Quick answer
PCGS and NGC are the two major third-party coin grading services. PCGS slabs typically carry a 5-15% price premium for US coins; NGC is equally respected for world coins, including British issues. Both use the Sheldon 70-point scale and both are trusted in the market, choose based on specialty, submission cost, and turnaround time.
TL;DR
- PCGS, US-founded 1986; leader for US coins; slightly higher premium
- NGC, US-founded 1987; equal leader for world coins; often faster UK turnaround
- Both grade on the Sheldon 1-70 scale; both authenticate and encapsulate
- Submission costs: £20-£80 per coin depending on tier and declared value
- For British coins, NGC is marginally more common; either slab is trusted
Table of contents
- What is third-party grading?
- PCGS overview
- NGC overview
- PCGS vs NGC comparison
- Submission costs and process
- When is grading worth it?
- Common questions
- FAQ
What is third-party grading?
Third-party grading means sending a coin to an independent company that:
- Authenticates the coin (real, not counterfeit)
- Grades it on the Sheldon 1-70 scale
- Encapsulates it in a tamper-evident plastic "slab" with a unique serial number and barcode
- Records all details in a public online database
The resulting slabbed coin sells at a premium to raw (non-slabbed) equivalents because buyers trust the grade and authentication. For the full Sheldon scale see how to grade a coin.
The two dominant services worldwide are PCGS and NGC. A handful of smaller services exist (ANACS, ICG in the US; LCGS in the UK) but PCGS and NGC command the clear majority of high-value submissions.
PCGS overview
Professional Coin Grading Service launched in 1986 as the first major third-party grader. It's headquartered in California with offices in Paris, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Strengths:
- Original Sheldon-scale implementer; tight, conservative grading
- Price Guide is the industry reference for US coins
- CoinFacts database is the most comprehensive
- "Plus" designation (e.g. MS65+) for high-end examples within a grade
- Slabs typically 5-15% premium for US coins
Weaknesses:
- UK submission route requires an authorised dealer or UK agent
- Turnaround can exceed 60 days for economy tiers
- Slightly more conservative on world coins vs NGC
NGC overview
Numismatic Guaranty Company was founded in 1987 by former PCGS graders. Headquartered in Florida with offices in Munich, Shanghai and Hong Kong, NGC is widely considered equal to PCGS for world coinage.
Strengths:
- NGC UK office accepts direct submissions from UK collectors
- Shorter turnaround times for modern submissions (often 20-30 days)
- World Coin Price Guide rivals PCGS CoinFacts for non-US material
- "Star" designation for exceptional eye appeal
- Strong specialist labels (Early Releases, First Day of Issue)
Weaknesses:
- US coin PCGS slabs still carry the slight market premium over NGC
- Fewer registry participants than PCGS in the US
PCGS vs NGC comparison
| Feature | PCGS | NGC |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 | 1987 |
| Grading scale | Sheldon 1-70 | Sheldon 1-70 |
| Slab style | Clear, older-gen or new HD | Clear with holographic edge |
| UK submission | Via agent | Direct to NGC UK |
| Typical turnaround | 30-90 days | 20-45 days |
| Plus / Star designation | Plus (+) | Star (★) |
| Population report | Yes | Yes |
| CAC sticker support | Historically stronger | Also accepts CAC |
| Market premium (US coins) | +5-15% | Baseline |
| Market premium (UK coins) | Baseline or slight | Baseline or slight |
Submission costs and process
Rough UK submission costs per coin (2026):
| Tier | Declared value (each) | Cost per coin (approx) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Up to £200 | £25-£35 | 45-90 days |
| Standard | Up to £1,000 | £40-£60 | 30-45 days |
| Express | Up to £5,000 | £80-£120 | 10-20 days |
| Walk-through | Any | £250+ | 1-3 days |
Add shipping both ways (£30-£60 insured) and potential VAT on the grading fee.
Process for a UK submitter:
- Open a collector account with NGC or apply through a PCGS authorised agent
- Complete the submission form online, declaring each coin and value
- Ship via fully insured tracked courier
- Wait for grading and invoice
- Pay the grading fee + return shipping
- Receive slabbed coins
When is grading worth it?
Worth it:
- Any coin worth £200+ that isn't already slabbed
- Suspected errors or varieties where authentication matters (e.g. 1933 penny, Kew Gardens 50p)
- Proof pieces at risk of "impaired proof" cleaning damage
- Gold and silver with provenance issues
- Coins you plan to auction, slabs dramatically improve buyer confidence
Not worth it:
- Coins worth under £100 (grading fee exceeds value uplift)
- Bullion sovereigns and Britannias sold at spot
- Low-grade circulated examples
- Coins with obvious issues (cleaned, holed, damaged)
See sovereign values UK, rare UK coins list and Charles III coin guide for context on which coins typically justify submission.
You can track your slabbed collection on MyCoinage, log coins via the coin value checker, browse the catalogue, and compare against the leaderboard to see where your graded pieces rank.
Common questions
Is PCGS more strict than NGC?
Marginally, for US coins, but the gap has narrowed over 15 years and both services are closely calibrated today. For UK coins the difference is negligible.
Can I crack a slab to resubmit?
Yes, but it carries risk, a crack-out doesn't guarantee a re-grade at the same or higher level. Doing so intentionally to "gradeflate" a coin is called gamble grading.
Do all graders agree?
No. Two graders looking at the same coin can disagree by one or two points, particularly in the MS64-MS67 range where fine detail matters. That's why consensus graders and crossover services exist.
What's CAC?
Certified Acceptance Corporation, a third-party verifier that reviews already-slabbed coins and adds a green sticker to ones graded conservatively (solid for the grade). Gold stickers mean the coin could grade higher. CAC stickers add a further 5-15% premium.
FAQ
Q: Should I grade a Kew Gardens 50p?
A: Only if it's in uncirculated condition and you plan to sell. A raw BU Kew Gardens sells for £250-£300; an NGC MS67 sells for £400+. See Kew Gardens 50p value for context.
Q: Are cleaned coins graded?
A: They're authenticated and encapsulated but receive a "Details" label (e.g. "AU Details, Cleaned") with no numeric grade. Sells at 50-80% discount.
Q: Can I grade foreign coins through UK dealers?
A: Yes. Most established UK dealers are PCGS or NGC authorised submitters and can handle the submission on your behalf for a handling fee.
Q: What's the highest grade possible?
A: MS70 or PR70, "perfect". Achievable for modern proof and BU issues but vanishingly rare for older circulating coins. Census tables show counts for each grade.
Q: How do I know a slab is genuine?
A: Check the serial number on the PCGS or NGC public database. Every genuine slab has a unique number tied to the coin's details and image.
Resources and further reading
- NGC UK, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation's UK office. Direct submission for British collectors without going through a US agent.
- PCGS, Professional Coin Grading Service. Largest worldwide, particularly authoritative for US coins.
- CGS UK, British grading service. Lower fees, faster domestic turnaround for UK collectors.
- CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation), third-party verifier that adds a sticker to conservatively-graded slabs. Adds a 5–15% market premium where present.
- British Numismatic Trade Association, directory of UK dealers who handle PCGS/NGC submissions on collectors' behalf.
- Sovereign Rarities and Coin Heritage, established London BNTA dealers experienced in cross-Atlantic submission paperwork.