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