coin grading

[Diggin in GA.]

What is the best way to go about having coins graded? Do you need to be a member of a coin club or can you have a coin shop send them in for you or what? I have a few that are not really key dates but look absolutely flawless that might be worth more one day.

 

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[Cannonman17]

This is only my opinion but: In most cases, getting coins graded isn't needed. Key dates yes... ultra high grades...maybe.. tell us what type of coins you are talking about or even scan some pics if you can and we can tell you more. Getting coins graded by a good service can be a bit pricey and just not worth it unless you have something that is really worth some money. Most dealers will send them in for you, or you can join one of the services and send in X amount of coins per year for X amount of dollars. You could save yourself some money and buy a copy of the ANA grading standards book... study it for a bit and grade your own coins- just have to learn to be critical of them as many people have a tendency to over grade when they first start. The book can be had for less than twenty dollars (less than it would cost to have a single coin graded) and should get you close enough in grade to determine wether or not it's worth having, and paying, to send your coin(s) in.

 

[X-Terra70_TreasureHunter]

Hi here's NGC's priceing guide

U.S. Coins



Turnaround times are approximate and not guaranteed. Estimated turnaround begins on the day coins are received at NGC.



Unlimited Value WalkThrough $600 Same day service 24 Hours All U.S. coins. No max value.

High Value WalkThrough $250 Same day service 24 Hours All U.S. coins valued at $500,000 or less.

WalkThrough $125 Same day service 24 Hours U.S. coins valued at $100,000 or less.
Express $55 48 Hours 48 Hours U.S. coins valued at $10,000 or less

EarlyBird $30 12 Working days 12 Working days U.S. coins valued at $3,000 or less

Specialty Gold $28 5 Working days 5 Working days All $1 Gold, $2.5 Gold, $3 Gold, $5 Indians, and all better-date U.S. Gold. Maximum value $1,500 per coin. Five (5) coin minimum

GoldRush $21 5 Working days 5 Working days All dates for $5-$10-$20 Liberty; $10 Indian, $20 Saint Gaudens. Also accepting $5, $10, $25, $50 U.S. gold bullion. Maximum value $1,500. Five (5) coin minimum

Economy $16 21 Working days 25 Working days All non-gold U.S. coins valued under $300, and $5, $10, $25, $50 U.S. gold bullion under $300 per coin (no colonials). Five (5) coin minimum

Modern Special $15 12 working days 15 working days All U.S. coins 1955 to present requiring a special label, including Early Releases and Eagle 20th Anniversary. Five (5) coin minimum

Modern $12.50 12 Working days 15 Working days All U.S. coins 1955 to present. Five (5) coin minimum

All of the grading tiers described here are covered by NGC's comprehensive guarantee of grade and authenticity. Any questions you may have about NGC's grading services can be answered by an NGC Customer Service Representative or an authorized member/dealer. These professionals can help you decide which tier or service offered by NGC best meets your needs.

So if you figure if you buy a graded coin from one of those shopping networks any the offer it for lets say $39.98 for a 2008 Silver Eagle you come out ahead on said coin.

$12.50 certification fee for one coin
$10.00 For Shipping to & from them.....$5.00 one way X 2
$3.30 For Insureance for both ways....$1.65 one way X 2
$26.95 for the 2008 raw Uncirculated Silver Eagle which Shop At Home
Guarantees is a MS-67

Total is $52.75 and you send it off & it does not grade that high your out $25.80 no less the 15 days Ngc has had it plus the time it takes to return to you of 3 days plus the 3 days it took too arrive, totaling 21 days so how did you come out ahead.

Money + Time Equals a Big Headache in alot of the cases, so you have tobe searching for coins which are Key Dates & Semi Key Dated coins too make it worth your Time & Money to have a coin Graded & Certified.

Sincerely
TreasureHunter

 

[Mackaydon]

I agree with Cannonman.
Also, if your library has access to past issues of "Coin Values" (CV), they monthly highlight one type of coin and with great pics that differentiate the grades. CV also color codes the various areas for contact marks; areas of critical concern to the grader.
Don.....

 

[PBK]

Both simple authentication and authentication & grading have their uses. However, if your coin comes back slabbed and graded, in a sense you are locked in to that grade until the coin is removed from the holder.

I have seen examples of highly questionable (generally overcritical) grading from a number of well-known numismatic services. There also seems to be a tendency to describe coins as "cleaned" when that is not the case, or as having "environmental damage" or "corrosion" when in fact the so-called problem amounts to nothing more than minimal (perhaps even original) porosity or patination.

As Cannonman and Don have said, there are readily available grading guides that will enable to evaluate your own coins, but you've got to guard against overgrading. Wishing or saying that a Fine coin is Very Fine doesn't make it so, no matter how much of an "expert" one may become— or claim to be.