| Having a coin certified gives an authoritative | | | | before investing is certification. A dealer who |
| opinion as to the coin's grade, and attests to the | | | | supplies many of your coins, or a member of a |
| coin being issue free. However, all grading is based | | | | club to which you both belong, may be willing to |
| on opinion, and as coins blend from one grade into | | | | share a little knowledge with you, as long as you |
| another, opinions among grading specialists may | | | | understand opinions of grade vary. Never should |
| vary. | | | | you approach a cooperative dealer with a |
| Having a coin certified by one of the numerous | | | | disappointing grade from a grading service that |
| grading companies that is not universally accepted | | | | differs from the opinion the dealer gave, unless |
| by numismatists has little effect on the value of a | | | | you wish to eliminate the dealer's expertise from |
| coin. While showing a coin in a slab on an online | | | | your future access. |
| auction site might bring a slightly higher bid than | | | | Another consideration is that the grading service |
| otherwise expected from a coin novice, it is likely | | | | might require that you join. American Numismatic |
| some numismatists might avoid bidding on the | | | | Association members can join NGC, which is one |
| coin based on the perception that the coin is not | | | | of the premiere grading services. If you are an |
| properly represented. This translates to | | | | avid coin collector, joining the American |
| skepticism as to the question of the veracity of | | | | Numismatic Association is well worth doing, and |
| the seller. Sites like eBay also have strict rules | | | | the NGC service is an extra. |
| regarding certified coins. Only those certified by | | | | If you have only one low value coin to submit, |
| one of the few services eBay has on the | | | | inquire whether you can have a dealer handle this |
| approved list allow can be called certified by the | | | | for you. Many coin tiers have a minimum of five |
| seller. | | | | per submittal to NGC, making it impractical to |
| Before sending a coin for grading, ask whether it | | | | send in only one at a time. |
| is a good idea. Having a coin graded is an | | | | Usually, it is understood that very rare pieces will |
| expensive matter. If a coin has a value of $20, | | | | be certified before sale, as an assurance to the |
| and the graded coin might bring in $30, it is not | | | | buyer that the coin is genuine, and in the condition |
| worth the grading fee to enhance the value of | | | | claimed. Selling a coin worth tens of thousands of |
| your coin. Also, if you suspect a coin will grade | | | | dollars may require certification to satisfy the |
| MS-70, which is the grade of a perfect coin, but | | | | buyer, or may be sold conditionally with the buyer |
| instead it grades MS-69, the difference in value | | | | having the right to have the coin certified within a |
| might be more than acceptable. But, once graded | | | | time period to verify all claims. |
| the coin has an expert opinion associated with it. | | | | Coin slabs are transparent on both sides allowing |
| Yes, the slab can be removed, but the cost of | | | | the coin's obverse and reverse to be easily |
| having it placed on the coin will remain your | | | | viewed. If you do have a coin certified, consider |
| expense. Have an idea regarding grade, and ask | | | | paying the nominal extra fee for a scratch-proof |
| for a reassuring opinion from a respected dealer, | | | | slab. |