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See related article – PCGS – What is it?

How PCGS Grades Coins

PCGS (The Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) use a modern grading scale to designate their opinion of a coin’s condition.

Modern Coin Grading is Based on the Sheldon Grading Scale

Most coin experts today assign coin grades based on the Sheldon Grading Scale. Over 50 years ago Dr. Wm. Sheldon, a noted numismatist, proposed assigning coin grades using a numerical scale of 1 to 70, with 1 being the worst coin condition possible and 70 as being the best condition possible. Over time many coin grading services and independent coin experts began using a similar scale of grading.

The dilemma - Inconsistent grading

In the early years of modern coin grading, inconsistency between one expert and another often meant confusion in the market place. As coins became more popular, and coin prices became higher for very nice condition coins, a need for a uniform standard became prominent. With even small differences between grades meaning big differences in prices, a greater need for consistency in coin grading was necessary. As independent third party grading services (such as PCGS and NGC) begin grading coins in a consistent manner, the definition of what a specific grade really was began to be defined. Today many grading services, such as PCGS, are well known for using consistent grading processes year after year. (Note: Coin experts will tell you that grading by some grading services are not so thought of.)

Degree of surface wear and quality

Both PGCS and NGC grade coins and seal them in a tamper-evident hard plastic capsule holder using the 70 point grading scale. These capsule holders provide protection, security, and convenience in handling your graded certified coins.

See related article – PCGS – What is it?