To have a coin graded, choose a service, prep the coin, submit the form, pack and ship, then track the slabbed result online.
New to third-party grading? This guide walks you through every step from first look to sealed slab. You’ll see where grading helps, when to skip it, which companies to use, and how to ship without risk. The aim is simple: get a reliable grade that buyers trust and you can verify.
What Coin Grading Really Confirms
Professional grading delivers three things: authentication, a numeric grade on the 70-point scale, and a sealed holder with a certificate number you can check on the service’s website. That combo sets a market baseline. It won’t fix damage or clean a coin, and it can flag problems such as cleaning or tooling. A straight-graded coin usually sells faster. A problem-noted coin still benefits from authentication.
Major Grading Services At A Glance
The four names most collectors submit to today are PCGS, NGC, ANACS, and CAC Grading (CACG). Each certifies authenticity, assigns a grade, and encapsulates the coin in a tamper-evident holder with a lookup number.
| Service | What You Get | Submission Path |
|---|---|---|
| PCGS | Authentication, numeric grade, slab, online verification; plus options like TrueView photos. | Join the Collectors Club or submit through an Authorized Dealer; full online form with tier choices. (how to submit) |
| NGC | Authentication, numeric grade, slab, online verification; star and plus designations where applicable. | Become an NGC member or submit via a dealer; pick a tier by value and speed. (how to submit) |
| ANACS | Authentication, numeric grade, slab, variety attributions on many series. | Direct submission with form; also common at coin shows with on-site intake. (form instructions) |
| CAC Grading (CACG) | Authentication, numeric grade, slab; launched by the team behind the CAC sticker program. | Direct submission through CACG account or dealers; separate track from CAC stickering. (how to submit) |
Decoding The 70-Point Scale In Plain Terms
Every certified coin lands somewhere from 1 to 70. Lower numbers show heavy wear; higher numbers approach perfect surfaces and strike. “AU” sits just below Mint State with a hint of friction; “MS” runs from entry-level 60 up to 70. The scale, often called the Sheldon scale, underpins modern grading. For deeper definitions and photos, see the ANA grading standards.
How To Have A Coin Graded: Submission Steps
This section spells out the end-to-end workflow most services follow. The details vary by company, but the core playbook is the same.
1) Decide If The Coin Merits Grading
Grading costs money and time. Submit when a coin’s likely certified value outweighs fees and shipping. Scarcer dates, high-grade candidates, key varieties, and heavily counterfeited types are common picks. Modern pocket change in average shape rarely justifies it. If you’re unsure, compare recent certified sales for the same date and grade range, then estimate fees and postage. Many dealers will sanity-check a stack for you.
2) Do A Gentle Precheck
Use soft lighting and a 5x–10x loupe. Look for hairlines that signal cleaning, rim bumps, spots, scratches, or PVC haze. Don’t wipe the coin. Don’t dip it. Leave surfaces alone; cleaning lowers the chance of a straight grade. If the coin looks altered or harshly cleaned, grading can still certify authenticity, but the label may carry a “details” note.
3) Pick The Right Company And Tier
Choose the grader that fits your series and goals. U.S. classics, bullion issues, and world coins each have strong coverage at the big firms. Pick a tier by fair market value and turnaround target. PCGS and NGC both outline tiers and membership paths on their sites. (PCGS, NGC) CACG and ANACS also post clear intake steps. (CACG steps, ANACS steps)
4) Create Your Submission
Open an online account, start a new order, pick services (grading only, attribution, imaging), choose the tier, and enter each coin by date, mint, denomination, and declared value. Many forms let you add variety requests or special labels. Print the invoice when done and place a copy inside the box.
5) Pack Like A Pro
Use non-PVC flips or the service’s paper flips; label each flip to match the line items on your form. Place flips in the same order as the invoice. Sandwich the flips between pieces of cardboard, add bubble wrap, and set everything in a sturdy box with firm void fill. Double-box for higher value. Tape all seams cleanly. Save tracking numbers and receipts.
6) Ship With Insurance And Tracking
Most submitters use USPS Registered Mail for high value since every handoff is logged and packages are sealed with paper tape. Priority Mail with insurance works for mid-range orders. Carriers differ by region, so pick the one that serves you well and matches the service’s receiving address. Avoid putting coin terms on the label. Use your account dashboard to mark the package shipped.
7) Track, Then Review The Grade
Once received, your dashboard will show intake and processing. When grades post, you’ll see each coin’s result and certification number. Verify the cert on the grader’s site and save the image set if offered. If a result misses your target, some collectors choose a regrade or crossover later, but start by studying the images and notes.
Having A Coin Graded: Step-By-Step Process With Tips
These quick tips smooth the path and reduce surprises.
Pick The Right Targets
Key dates, low-mintage issues, high-end Mint State, and coins often counterfeited are smart candidates. Modern bullion can make sense for authentication and liquidity. Low-value circulated coins usually stay raw.
Mind The Declared Value
Declared value sets your tier and return shipping, not the final sale price. Be honest and use recent comps. If a coin comes back far higher than expected, services can bump tiers mid-stream and bill the difference; that protects your order.
