| Coin collecting has been a very popular hobby to | | | | PCGS, PCI, Anacs and the NGC. These services |
| many people of all ages. The marketing of coins | | | | have very good records and are known to |
| has expanded widely and because of this wide | | | | provide valuable and helpful services to consumers |
| the market prices of coins has varied immensely. | | | | with consistent and accurate results in grading. |
| Before, the coin market was limited to a small | | | | They seldom (or never) have been reported to |
| number of collectors and dealers. At that time | | | | be over grading. They are also known for their |
| coins were priced in simpler terms. Since the | | | | expertise in checking the authenticity of a coin |
| market has expanded, dealers have been very | | | | with accuracy. Other important factors are also |
| inconsistent with the prices they set for the coins | | | | considered by these services such as detecting |
| so that became the time when the need for a | | | | any marks and problems with the coins and |
| standard scale arose. That is where the coin | | | | adjustments in the dates and mintmarks. Coin |
| grading service entered the scene. | | | | grading services are also able to detect if there |
| Coin grading services are able to provide services | | | | was toning, cleaning and repair that were made |
| that determine the standard practices so | | | | on the coins that were graded. |
| important in marketing. Any collector who sees | | | | Coin grading services can also help if there is |
| the wide market of coins will see the importance | | | | fraud and/or illegal activities being practiced by |
| of a grading service. There are unscrupulous | | | | dealers. They have hotline numbers available so |
| dealers that over grade the coins that they sell | | | | that consumers can call and report any illegal act. |
| and collectors need to be aware of this. | | | | This helps to ensure that consumers are safe. |
| Coin grading services have standard scales for | | | | Grading services can also guarantee the |
| every coin available on the market. One benefit | | | | authenticity of the coin. Services like the ones |
| grading provides, is that coins will be assessed | | | | offered by PCGS, grading is done by at least |
| fairly and accurately. Antique coins and rare ones | | | | three experts in accordance with the standards |
| will be scaled depending on their origin, quality and | | | | set in their policies. If a consumer thinks that his |
| the purpose for which they were released. | | | | coin over-graded, he can return the coin and have |
| A coin collector may need to use a coin grading | | | | it re-graded to ensure that all information given |
| service when buying a coin so that he is able to | | | | was fair and accurate. |
| check the authenticity of the coin and if the coin | | | | Coin grading services provide guarantees of their |
| is priced fairly. Sellers, on the other hand, use the | | | | grades, and unlike dealers, they do not provide |
| grading service to check if they can generate | | | | this benefit. Dealers are only able to provide |
| income based on the price they have set on the | | | | opinions on grades, they are unable to guarantee |
| specific coin. This practice will also ensure that the | | | | them. |
| prices dealers set are not too high and are close | | | | As coin collectors, people need to ensure that |
| to the actual value of the coin. | | | | they receive a fair for coins - whether buying or |
| Many collectors are victims of fraud - especially | | | | selling. Grading services are there to help and |
| when buying rare coins. A grading service will | | | | assist these collectors and the collectors need to |
| ensure that the coin is not a counterfeit one and | | | | be aware of the benefits of grading services so |
| this will prevent fraud in every negotiation. | | | | that they do not rely on opinions given by dealers. |
| Coins values often change through time. The | | | | When choosing a grading service, you must |
| grading service will ensure that the coin will have | | | | always check the credibility of that service. This |
| the updated price set for it; or determine if a | | | | may be done by checking the Internet to verify |
| coin's value has depreciated, depending on factors | | | | information regarding a certain coin grading |
| like deterioration of the appearance of the coin. | | | | service. Awareness is a very important factor |
| Some of the credible grading services are the | | | | needed to ensure safety among coin collectors. |