Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. NGC will grade most circulation issue mint errors as well as most Proof mint errors struck prior to 1985. Mint errors struck after that date are evaluated for NGC grading on a case-by-case basis. NGC does not recognize as mint errors those coins with minor die chips, breaks, rotations, etc., which fall within our interpretation of mint tolerance. The determination of what constitutes a mint error is solely at the discretion of NGC.

NGC will not grade coins that are counterfeit, are of questionable authenticity or have been altered. In addition, NGC will not grade coins that have active surface contaminants such as PVC residue. These coins will often be eligible for NGC certification after conservation by Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS), an independent affiliate of NGC.

If NGC graders examine a coin and believe that it will not be possible to determine whether it is authentic or not, it will be called “Questionable Authenticity” and the grading fee will be refunded, less a US $5 processing charge.

If NGC graders examine a coin and believe that additional research is required to determine its authenticity, they will conduct a comprehensive review, which will include extensive research and/or consultations with outside experts. If NGC is still unable to determine whether the coin is authentic or not after this additional research and consultation, the coin will be called “Authenticity Unverifiable.” The regular grading fee will still apply.

On occasion, NGC will return a coin as NOT SUITABLE FOR CERTIFICATION. This is used for coins that are severely damaged or otherwise impaired. The surface condition of these coins makes it impossible for NGC to render a conclusive opinion about authenticity, NGC Details grade or both. When a coin is determined to be NOT SUITABLE, NGC will refund the grading fee, less a $5 processing charge.

NGC offers the "Early Releases" and "First Releases" designations for selected coins received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository during the first 30 days of release. The term “EARLY RELEASES” or “FIRST RELEASES” will be noted as part of the coin’s description on the NGC certification label. For a list of eligible coins and cutoff dates, click here.

Early Releases and First Releases coins are listed separately in the NGC Census. They are also eligible for inclusion in the popular NGC Registry. In certain markets NGC will offer bilingual Early Releases and First Releases labels. The same definitions, cutoff dates and NGC Registry treatment applies.

Learn more about Early Releases and First Releases

NGC assigns the Plus () Designation to coins at the high end of their assigned numeric grade. For example, a coin is graded NGC MS 64 if it approaches the quality of a coin graded NGC MS 65. NGC assigns its trademarked Star () Designation to coins that have exceptional eye appeal for their assigned numeric grade.

Learn more about NGC Plus () and Star () Designations

NGC assigns an adjectival NGC Details grade to coins that have surface conditions that preclude numeric grading. These surface conditions include improper cleaning, scratches and damage.

No. Once a coin is removed from an NGC holder the NGC Guarantee no longer applies. This is because NGC cannot account for where that coin has been, what if anything has been done to it, and for the overall subjective nature of coin grading itself.

NGC cannot always perform its ReHolder service for NGC-certified coins encapsulated with color holders, specialty holders and/or special labels. Some holders and labels are retired after a period of time, while others were made exclusively for a particular customer. If your NGC-certified coin is encapsulated with a non-standard holder or label it is suggested that you contact NGC Customer Service prior to submitting it for ReHolder.

NGC will generally use the newest version of its holder for coins submitted under its ReHolder service. In addition, if a particular label has been updated since the coin was originally encapsulated, NGC will generally use the newest version of that label. It is not generally possible to receive an older version of an NGC holder or label when submitting for ReHolder.

A pedigree describes the current and/or past ownership of a coin. It notates the collector or collectors who have previously owned a particular coin. For example, a coin from the Eric P. Newman Collection may be pedigreed “Eric P. Newman” or “Newman” on the NGC certification label. NGC will pedigree coins to significant collectors or collections if sufficient documentation is provided.

Pedigrees can also be used to describe hoards. A submitter may request that their own name or the name of a collection be listed as the pedigree on the NGC certification label, subject to NGC's approval.

NGC will sometimes pedigree coins to a specific mint-issued set as long as there is no doubt that the coins were issued as part of that set.

An example would be 2011 American Silver Eagles with the 25TH ANNIVERSARY SET pedigree, which were issued as part of the US Mint's five-coin 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. Some of these coins were also issued separately from the 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. NGC will therefore assign the 25TH ANNIVERSARY SET pedigree only to coins that arrive in the original 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set packaging sealed inside of the intact, original US Mint shipping box.

In some cases, coins may need to arrive in the original mint packaging only and not sealed inside of the intact, original US Mint shipping box to be pedigreed to a specific set. This is generally allowed for packaging that is tamper-evident. In addition, coins that were issued only as part of the set may not need to be submitted with any original mint packaging.

