Thread: How do I get a job with NGC/PCGS

I have seen friends of mine go from novice to NGC grader in 3 years. He however spent those 3 years on the show circuit working for a "master grader" and mentor. He groomed him into a grader... This however is not the usual... I would say that it would take a minimum of 10 years of normal show experience to even get a shot... It's all about who you know.

You might also want to contact PCGS and NGC to see what they recommend for experience to qualify for one of their job openings.

Originally Posted by Vess1

You're not allowed to be a collector of coins if you work for them. Were you aware of that rule?

Then Hall would be a hypocrite, would he not?

And on another note, why would you want to grade thousands of ASE's a day. You know you aren't going to grade classic gold if you so happen to get hired.

Originally Posted by JCB1983

I'm confident that I can one day be a grader for NGC/PCGS ............

Maybe you can. But how confident are you that that day is here ?

Where should I go from here?

Thanks,
~Jason

You go apply for the job. They will test you, if you pass you've got a chance.

Several years ago another CT member asked that exact question. I told him the same thing I'm telling you. He got the job as a grader for PCGS.

I might have been feeling too confident. I am going to attend both summer sessions before attempting to find work with them.

Originally Posted by JCB1983

I feel as though I have a natural gift at grading coins. The only coins I am having complete accuracy on are gold coins. ~Jason

Jason, It's in the genes. Your ancestor's are noted for handling gold & silver. You are in the loop.

Originally Posted by Mojavedave

Jason, It's in the genes. Your ancestor's are noted for handling gold & silver. You are in the loop.

What kind of remark is that to make? Doesn't seem nice to me.

Too bad there is no temp. agency for coin grading companies. I have had jobs where temp. to perm. is often an option if the company likes you. What you see at some of the most profitable coin shops is a sharp grader with talent. But many of those workers must adopt the company's policies and philosophies, so you might have to check your Boy Scout principles at the door. Grading services have confidentiality agreements, like the big investment houses. Gotta be really careful what you say about insider or "secret" matters that could be a problem if divulged.

Careful what you wish for.

Grading coins may seem glamorous from a distance but I agree with the others. Looking at hundreds or thousands of ASE's or rolls of 2012 cents from bulk submissions all day long isn't the career choice I'd jump at. Sure, there may be the odd gold coin or rarity that would come by but something like that would probably go to graders with more seniority.

Originally Posted by Mojavedave

Jason, It's in the genes. Your ancestor's are noted for handling gold & silver. You are in the loop.

???

Originally Posted by TheCoinGeezer

What kind of remark is that to make? Doesn't seem nice to me.

Originally Posted by ikandiggit

???

I believe this is in reference to a gold mine that is owned or partially owned in the OP's family, as discussed a while back.

There are super graders who have achieved job security and probably have really good lives. Why do we never here the testimonies of active graders? Confidentiality agreements. Those people know how to keep their mouths shut. When a New England shop owner was asked why they don't give the customers grading and pricing information on raw coins that come in the door, the guy said as an aside that they keep them in the dark because that way they can buy a lot cheaper, "CC" Morgans walk in the door, and they make a critical grade judgment that may not be at all on the side of the customer. They know what uncertified coins will likely grade. I have known dealers who will buy Bust $5 pieces as AUs that grade MS, huge spread!

The graders work in pitch black rooms, with strong halogen and other lights and they must perform day after day at reliable levels or they are gone. For young men and women who are thinking of getting a job like that, I would echo what William Shatner said of his Trekkie followers--get a life! There are lots of jobs out there for intelligent, physically fit young people. You can always go to coin shows on the weekend, and in that department, "the early bird gets the worm".

Every job has its upside and its downside. Those of a grader have been discussed. But what about the job of being a coin buyer ? You work for a company doing nothing but going out and finding coins to buy. At first glance many might think that would be a dream job. But to do that and be successful requires a great level of experience. First of all you have to be an excellent grader with just about all coins. Secondly you have to know the market. Both of those by themselves are huge requirements. Combined they are tremendous requirements. But let's say you can meet those requirements. You will be paid a ton of money !

But is it really a dream job ? Think about what you have to do to do your job. First of all you will almost never be home. You will be on the road virtually the entire year. You will attend just about every coin show there is. And when there are no coin shows you will going to dealer's shops. You will live in hotels and eat in restaurants every day. You will always be rushing to catch this flight or that flight, fighting your way through airport security. You will be on your feet virtually all day long, every day, either looking for coins or going here or there. There will be no such thing as weekends and holidays. Your family, if you have one, won't know who you are.

It is a rare person who will find that life to be a dream job.

Now think of being a coin dealer. You do just about all of that and more, but for a lot less money in most cases.

Or think of being a coin cataloger. You sit at desk every day pouring through books and auction records. You look at a lot of coins, but then you have to write about that coin and describe it in detail with words that are designed to attract buyers. Do that 10,000 times - and you're only through the first few months.

And all of these jobs require a level of knowledge of experience that only a few even have. But then that is true of many jobs. And every job has its upsides, and downsides. Most of us just don't think about them when we dream

In the department of travelling coin buyers I think of David Carr and Dale Larson. They are stars in this department, Carr is at the shows early, Larson is often in Alaska or wherever else his contacts tell him to go. Nice people. At some point the new material will dry up and all the people trying to make money at rare or popular coins will have to re-invent their work plans.