PCGS Coin Dealers Near Me: Get a Free Expert Appraisal
People who search for “PCGS coin dealers near me” usually want one of three things: to sell coins that are already in PCGS holders, to find out what a PCGS-graded coin is worth, or to get raw coins graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service. American Rarities does all three. We are listed in the PCGS authorized dealer directory, and we have been buying rare coins since 1990.
You do not need a coin shop down the street. With our nationwide buying network, home visits and fully insured mail-in with no deductible, you can work with our numismatists wherever you live. Most people start by sending a few photos for a free, no-obligation appraisal.
Have NGC-graded coins as well? We are also an NGC authorized dealer. See our NGC coin dealer near me page, or read how PCGS, NGC and ANACS compare.
What Is a PCGS Authorized Dealer?
Plenty of shops sell PCGS coins, but only some are PCGS authorized dealers. To join the program, PCGS requires a dealer to have worked full time in the coin business for at least three years, to have at least $100,000 in capital and inventory, and to provide credit references plus references from other authorized dealers (see the PCGS dealer requirements). Authorized dealers can send coins to PCGS on a customer’s behalf, so you can get coins graded without buying a PCGS membership.
Authorized dealers also agree to the PCGS Customer Bill of Rights. Among other things, it promises that your coins are submitted promptly and returned promptly, that you get a written receipt, that the dealer accepts the grades PCGS assigns, and that coins in older PCGS holders are treated the same as coins in newer ones. American Rarities is a PCGS authorized dealer, an NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center, and we submit coins to all three.
PCGS Grading: The 1–70 Scale and the PCGS Guarantee
The Professional Coin Grading Service was founded in California in 1985 by seven coin dealers and began grading coins on February 3, 1986 (Wikipedia). It is based in Santa Ana, California. PCGS authenticates, grades, attributes and seals coins in clear, inert, tamper-evident holders, often called slabs.
Grades follow the Sheldon scale, which runs from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect under magnification). MS stands for Mint State and PR for Proof. A single point can change the value a lot. On popular coins, the step from MS64 to MS65, or from MS69 to MS70, can multiply the price. Coins that are cleaned, damaged or altered get a “Genuine” details grade instead of a number.
Every coin PCGS grades and encapsulates is covered by the PCGS Guarantee of Grade and Authenticity. The guarantee does not cover coins removed from the holder or coins in holders that show tampering, so keep your coins in their slabs.
Inside a PCGS Holder: Cert Number, Hologram and CoinFacts
Before you buy or sell a PCGS coin, check the holder. The front label lists the date, mint mark, denomination, grade and any variety or designation. It also prints a line of numbers above a barcode. In “7292.63/2472863”, 7292 is the PCGS coin number for that date and mint, 63 is the grade, and 2472863 is the coin’s unique certification number. The back carries the PCGS hologram, and newer holders add more security features, including an NFC chip in some.
To verify a coin, enter its certification number at PCGS Cert Verification. The result should match the coin, date, grade and any designation on the label. Many records include PCGS TrueView photos you can compare against the coin in front of you. A cert number that comes up empty, or a coin that does not match its record, is a red flag. Counterfeit PCGS holders exist, and our coin authentication checks, including XRF and digital microscopy, are built to catch them.
PCGS CoinFacts is the PCGS encyclopedia of U.S. coins. Each issue page shows PCGS Price Guide values, population data by grade, known varieties and public auction results. It is the best place to see how many coins PCGS has graded at your coin’s grade and above.
Why Collectors Choose American Rarities as Their PCGS Dealer
When you send PCGS coins to a dealer by mail, you should know who is on the other end. Here is who we are:
- An A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau
- Life Members of the American Numismatic Association
- A 4.7 Google rating from 86 reviews
- Over $350 million in coins and collections purchased since 1990
- PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and ANACS submission center
- IRS-compliant appraisals with a 24–48 hour turnaround
Our numismatists bring hundreds of years of combined experience. We have a strong presence in California, Colorado and Arizona and buy through a nationwide network.
What PCGS-Graded Coins Are Worth and How to Sell Them
A PCGS grade gives buyers and sellers a common starting point, but it does not set the price on its own. These are the main things that drive what a PCGS-graded coin is worth:
- Grade and population. The PCGS population report shows how many coins have been graded at each level. A coin with few examples graded higher often sells for a strong premium.
- Designations. Labels such as PL (Prooflike), DMPL, CAM (Cameo), FB (Full Bands) or RD (Red) can add a lot to a coin’s value.
- Eye appeal. Two coins with the same grade can sell for very different prices because of luster, toning and strike.
- Metal value. For common-date gold and silver in lower grades, the spot price of the metal can matter more than the grade.
PCGS Price Guide values on CoinFacts are a useful reference point, but they are not offers. We look at recent sales of your exact coin and grade, then make a written offer. If you accept, we pay immediately by company check, wire or ACH. If you just want to know what your coins are worth, use us as a free pricing resource.
Getting Raw Coins PCGS-Graded Without a Local Coin Shop
If you have raw coins and no PCGS dealer nearby, you can still get them graded. As an authorized dealer, we can submit your coins to PCGS on your behalf. First, we tell you whether grading makes sense:
- Send photos. Take clear, centered pictures of both sides, then email or text them, or upload them with the form below.
- Free in-house grading. We grade your coins ourselves for free, without slabbing them, and tell you which ones are likely to be worth more in a PCGS holder than the grading fee costs. Many coins are not.
- Insured shipping. If you want to go ahead, you mail the coins to us fully insured with no deductible, or we arrange a home visit for larger collections.
- Grade, keep or sell. We submit the coins you choose to PCGS (or to NGC or ANACS if that suits the coin better). When they come back, you decide whether to keep them or sell them to us.
Would you rather sell your coins raw? That works too. We make offers on ungraded coins every day, and there is never an obligation to sell. Learn more about our coin grading service near me.
PCGS Coin Dealers Near Me: Quick Answers
What does it mean to be a PCGS authorized dealer?
PCGS approves dealers after checking experience, capital and references. Authorized dealers can submit coins for customers and follow the PCGS Customer Bill of Rights.
How do I verify a PCGS cert number?
Enter the number from the label at pcgs.com/cert. The coin, date, grade and designation shown should match the coin in the holder.
Will you buy coins in older PCGS holders?
Yes. We buy PCGS coins in every generation of holder, including early holders with plain white labels.
Free Coin Appraisal for Your Certified Rare Coins
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Email: staff@americanrarities.com | Text: 720-600-4740
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