Important: The recognition of a set pedigree is at NGC's sole discretion, and not all sets may be attributed on the NGC label. It is therefore recommended that submitters contact NGC Customer Service prior to requesting a coin be pedigreed to a set to confirm eligibility and submission requirements unless an article with these instructions has already been posted to the NGC website.

Releases Designations recognize coins that were received by NGC within a specific timeframe or at a particular event. For example, the Early Releases and First Releases designations are used for select coins that must generally be received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository within 30 days of the coin's release. Learn more about NGC Releases Designations >

Pedigrees generally reflect a coin's provenance. For example, a coin that was once part of the Garrett Collection may be pedigreed to the Garrett Collection on the NGC certification label. NGC may also use a pedigree to mark an event or provide other information about the coin. Learn more about NGC Pedigrees >

Strike Characters modify a coin's numeric grade to describe certain attributes or qualities. For example, copper coins receive a strike character to describe their color: BN for Brown, RB for Red Brown and RD for Red. Another example of a strike character is 6FS, which describes a Mint State Jefferson Nickel that has six full steps in Monticello on the reverse. See a full list of NGC Strike Characters >

NGC offers a free Appearance Review service in the event that someone believes that an NGC-certified coin is overgraded. Coins that are reviewed and downgraded by NGC are covered by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee of grade and authenticity. To read the full NGC Guarantee, click here.

If you disagree with a grade previously assigned by NGC, you may submit the coin for review for a higher grade. The coin must be intact in its NGC holder. Choose a grading tier according to the coin’s value and the tier requirements. Coins are graded according to NGCʼs grading standards, and a higher grade is not guaranteed. Fees are not refunded if a higher grade is not received. A coin submitted for ReGrade will be removed from its NGC holder by NGC staff and encapsulated with a new NGC holder, label and certification number, even if the grade does not change. All coins submitted under ReGrade are subject to the terms and conditions of the NGC Guarantee. In the unlikely event that the grade is determined to be lower through ReGrade, the ReGrade will be converted into an Appearance Review under the NGC Guarantee.

Gloves make it more difficult to hold a coin and increase the likelihood of it being dropped or mishandled. It is widely accepted within numismatics that a coin should be held on its edge with clean, dry hands and without gloves.

Similarly, librarians who handle rare books are generally discouraged from wearing gloves due to the increased likelihood of tearing a page or otherwise damaging a book. The Library of Congress, for example, states that “contrary to widespread belief, gloves are not necessarily recommended to handle rare or valuable books…it is generally preferable to handle your books with clean hands, washed with soap and thoroughly dried, rather than with gloves.” Extensive research on this subject is available online.

NGC Ancients, a division of NGC dedicated to certifying ancient coins of the Western world, is committed to grading only genuine coins and will only grade coins that it considers genuine at the time of submission. NGC Ancients cannot, however, guarantee the authenticity, genuineness, type, attribution or date of any coin that it grades.

Unlike modern coins, which often benefit from well-documented, scientific parameters for the verification of authenticity, there rarely is conclusive data for ancient coins, and generally there is no surviving documentation to verify production characteristics. Almost without exception, ancient coins have been recovered from burial, either under land or water. Some recoveries date back centuries, while others are more recent. Even in ancient times, coins were counterfeited, copied and imitated.

If a particular submitted coin can positively be connected to a specific find or recovery that is documented, or is on track for documentation, it will be so designated if requested to do so by the submitter. However, even with these coins there can be no guarantee of their genuineness.

The dating and attribution of an ancient coin (the basic identification of a coin’s place of origin, issuing authority, date of issue, design elements, specific variety, etc.) is oftentimes uncertain or is a matter of scholarly conjecture. Multiple and different attributions can coexist, each simultaneously finding acceptance within the numismatic community; in these cases NGC Ancients will use the attribution it considers most valid.

New research or archeological evidence may challenge or change the consensus about an ancient coin’s attribution, date, identification and even its authenticity. Consequently, the opinion of NGC Ancients on these matters is subject to change with the introduction of new information, or of existing information of which its grading staff was unaware at the time of holdering. Every effort will be made in good faith by NGC Ancients to properly attribute ancient coins, but no guarantee is made as to these qualities.

Therefore, with ancient coins NGC Ancients will only guarantee the grade. It is recommended that buyers purchase ancient coins from sellers who offer unconditional lifetime guaranties of authenticity, and who otherwise stand behind their sales.

Read the NGC Guarantee >

NGC is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, in a 6,000-square-meter purpose-built facility. It also has a 1,500-square-meter purpose-built facility in Shanghai, China, and Official Submission Centers in Munich, Germany; Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Xi'an, China; Seoul, Korea; Singapore; IJsselstein, the Netherlands; and Tokyo, Japan.

