A Guide to Coin & Paper Currency Grading Services
The single most important factor in determining the value of a rare coin or banknote is its grade, or condition. A professional grade provides a guaranteed assessment of authenticity and quality, which is why working with a dealer who understands the top grading standards is essential.
This guide explains how professional grading works, why not all grading companies are created equal, and how you can get a free, expert grading opinion from our team.
How Professional Grading Works
Third-party grading services provide an unbiased opinion on a coin or note’s condition. They assign a numerical grade (typically on a 1-70 scale), verify authenticity, and seal the item in a secure, tamper-evident holder often called a “slab.” This certification allows buyers and sellers to establish a fair market value.
Rare Coin Grading Services: The Top Tier
For rare coins, three companies are known for their stringent and consistent standards. Coins graded by these services are trusted throughout the industry.
The Problem with “Off-Brand” Grading Companies
Many lesser-known grading services exist, but their standards are often much looser. These companies may inflate grades or fail to note problems like cleaning or damage. As a result, items graded by these “off-brand” services are often difficult to sell, and professional dealers will typically make offers based on their own, more accurate grade assessment.
At American Rarities, our buyers adhere strictly to the exacting standards of the top-tier services.
Lesser-Known, Off-Brand, and Non-Mainstream Coin Grading Companies
- ACC – American Certified Coins
- ACCGS – American Coin Club Grading Service
- ACGS – American Coin Grading Service
- ASA or ACG – AccuGrade, Inc.
- ANA – American Numismatic Association
- ANI – American Numismatic Institute
- Blanchard
- Capitol Coin Grading Service
- CCCS – Canadian Coin Certification Service
- CCG – Colonial Grading Company
- CGSOA – Coin Grading Service of America
- COMPUGRADE
- CSI – Certified Silver Investments
- DCGS – Digital Coin Grading Service
- DGS – Dominion Grading Service
- EAGC – Eastern American Grading Company
- ENGS – Elite Numismatic Grading Service
- FSC – Fiducial Select Capitol
- GCS – Global Certification Service
- GCGS – Global Coin Grading Service
- GECgrading.com
- Hallmark Coin Grading Service
- ICCS – International Coin Certification Service
- ICG – Independent Coin Grading Company
- IGS – International Grading Service
- INB – International Numismatic Bureau
- INCS – International Numismatic Certification Service
- INGS – International Numismatic Grading Service
- INS Authentication Bureau
- MCCS – Millennium Coin Certification Services
- NAC – Numismatic Authentication Service
- NAGC – Numismatic Assurance Grading Corp
- NANC – North American Numismatic Certification
- NCGS – National Coin Grading Service
- NCI – Numismatic Certification Institute
- NCS – Numismatic Conservation Service
- NES – Numismatic Evaluation Service
- NGS – NuGrade Service
- NGS – Numismatic Grading Service
- NNC – National Numismatic Certification
- NPCS – NUMISPRO
- NPG – Numismatic Professional Grading
- NSCGS – New Standard Coin Grading Service
- NTC – NumisTrust Corporation
- PCC – Premier Certified Coins
- PCCI – Photo-Certified Coin Institute
- PCGA – Premier Coin Grading and Authentication
- PGS – Professional Grading Service
- PIC – Paramount International Coin Corp
- PICC – Pacific International Coin Collectable
- PNCS – Professional Numismatic Certification Service
- PNGL – Professional Numismatic Grading Laboratory
- SDGS – Silver Dollar Grading Service
- SEGS – Sovereign Entities Grading Service
- SGS – Star Grading Service
- TCGS – Twenty-first Century Grading Service
- TGS – TruGrade Service
- UGS – Universal Grading Service
- UNC – United Numismatic Company
- USCG – US Coin Grading Service
- WCG – World Coin Grading
Get a Free, Expert Grading Opinion Today
Before you pay the high fees to have your collection professionally graded, let our experts provide a free, preliminary grading opinion. We can tell you which items are worth submitting and provide an accurate market valuation based on our decades of experience.
Contact us today by email, text, or the form below to get started!
Professional Associations
