The Professional Coin Grading Service

Established in 1986, the Professional Coin Grading Service is widely accepted as an industry standard for the third-party certification of coins. Standardized grading guarantees that the coin you receive is authentic and in the same condition as it was when it was sonically sealed in its plastic slab. This assurance has allowed numismatists and coin enthusiasts to buy and sell coins with greater confidence.

A Brief History

Coin collecting started to become popular in the early 1900s, but the process of determining a coin’s condition was extremely subjective. The numismatist community began assigning coins one of three grades: good, fine, and uncirculated. Yet, some coins within the same category were in better condition than others; and so additional grades were created in an attempt to fill in the gaps.

The need for a standardized grading system was becoming more apparent, and in 1948, Dr. William Sheldon developed the Sheldon Scale. Using this scale, coins are assigned a grade 1 through 70, with 70 being a coin in perfect condition. The theory behind the number values is that a coin with a grade of 70 would be worth 70 times as much as a coin with a grade of 1.

Who Grades Coins at PCGS?

The staff at the Professional Coin Grading Service, known as PCGS, is comprised of an elite group of graders and world-class numismatic professionals. All graders work in a controlled environment with conditions that optimize studying the characteristics and condition of each coin that passes through. Decades of combined experience have ensured that graders are well-versed in handling coins and numismatic products.

Every coin is independently examined by one of their skilled graders. The grades given are based on published standards and other standardized factors. After the examination, the coin is sonically sealed in a plastic, tamper-evident holder that offers both long-term protection and a clear view of both sides of the coin. Coins’ grades are then verified by another grader, after which they can return to the marketplace.

The Value of Graded Coins

The third-party grading of coins ensures that you know exactly what you are getting. The condition between coins of differing grades may not be noticeable to the untrained eye. But when a coin is graded by a professional institution, it acts as a dependable form of protection.

PCGS backs all of their graded and slabbed coins by an extensive guarantee. This guaranteed grade allows both coin dealers and consumers to participate in the market with greater confidence. Essentially, the grading system has revolutionized the industry.

Each slabbed coin is clearly labeled with the coin’s name, country of origin, year of issue, PCGS grade, and additional information. Whether you plan to buy or sell, having this information on hand makes it simple to get the most value for your transaction.

PCGS primarily grades gold and silver sovereign minted coins. Some of the more popular coins are the American Silver Eagle, Canadian Silver Maple, Chinese Silver Panda, American Gold Eagle, and host of Pre-1933 Gold Coins.

Provident is pleased to offer a variety of PCGS graded coins in both gold and silver. Feel free to browse our selection and if you have any questions, our customer service team is happy to assist you.