NGC can be contacted by mail, telephone, fax or email.

China – Hong Kong SAR
CCG Hong Kong Ltd.
Suites 1208-10, 12/F, Tower 1,
The Gateway, Harbour City,
25 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,
Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
(+852) 2115 3639
(+852) 2115 3783 fax
Service@NGCcoin.hk

United States
NGC
P.O. Box 4776
Sarasota, FL 34230
United States
1-800-NGC-COIN toll free
(+1) 941 360 3990
(+1) 941 360 2553 fax
Service@NGCcoin.com

United Kingdom
Certified Collectibles Group - International UK Limited
69 Southampton Row, Second Floor
Bloomsbury
WC1B 4ET
London, United Kingdom
(+44) (0) 20 3968 3848
(+44) (0) 20 3968 3849 fax
Service@NGCcoin.uk

China – Mainland
NGC Shanghai Business Information Consulting Co., Ltd.
Unit 1101-41, Shanghai Central Plaza,
381 Huaihai Middle Road,
Shanghai, China 200020
(+86) 400 635 8226 toll free
(+86) 21 6091 2581 fax
Service@NGCcoin.cn

Germany
Certified Collectibles Group - International GmbH
Seidlstrasse 28,
80335 Munich, Germany
+49 (0) 89 550 66 780
Service@NGCcoin.de

India
NGC India Numismatic Services Private Limited
Service@NGCcoin.in

CCG Hong Kong Collector members may submit their coins directly. Join today!

Once you are a member, you can schedule an appointment to drop off your submissions at CCG Hong Kong’s office, or you can ship your submissions to CCG Hong Kong.

To schedule an appointment to drop off at the Hong Kong office:

Contact CCG Hong Kong on (+852) 2115 3639 or at Service@NGCcoin.hk. You must schedule an appointment to submit in person.

To arrange a shipment to the Hong Kong office:

The submitter is responsible for selecting the carrier and level of insurance. CCG Hong Kong is not liable for losses or damage to coins in transit. Shipments should be addressed to:

CCG Hong Kong Ltd.
Suite 1208-10, 12/F, Tower 1,
The Gateway, Harbour City,
25 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui,
Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

Note: Submissions sent through the mail must be delivered to CCG Hong Kong’s office during normal business hours.

To arrange a shipment from the Hong Kong office:

Fill out the Hong Kong Return Shipping Form, which can be found here. Make sure to:

• Enter all information requested in the form.
• Select your own carrier (which requires a completed shipping label) or authorize CCG Hong Kong to arrange shipping by EMS according to the rate table in the form (recommended).
• Make sure you sign your form.
• Include the completed form with your submission.

Note: If a Hong Kong Return Shipping Form is not included with a submission, CCG Hong Kong will hold the coins at its office for pick-up.

Payments to CCG Hong Kong are accepted by Visa, Mastercard and electronic transfer.

Many CCG Hong Kong Authorized Dealers also accept submissions from the public.

NGC's grading fees are generally based on a coin's fair market value and the submitter's desired turnaround time. For a comprehensive list of all NGC grading tiers, service tiers, fees and requirements, click here.

Yes, you may send multiple submissions to NGC in the same box. You may not, however, send submissions to NGC and another independent affiliate (e.g. NCS or PMG) in the same box.

NGC headquarters is a secure 60,000 square foot purpose-built facility with two large vaults, a staff of armed guards and more than 150 security cameras. Submissions to NGC are opened under security cameras and each coin is immediately assigned a unique identification number that is used to track it throughout every stage of NGC's grading process. All coins are fully insured while in NGC's possession and are handled only by trained staff.

When a submission is received by NGC it is opened by trained staff under security cameras. Each coin is entered into NGC's proprietary system and assigned a unique identification number with a barcode that is used to track the coin throughout the NGC grading process. At this stage, the coins are separated from the submission paperwork so that the NGC graders never know the submitter's identify, which ensures impartiality.

Coins are then transferred to the NGC grading room, where multiple professional graders carefully examine each coin. After grading, coins are encapsulated in NGC's EdgeView® holder, the same holder that was extensively tested by the Smithsonian Institution and is currently used to protect more than 300 of that museum's greatest rarities.

After encapsulation, coins are returned to the NGC grading room for a final inspection. Images are then taken of the encapsulated coin for NGC's free online Verify NGC Certification tool, available at NGCcoin.com.

