Coin Grading Scale Explained: Complete PCGS vs NGC Guide

Professional coin grading has revolutionized the numismatic marketplace by providing standardized, objective assessments of coin condition. PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) are the two dominant third-party grading companies, and their standards drive the modern coin market. Understanding their grading scales is essential for any serious collector or investor.

The Foundation: Dr. William Sheldon's 70-Point Scale

Both PCGS and NGC use a modified version of Dr. William Sheldon's revolutionary 70-point grading scale, originally developed for Large Cents in 1949. This system assigns numerical grades from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect).

Detailed Grade Breakdown

Poor to About Good (P-1 to AG-3)

• Poor (P-1): Coin is barely identifiable as to type
• Fair (FR-2): Design elements are visible but heavily worn
• About Good (AG-3): Date readable, major design elements visible

These grades are rarely seen in the modern market and primarily apply to very old or heavily circulated coins.

Good to Very Fine (G-4 to VF-35)

• Good (G-4 to G-6): Major design elements clear, legends readable
• Very Good (VG-8 to VG-10): More detail visible, some minor elements showing
• Fine (F-12 to F-15): Moderate detail, most design elements clear
• Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35): Most details sharp, light wear on high points

Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated (EF-40 to AU-58)

• Extremely Fine (EF-40 to EF-45): Light wear on highest points, excellent detail
• About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58): Slight trace of wear, nearly full luster

Mint State: The Premium Grades (MS-60 to MS-70)

This is where the significant value lies in modern grading:

• MS-60 to MS-62: Uncirculated but heavily bagmarked or poorly struck
• MS-63: Choice uncirculated, noticeable marks but good overall appearance
• MS-64: Near gem quality, few noticeable marks
• MS-65: Gem uncirculated, excellent eye appeal, minimal marks
• MS-66: Premium gem, exceptional surfaces and strike
• MS-67: Superb gem, nearly perfect with outstanding eye appeal
• MS-68: Ultra gem, virtually flawless to the naked eye
• MS-69: Near perfect, only minor imperfections under magnification
• MS-70: Perfect coin, absolutely flawless under 5x magnification

PCGS vs NGC: Key Differences

While both services use the same numerical scale, subtle differences exist:

PCGS Characteristics

• Market Acceptance: Often commands slight premiums in the marketplace
• Grading Philosophy: Tends to be slightly more conservative on ultra-high grades
• Holder Design: Blue labels for regular grades, gold for special designations
• Population Reports: Detailed census data drives market values

NGC Characteristics

• Grading Consistency: Known for excellent grading consistency across submissions
• Special Labels: Extensive variety of special labels and designations
• Holder Features: Brown labels, various special designations available
• International Focus: Strong reputation for world and ancient coins

The Economics of Professional Grading

When to Submit Coins

• High-value coins: Generally coins worth $100+ benefit from certification
• Key dates and varieties: Authentication and grade certification crucial
• Investment pieces: Professional grading enhances liquidity
• Questionable authenticity: Third-party authentication provides confidence

Grading Costs vs Benefits

• Standard service: $20-40 per coin depending on value
• Express service: $50-100+ for faster turnaround
• Value calculation: Certification should add more value than cost
• Market acceptance: Certified coins sell more readily

How Coinly Revolutionizes Grade Assessment

The Coin Identifier - Coinly app provides invaluable pre-grading assistance:

Pre-Submission Evaluation

Before spending money on professional grading, Coinly's AI analyzes your coin photos to provide estimated grades. This helps you decide which coins are worth the grading fees.

Grade Prediction Accuracy

Coinly's machine learning algorithms have been trained on thousands of professionally graded coins, allowing accurate grade estimates that align with PCGS and NGC standards.

Surface Analysis Technology

The app's advanced image analysis can detect:

• Contact marks and scratches that affect grading
• Luster quality crucial for Mint State designations
• Strike characteristics that influence final grades
• Eye appeal factors that can make or break premium grades

Value Optimization

By providing grade estimates, Coinly helps you:

• Maximize profits by identifying coins likely to grade high
• Avoid losses on coins that won't benefit from certification
• Understand market values at different grade levels
• Build better collections by focusing on quality

Understanding Population Reports

Both PCGS and NGC publish population reports showing how many coins they've graded at each level. This data is crucial for understanding rarity and value:

• Low population coins command significant premiums
• Condition rarity can make common dates valuable in high grades
• Market trends are reflected in grading submissions
• Investment decisions should consider population data