Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) are the leading independent coin grading services whose standards are accepted throughout the numismatic industry. You should only buy coins that are graded by PCGS or NGC. The advent of these two firms in the 1980s transformed the rare coin market. They offer protection for investors and collectors by guaranteeing the grades of the coins which they certify and also virtually eliminate the possibility of counterfeiting. By maintaining meticulous records on the coins that they certify, PCGS and NGC also help dealers, investors and collectors determine the relative rarity of surviving coins which were originally minted between 1795 and 1933.
Thanks for posting this information about both PCGSS and NGC. I have used both companies when grading my coins and love both of them. They have decent prices for their members and offer quick shipping. I would not go with any other company to grade my coins.
PCGS and NGC will not add a numerical grade on coins that were previously cleaned, no matter if they are not visible to the naked eye. For older coins that may have been cleaned even once in the past, it may be better to go with a second tier company that will give it a numerical grade while at the same time indicating that the coin has in fact been cleaned. PCGS will indicate that a coin is "genuine" but if it detects cleaning, will not assign a numerical grade.Something to think about before paying the coin grading fees, shipping and handling.