Finally, the coins are matched up to the original submission form and brought to NGC's shipping department. Every coin is individually counted and checked against the submission paperwork to make certain that no mistakes occurred. Coins are then securely packaged in a sturdy cardboard box that contains dividers so that the NGC holders do not come into contact with each other. The NGC-certified coins are now ready to be sent back to the submitter.

Yes. NGC Collector members and NGC Authorized Dealers may login at NGCcoin.com to track the status of their submission. Submitters may also contact NGC Customer Service at Service@NGCcoin.hk or +852 2115 3639.

An independent affiliate of NGC, Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) was established in 2001 as the world's first professional coin conservation service. NCS conservation removes harmful surface contaminants, stabilizes a coin for long-term preservation and can dramatically improve a coin's eye appeal. After conservation by NCS, coins can be seamlessly transferred to NGC for grading.

Learn more about Numismatic Conservation Services >

NCS conservation can help coins with unattractive toning, copper spots and other surface issues. Customers may submit a coin already certified by NGC for a service that includes NCS conservation and an NGC ReGrade (NCS+ReGrade). If NCS declines to conserve a particular coin under this combined service, then NGC will not perform the ReGrade. If the customer wants the NGC ReGrade regardless of the NCS determination, then the customer should write on their submission form: REGRADE REGARDLESS OF NCS DECISION.

NGC offers the Advance Releases designation for select coins that are purchased by designated mint customers prior to the publicly posted first day that a mint makes a new coin issue available for sale. For example, if the mint’s public calendar identifies the first day of sales as January 10, coins qualifying for Advance Releases must be purchased by designated mint customers prior to that date, typically through a bulk advance purchasing arrangement with the mint.

To qualify for Advance Releases, coins must be purchased by designated mint customers prior to the publicly posted first day that a mint makes a new coin issue available for sale and must be received by NGC or an NGC-approved depository within one week of their ship date. NGC will require that the submitter provide adequate evidence (including purchase receipts) to demonstrate the date when the coins were purchased and shipped.

The Advance Releases designation is made available only to select submitters of bulk quantities of qualifying coins. An advance request is required and there is generally a higher grading fee for the specific designation verification and attribution.

Note: Advance Releases is not available for any submissions received in Mainland China.

Advance Releases is listed separately in the NGC Census. If any coins have been graded with the Advance Releases designation, they will appear when the variety symbol beneath a non-designated issue is clicked.

Yes, Advance Releases coins are eligible for inclusion in the popular NGC Registry. Advance Releases coins receive the same point score as non-designated issues.

Only certain coins will be designated Advance Releases by NGC. This designation is offered only to select submitters of bulk quantities of qualify coins. To qualify for Advance Releases, coins must meet the requirements specified under What is “Advance Releases”? above.

Once your submission has been delivered to NGC, your order cannot be cancelled or changed. NGC has already started working on your submission to perform your requested services. No refunds can be given after a submission has been delivered.

Please note that turnaround times are only estimates and are not guaranteed. For current services and fees as well as turnaround times, click here.

NGC Collectors Society members receive direct submission privileges to NGC and other Certified Collectibles Group companies. Certain membership levels also offer grading coupons and discounts. Click here to see all of the NGC Collectors Society benefits and join.

Yes. Your NGC Collectors membership entitles you to submit to Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS), Paper Money Guaranty (PMG) and Certified Guaranty Company (CGC).

Yes. This grading credit expires on the membership expiration date listed in your confirmation email.

No. Your membership is valid for submissions of your collectibles ONLY. You may not submit on behalf of any third party.

Because of the benefits received with your membership, a pro-rated refund is not available. However, if you have signed up for auto-renewal of your membership, and decide within 30 days of auto-renewal that you would like to cancel your membership, you may receive a refund of your membership dues by contacting NGC Customer Service at Service@NGCcoin.hk or +1 852-2115-3639.

Competitive Sets are defined by NGC, with available slots for each coin in each set. Coins are ranked based on relative rarity and grade, and collectors receive points accordingly. It's a great way to participate in the Registry, as it offers friendly competition and establishes collecting goals. It's also easy to compare collections and see some outstanding sets.

Many collectors choose to assemble their own sets in unique ways, as personal expressions of what they find fascinating about collecting. Custom Sets are ideal for this kind of collector. You define the set's theme and choose which coins are eligible, and you can either share them or keep them private.

All NGC-certified coins are eligible for the NGC Registry. Coins certified by PCGS are eligible for most US coin Competitive Sets as well as Custom Sets. There may not be Competitive Sets for every coin, however. If you would like to request a new Competitive Set category, you can request it by emailing Registry@NGCcoin.com.

Note: The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with PCGS. PCGS is a registered trademark of Collectors Universe, Inc.