Ask For Imaging
Many services offer studio photos. Quality images help you sell, compare coins, and study surfaces later. The extra fee often pays for itself in buyer confidence.
Choose Attribution When It Matters
Varieties and designations (FS, FB, FBL, PL, DMPL, RD/RB/BN, etc.) can swing value. Request only what applies. If you’re unsure, a dealer can pre-screen for varieties worth noting.
Costs, Timelines, And What Affects Them
Fees depend on service, tier, and coin value. Imaging and special labels add to the bill. Bulk tiers exist for larger runs. Timelines shift with show schedules and seasonal volume. Add both outbound and return transit to your plan. For current paths and tier rules, check the official pages linked above.
Common Reasons Coins Don’t Straight-Grade
Cleaning or whizzing creates hairlines and unnatural luster. Harsh dips leave residue or strip toning. Tools leave repeating marks. Recolored copper can raise flags. Edge filing or plugged holes also draw notes. If a coin gets a details label, the slab still proves authenticity and preserves the piece.
What The Label Actually Tells You
The front shows country, denomination, date and mint, grade, plus designations such as PL or FB. The back holds the barcode and cert number. Many labels now include quick-response codes that jump to the cert lookup page. That lookup shows the grade, population, and sometimes images.
A Quick Primer On Terms You’ll See
Strike And Luster
Strike refers to how fully the dies brought up the design. Luster describes the way light moves across a Mint State surface. A coin can be sharply struck but dull, or flashy with a soft strike.
Eye Appeal
Color, toning pattern, and mark placement influence how a coin feels in hand. Two coins with the same numeric grade can trade at different prices due to eye appeal alone.
Designation Letters
Designations capture extra traits: Full Steps on Jefferson nickels, Full Bands on Mercury dimes, Full Bell Lines on Franklin halves, Prooflike or Deep Mirror Prooflike on cartwheel issues, and color on copper. The label spells these out when earned.
DIY Grading Skills Still Matter
Learning the scale helps you choose better coins and pick smart submissions. The American Numismatic Association publishes the reference most graders align with. If you want deeper study, start with the ANA grading standards; it pairs text with photos across U.S. series.
Packaging Do’s And Don’ts
Do
- Use fresh, non-PVC flips or the service’s paper flips.
- Match flip labels to line items on your form.
- Pad all sides; double-box higher value shipments.
- Use plain outer labels with no coin terms.
Don’t
- Put tape on coins or flips.
- Ship loose capsules that can crack and scuff surfaces.
- Include staples that can scratch.
| Step | Action | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Precheck | Loupe the coin under soft light. | Skip cleaning; leave surfaces as found. |
| Account | Create login and pick a tier. | Use declared value that matches recent sales. |
| Form | Enter date, mint, variety, service add-ons. | Order coins on the form to match your flips. |
| Pack | Flip, cardboard, bubble wrap, tight box. | Double-box if value is high. |
| Ship | Track and insure the parcel. | USPS Registered Mail is common for high value. |
| Track | Watch the dashboard for each stage. | Save the cert images once grades post. |
When A Regrade, Crossover, Or Review Makes Sense
Coins at the high end of a grade, pieces with strong eye appeal, or slabs from another service you wish to align can be candidates. Review fees apply, and there’s no promise of an upgrade. Study the coin’s images and recent comps before you try.
Selling Or Storing After Certification
Keep the slabbed coin in a dry, stable spot away from direct sun and heat. For sales, include the certification number in your listing and link to the online lookup. Buyers like clear photos, a straight description, and a scan of the cert page. A solid paper trail builds trust.
Where To Learn And Compare Grades
Service websites host galleries and cert lookups that accelerate learning. PCGS and NGC publish grading guides, tier rules, and submission pages with current terms. The ANA standard is the baseline reference across the hobby. Pair those with articles that explain the scale in practice and show real-world surfaces and strikes.
Your First Submission: A Simple Starter Plan
- Pick one service for this round.
- Select three coins that pass the value test.
- Create the order, pick one tier, and add imaging.
- Pack with care and ship with tracking.
- Study the grades and photos when they post.
This small run builds confidence without a big outlay. You’ll learn the forms, the packing rhythm, and how your eye lines up with the pros.
FAQ-Style Notes Without The Fluff
Can Cleaned Coins Be Graded?
Yes, but you’ll likely see a details holder that names the problem. Authentication still helps buyers spot genuine pieces.
Do Slabs Ever Change Color Or Cloud?
Modern holders resist haze and tampering. Avoid extreme heat and direct sunlight. If a slab is cracked, contact the grader about reslabbing.
What About Raw Coins In Third-Party Holders From Sellers?
Many dealers use generic flips with their opinions. Only a certification number on a service’s site confirms a grade and authenticity.
Bringing It All Together
If you asked, “how to have a coin graded,” the plan is now set. Choose the service, build a clean submission, ship safely, and verify the results online. Use the PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or CACG pages when you’re ready to send. Keep the ANA scale handy while you learn. That mix of homework and care gets your coins into the right slabs with no drama.