PCGS, NGC, CAC, CACG, ANACS & ICG
What It All Means & What Your Coins Are Worth
We are PCGS, NGC, CACG & CAC authorized dealers with 50+ years of experience.
We'll give you a straight answer on what your coins are worth, no charge.
Third-party grading services authenticate and grade coins, sealing them in tamper-evident holders. As authorized dealers, we work with all of them daily.
PCGS: Professional Coin Grading Service
Founded in 1986, PCGS is one of the two most respected third-party grading services in the world. A PCGS-graded coin in a sealed "slab" holder is universally trusted by collectors and investors alike.
NGC: Numismatic Guaranty Company
Founded in 1987, NGC is the other leading grading service. NGC-graded coins are equally respected and widely traded. Both PCGS and NGC use a 70-point Sheldon scale.
CAC: Certified Acceptance Corporation
CAC reviews already-graded PCGS and NGC coins and awards a green bean sticker to coins that are solid or premium for their grade. A gold bean indicates a coin that deserves an upgrade. CAC approval significantly increases a coin's value.
CACG: CAC Grading
CACG is CAC's own grading service, launched to provide an alternative to PCGS and NGC with a focus on strict, consistent grading standards. CACG-graded coins are gaining rapid acceptance in the marketplace.
ANACS: American Numismatic Association Certification Service
One of the oldest grading services, ANACS is well-respected for problem coins and varieties. We buy and sell ANACS-graded material.
ICG: Independent Coin Graders
ICG provides affordable grading services and is accepted by many collectors. We buy and sell ICG-graded coins.
All major grading services use the 70-point Sheldon scale.
Here are the key grades and what they mean.
These coins show visible wear from being used in commerce.
Heavily worn; barely identifiable. Date and mintmark may be barely readable.
Most of the design is worn flat. Only major outlines remain visible.
Heavily worn, but some peripheral lettering and date are readable.
Rims are slightly worn; central design and details are mostly clear but faint.
All peripheral lettering is full and rims are complete.
Design shows moderate wear. Major details are visible.
Stronger details; heavy wear but design is mostly intact.
Moderate to considerable wear, but all major design elements are clear.
Similar to Fine, but with slightly crisper details.
Light to moderate wear. Important high points and fine details are visible.
Stronger definition across the entire design.
Sharp details with only light wear on the highest points.
Very light wear confined to the highest points; overall excellent detail.
Light wear on the highest points, but most of the original mint luster is present.
Minor wear on the highest points, with excellent eye appeal.
Traces of wear on only the highest points; at least half of the original mint luster remains.
Very slight wear on the highest points; half or more of the original luster.
Only a trace of wear on the highest points; three-quarters of the mint luster is intact.
Barely perceptible friction or wear on the highest points; near full mint luster.
These coins display absolutely no traces of wear.
Proof coins follow this same 60-70 scale prefixed with PR or PF.
No wear, but has numerous marks, scuffs, or heavily diminished luster.
Average to below-average eye appeal with some visible abrasions or bag marks.
Average strike with moderate abrasions or hairlines.
Above average strike with only scattered, minor marks.
Well-struck coin with highly attractive eye appeal and very minor contact marks.
Very well-struck with minimal marks and great original luster.
Exceptional strike, full luster, and very few, barely noticeable imperfections.
Sharp strike, exceptional eye appeal, and only microscopic imperfections.
Nearly flawless; a fully struck coin with practically imperceptible imperfections.
Absolute perfection. No post-production imperfections, even when viewed under magnification.
A coin graded MS-65 can be worth 10x or more than the same coin in MS-63
CAC approval adds a 10-30% premium, sometimes much more on key dates
PCGS, NGC, CACG, CAC, ANACS and ICG certification eliminates counterfeiting risk for buyers
Slabbed coins are far easier to sell and command higher prices to dealers, collectors and investors.
Population data (how many coins exist at each grade) drives rarity premiums
We are authorized dealers and we know exactly what certified coins are worth
Should I get my coins graded before selling them?
Not necessarily. Grading costs money and takes time. For common coins, the grading fee may exceed the added value. For potentially rare or high-grade coins, professional grading can significantly increase the price you receive. Bring your coins to us first and we can advise whether grading makes sense for your specific coins before you spend the money.
How much does PCGS or NGC grading cost?
PCGS and NGC grading fees start around $30-$50 per coin for standard service and go up significantly for express or walk-through service. There are also membership fees. For most common coins, grading costs are not justified. For key dates, high-grade material, or coins you believe are undergraded, it can be very worthwhile.
What does a CAC green bean sticker mean for value?
A CAC green bean sticker means the coin is solid or premium for its assigned grade, and it's a quality endorsement on top of the PCGS or NGC grade. CAC-approved coins typically sell for a 10-30% premium over non-CAC coins of the same grade, sometimes much more for key dates. A gold bean indicates the coin may deserve a higher grade.
Can you tell me what grade my coin is?
Yes. Joe has over 50+ years of experience grading coins. Bring your coins in and we'll give you an honest assessment. We are PCGS, NGC, CACG and CAC authorized dealers, so we understand grading standards at the highest level. There is no charge for an evaluation.
What is the difference between a raw coin and a slabbed coin?
A "raw" coin is ungraded and not in a professional holder. A "slabbed" coin has been graded by PCGS, NGC, CACG, or another service and sealed in a tamper-evident plastic holder with the grade printed on it. Slabbed coins command higher prices because the grade is certified and the coin's authenticity is guaranteed.
Do you buy raw (ungraded) coins?
Absolutely. We buy raw coins every day. We use our 50+ years of experience, two XRF X-Ray analyzers, and two Sigma Precious Metal Verifiers to evaluate raw coins accurately. Many of our best purchases are raw coins that we identify as undervalued which generally shocks our clients.
No appointment needed. Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm. Or send us a message below.
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