CAC coins can be entered into NGC Registry sets and My Competitive Coins simply by using the Add Coin function, like you do with all other coins. The Add Coin button is easily recognizable by its green plus sign and can be found at the upper right of any page on NGCcoin.hk.

Note: The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with CAC. CAC is a registered trademark of Certified Acceptance Corporation.

Yes, you can enter CAC coins into any NGC Registry set for the coin type. (CAC does not evaluate all coin types.) NGC Registry sets can have a mix of CAC coins and other coins.

If your coin is described incorrectly on the certification label, you should contact the grading service about getting it corrected. If you have an NGC-certified coin that has a mechanical or clerical error, contact NGC Customer Service about a free correction.

If your coin is described incorrectly in the NGC Registry, you should click on the coin description, then click on the “Wrong Coin/Grade?” option near the top of the page, then follow the prompts. You must be logged in to the NGC website to report an incorrectly described coin.

To view a list of your NGC Registry coins, go to the NGC Registry and click on “My Competitive Coins” in the menu at the left.

The NGC Registry assigns a score to each coin in a competitive set based on the relative rarity of the coin’s type, date and grade, its market value and NGC’s expert opinion. An algorithm carefully designed by NGC weighs these factors to calculate the NGC Registry score for each coin and grade.

When a competitive set is ranked in the NGC Registry, its rank is calculated based on the total of the individual scores of all the coins in the set.

We place a value on each coin, based on the relative rarity of its type, date and grade, and many additional factors such as population, market value and expert opinion. A set's rank is based on the total of the individual scores of all the coins. A scoring algorithm developed by NGC helps make the sets competitive for everyone, even collectors with a limited budget.

NGC assigns a () to coins that fall at the high end of their assigned grade, approaching the quality requirements for the next grade. In addition to their superior technical merit, coins receiving a Plus must have above-average eye appeal. A coin with Plus Designation is automatically assigned a Registry point premium. Learn more about NGC Plus Designation.

NGC assigns a () to coins with exceptional eye appeal for their assigned grade. A coin with Star designation is automatically assigned a Registry point premium. Learn more about the NGC Star Designation.

No, CAC coins receive the same score as coins certified by NGC or PCGS.

No, NGC Details coins earn 50% of the score given to a numerically graded coin of the same condition. NGC Details Grades include a prefix that indicates wear (UNC, AU, etc.) and a notation of the detrimental surface condition that prevented NGC from assigning a numerical grade. Learn more about NGC Details Grading.

When a set is assigned a score in the Registry, the sole purpose of that score is to provide a standard against which other sets in the Registry can be compared. A Registry score is not intended to be used as a basis for determining market value, and Registry scores may be changed from time to time.

The NGC Registry ranks sets first according to the set's score. If two or more sets have the same score, the tie will be broken based on the percentage of coins with images. If two or more sets have the same score and the same percentage of coins with images, then the tie will be broken based on the percentage of coins with descriptions.

To summarize, ranking is achieved by considering the following, in order:
1. Set score
2. Percentage of coins with images
3. Percentage of coins with descriptions

If all of the above items are equal between sets, then sets will be sorted by the date the rank was achieved (first to achieve it will appear higher), but they will have the same rank number beside their set.

Autobuild Set makes it easier than ever to build the best set, improve your ranking and compete for NGC Registry awards. If you're new to the NGC Registry, it's the fastest way to get the coins you've added into a set. If you already have an NGC Registry set, Autobuild Set helps to make sure it’s receiving as many points as possible.

How it works

1. Create a set, or go to an existing set, and click the green “Autobuild Set” button.
2. Each slot is filled with your highest-scoring available coin for that slot.
3. Lower-scoring coins are removed from each slot, if applicable. Removed coins can be found in your coin list when Autobuild Set is complete.

Note: If no opportunities to improve your set score are found, the set will not be updated.

Other details

1. Coins can only compete once per set category. If a coin is already saved in a different set of the same set category, Autobuild Set will ignore it.
2. PCGS-certified coins must be approved by an admin before Autobuild Set can add them to a set.
3. Autobuild Set cannot fill coins that appear only in Collection Manager. If the coin is not in your coin list, Autobuild Set can’t add it to a set.
4. Certain set categories have multiple slots that can accept the same coin. In this case, Autobuild Set will add the coin to the first slot where it will receive the highest score, but only if adding the coin will increase the total set score.
5. In rare cases, Autobuild Set may not be able to add a coin that belongs in the set due to an error. If you believe your coin should have been added, please contact the NGC Registry at Registry@NGCcoin.com or +852 2115 3639.

You can email Registry@NGCcoin.com.