you may not be getting a MS70 coin. 

I've recently become a bigger fan of ANACS for several reasons.  They will encapsulate coins that have been cleaned or slightly damaged.  This is extremely important for grading and authenticating Nineteenth Century coins (it was an acceptable practice to clean coins 100 years ago).  There are hundreds of fake coins being sold on ebay that are NOT marked "REPLICA".  I would much prefer to add a genuine, ANACS encapsulated coin, that has been cleaned, to my collection instead of a worthless 1858 fake proof quarter from China.  ANACS has no annual membership fee and they offer lots of grading services for as little as $10 per coin. 

Additionally, there is one more grading service that deserves mention, ICG (Independent Coin Grading Company). They are the newest service.  My advice, stick to the top four (PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or ICG) to assure your investment is worth what you paid.  Please give me a quick "YES" vote at the bottom of this Guide.  "Thank you"