[ Home ]

Dictionary of Coin Collector Terms and Definitions:

A | B | C | D | E

F | G | H | I | J

K | L | M| N | O

P | Q | R | S | T

U | V | W| X | Y

Abbreviations & acronyms

Coin Dealers and shops

Articles and News about Coins

Coin Grading

Books and Price Guides

for Coin Collectors

Links .

& More Links

Where the investor goes to buy precious metals.

Get a FREE gram of gold when you sign up! For a limited time!

Trade online, in amounts as small as $20 at a time.

New Presidential Dollar coins:

~Unusual Edge Letters on President coins

~US mint $ coin press release.

~Production Schedule for upcoming Dollars.

~Legislation Authorizing Presidential Dollar Coins in 2007.

< - -Back to Coin Articles and News

What is PCGS, Professional Coin Grading Service?

PCGS is the Professional Coin Grading Service

Founded in the mid 1980’s PCGS is one of the largest “third-party” coin grading services in the world. In some of their advertising you will see them mentioned as "the worlds largest rare coin authentication company", and very likely they are.

What is Third Party Grading?

Third party coin grading is a “good thing”. It means that the persons grading the coin have no vested interest in assigning a grade to benefit themselves. Since they are not grading their own coins, they can provide an independent objective opinion as to the condition of a coin. Whereas a dealer or individual grading their own coins may be

inclined to assign a grade that might benefit themselves.

PCGS is part of the Collectors Universe Company

PCGS is located in California and has some of the most renowned coin hobby experts on its staff. They grade hundred of thousands of coins yearly. They are part of the publicly traded Collectors Universe company, which is traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange as symbol CLCT . (See www.collectors.com )

How does PCGS grade coins?

PCGS determines Authenticity - First PCGS examines the coin to determine if it is genuine. They will not grade fake or counterfeit coins.

See if the coin is problem-free - Next PCGS examines the coin to see if any unusual problems may affect the value or grade determination, such as: heavy cleaning, damage, PVC and chemical surface problems, major scratches, artificial toning, or unusual flaws. They may refuse to grade problem coins.

Grading and Encapsulation - Finally PCGS experts determine the grade for that specific coin and encapsulate it in a tamper-evident hard plastic “security capsule” holder.

A unique certification number along with the grade assigned to the coin is placed inside the capsule holder before sealing the coin inside. Holders are convenient and in a rectangular slab shape, which makes for easy handling, stacking, and storage. PCGS states (2007) “PCGS's hard plastic holder provides optimum protection for safe, long-term storage of rare coins.”

PCGS graded coin in slab holder

PCGS Grading and Authenticity Guarantee

PCGS states that their “Guarantee of Grade and Authenticity is a fundamental concept” of theirs. In their materials (2007) PCGS says

“The cash-back policy ensures the accuracy of the grade assigned to any PCGS coin as long as it remains in its tamper-evident holder. If a coin is believed to be improperly graded, and a discrepancy is found when resubmitted through PCGS's Downgrade Resubmission service, the guarantee entitles the coin's owner to options designed for his protection.”

Related Article - Related Article - How PCGS Grades Coins

< - -Back to Coin Articles and News

Where the investor goes to buy precious metals.

Get a FREE gram of gold when you sign up! For a limited time!

Want to know what GOLD and SILVER prices are doing?
Check our our new WEB SITE -

FREE - GOLD and SILVER Spot PRICE Quotes
Prices are updated every few minutes during open market hours.