Rare Coin Grading Services and Paper Currency Grading
The single most important factor in the value of a rare coin or banknote is its grade, or condition. Two coins of the same date and mint can differ in value many times over because of a few points on the grading scale, and a professional grade from a respected service also confirms that the coin or note is genuine.
This guide explains how coin grading and paper currency grading work, which grading services the market trusts, when it is worth paying to have coins or notes graded, and how to get a free grading opinion from American Rarities, a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and ANACS submission center founded in 1990.
On this page:
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. Grading is one of several numismatic services we offer, alongside appraisals, authentication and conservation advice.
The label on each holder lists the date, mint, grade, any special designation (such as Cameo or Prooflike) and a certification number that can be checked on the grading service’s website.
The 1–70 Coin Grading Scale
U.S. coins are graded on the Sheldon scale, which runs from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect under magnification). The main ranges are:
- Poor to About Good (1–3). Heavily worn; date and design may be hard to read.
- Good to Very Good (4–10). Major design elements visible, rims mostly complete.
- Fine to Very Fine (12–35). Moderate, even wear with clear details.
- Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (40–58). Light wear on the high points only, with much of the original luster.
- Mint State (60–70). No wear. The grade depends on marks, luster, strike and eye appeal.
- Proof (PR or PF 60–70). Specially struck coins for collectors, graded on the same numbers.
Coins that are cleaned, damaged or altered usually receive a details grade instead of a number, which lowers their value. See the NGC grading scale for full definitions.
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.
American Rarities is a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and an ANACS submission center. For a side-by-side comparison, read the differences between PCGS, NGC and ANACS.
Paper Currency Grading
Paper money is graded on the same 70-point scale as coins. The leading service is PMG (Paper Money Guaranty), with PCGS Banknote also widely accepted. Graders look at:
- Circulation. Folds, creases and soiling. A single center fold can keep a note out of the Uncirculated grades.
- Problems. Tears, pinholes, stains, missing corners, trimming, repairs and writing.
- Originality. Notes that have not been washed, pressed or otherwise processed can earn PMG’s EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) designation.
- Centering and color. Even margins and bright, original ink add eye appeal.
See the PMG grading scale for each grade. Large-size notes, national bank notes, star notes and fancy serial numbers are often worth grading. Learn more about paper money values or visit our paper money collector page. If you plan to sell, our guide on how to sell graded paper currency covers what to do first, and our paper money grading standards explain each grade from Good to Uncirculated.
Paper Currency Grading Services
A PMG or PCGS Banknote holder protects the note, and its label records the catalog number, serial number, grade and any designation such as EPQ (PMG) or PPQ (PCGS Banknote). The certification number can be verified on the grading service’s website.
World Banknote Grading
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.
- ANI – American Numismatic Institute
- 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
- 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
Should You Get Your Coins Graded?
Professional grading costs money in submission fees, shipping and insurance, and it takes time. It usually makes sense for:
- Key dates, scarce mint marks and early U.S. coins.
- Coins in high grades, where one point can change the value significantly.
- U.S. gold and better silver dollars that buyers prefer certified.
- Rare paper money, especially large-size and national bank notes.
It is usually not worth it for common circulated coins, bullion coins valued mainly for their metal, or coins that have been cleaned or damaged.
Not sure? We grade coins in-house for free and without slabbing, and we check authenticity with XRF analysis and digital microscopy. We can tell you which pieces are worth submitting and, as a PCGS and NGC authorized dealer and ANACS submission center, help you submit them. Read more about coin authentication, fake and altered coins and our coin grading service near me. Already have certified coins? See selling PCGS, NGC and ANACS coins.
Get a Free, Expert Grading Opinion
Before you pay to have your collection professionally graded, let our experts give you a free grading opinion. We can tell you which items are worth submitting and what they are worth, based on more than 30 years of experience. There is no obligation.
Email staff@americanrarities.com, text 720-600-4740, or use our free appraisal form to send photos of your coins or notes. Meet our rare coin experts.
Related certified coin guides: Sell PCGS, NGC & ANACS coins • PCGS dealers near me • NGC dealer near me • Fake coin pictures • PCGS vs NGC vs ANACS • Rare coin grading
Coin and Currency Grading: Quick Answers
What are the best coin grading services?
PCGS, NGC and ANACS are the most trusted coin grading services, and coins they grade are accepted throughout the market.
How is paper money graded?
On a 70-point scale, mainly by PMG and PCGS Banknote, based on circulation, problems like tears or stains, originality and eye appeal.
What is a details grade?
A grade for coins that are cleaned, damaged or altered. It describes the detail without a numeric grade and usually lowers value.
Paper Money Guides
Sell Your U.S. Paper CurrencyFree appraisal and a cash offer for your notes
How to Sell Paper CurrencyFive steps to take before you sell
U.S. Paper Currency InformationHistory, types and how to identify U.S. notes
Collecting Paper MoneyNote types, grading, condition and care
Paper Money Price GuideApproximate values for common U.S. notes
National Currency Notes GuideIdentify and value National Bank Notes
Sell National Currency NotesHow we appraise and buy National Bank Notes
Sell Mexican Paper MoneyBank, Revolution and Banco de México notes Professional Associations
