Professional coin grading services authenticate error coins, assign a condition grade, and encapsulate them in tamper-evident holders. For error coins, grading provides both authentication (confirming the error is genuine) and valuation support (the grade helps establish market value). Understanding when and how to submit error coins for grading helps you make cost-effective decisions about your finds.
The two major coin grading services — PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) — evaluate error coins using the same 1-70 numerical scale used for regular coins, plus specific error attributions. They verify that the error is genuine, identify the error type, grade the coin's condition, and seal it in a protective holder with their assessment printed on the label.
Professional grading typically adds 20-50% or more to the market value of error coins, especially for significant errors. Graded error coins sell faster and for higher prices because buyers have confidence in the authentication and grade. The "holder premium" is real and well-documented in the error coin market.
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Scan NowGrade when the expected market value significantly exceeds the grading cost. For most errors, if the coin would sell for $75+ ungraded, professional grading is worth considering.
Basic grading services start at $20-30 per coin with standard turnaround times of several weeks. Express and walkthrough services are faster but more expensive. Error attributions may have additional fees.
Both PCGS and NGC have strong error attribution programs. PCGS and NGC are equally recognized in the market. Choose based on cost, turnaround time, and any specific attribution preferences.
Yes. If the service determines the anomaly is post-mint damage rather than a genuine error, they may return the coin ungraded or grade it without an error attribution. Their assessment is based on expert examination.