How do you get a coin certified?
Michael Gray
Updated on April 09, 2026
Use a service like the PCGS or NGC. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are third-party certification and grading services. Both of these services consistently grade, authenticate, certify, and seal (in a protective display) coins for a small fee.
How are coins graded?
Coin grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a coin, one of the key factors in determining its value. A coin’s grade is generally determined by five criteria: strike, preservation, luster, color, and attractiveness. Certification services professionally grade coins for tiered fees.
What is the best coin certification?
If you want the certification of your coin to be universally accepted you may want to stick to the two most trusted services, Numismatic Gaurunty Corporation (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). NGC and PCGS are trusted around the world because of their consistent and reliable grading.
What does it cost to certify a coin?
PCGS charges $500 to certify an ultra rare coin, defined as being worth more than $200,000. Rare coins up to $200,000 cost $200 to certify whereas regular US coins under $3,000 in value cost $30 to certify. This organization offers a number of options, including same day service, for a premium.
Are certified coins a good investment?
There are several reasons why these coins can make good investments: Provides peace of mind for beginning and experienced collectors. As a coin collector, maximizing your profits and the value of the collection is important. Owning a PCGS or NGC-graded coin guarantees you get the exact grade and quality of the coin.
How much does it cost to certify a coin?
2021 PCGS Collector Services & Fees
| SERVICE LEVEL | PRICE |
|---|---|
| WALKTHROUGH | $150 |
| EXPRESS | $65 |
| REGULAR | $38 |
| ECONOMY (Non-Gold, Non-Hammered) (World patterns and Chinese portrait/dragon/fantasy dollars must be submitted at the Regular Service Level or higher.) | $22 |
How do you know if a coin is certified?
If you have a certified coin readily available, go ahead and give it a try. Enter in the coin’s serial number online at PCGS.com to quickly verify its authenticity and quality.
What’s the best way to authenticate a coin?
Describing the difference is impossible, but testing some coins will quickly educate your ear to the difference. To authenticate more valuable coins, collectors should take advantage of a professional grading service. Companies such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) offer authentication services.
What’s the best way to get a coin graded?
Look for a dealer who is affiliated with the PCGS or NGC. You can do a quick search on their website to find dealers in your area. This will help you to find someone who is able to send coins into these services for them to be graded. Find out the dealer or company’s prices. Getting a coin graded costs money.
What to do if you find a fake coin?
Go to a coin show. Some coin shows have coin graders on hand for those who are curious about their coins. Look in your local newspaper to find upcoming coin shows near you. Then, bring your coins for authentication and ask the graders if you can obtain a certificate of authenticity from them. Ask for your money back if you find your coin is a fake.
Do you get a certificate of authenticity from the Mint?
While the coins you get from a mint are brand new and therefore not very valuable, they will usually come with a certificate of authenticity. If you save this certificate, it will verify the coin’s authenticity to future generations.
