Home >> Collecting >> Coin Collecting

How to Send Your Coins in to Get Graded

Professionally graded coins will always sell for more money than an identical, but ungraded coin. Because of this, it is worthwhile to get any particularly valuable coins you own professionally graded. The process of having your coins graded can be confusing. Most coin grading services require you to purchase a membership in order to use their coin-grading services. This may be worthwhile if you intend to have several coins graded, but there are ways around this if you only want one or two coins graded.

Instructions

- 1
  Ask your local coin dealer if they are authorized by one of the major coin grading companies like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC). If this is the case, you only need to present the coins to the dealer and pay any fees required for grading.
- 2
  Purchase coin holders for each of the coins you wish to have graded from a coin store. Plastic holders are generally the best choice for sending coins through the mail, but polyester-film flips can also be used. The coin dealer can help you choose good holders.
- 3
  Secure the coins in their holders. Although this process may differ from holder to holder, it is generally straight forward. Again, the coin dealer can explain how to do this.
- 4
  Choose a coin grading service and visit their website. Information on how to submit coins to that specific service, as well as any forms you need to fill out, can be found there. The American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS) offers coin grading services for nonmembers if you are hesitant about joining a coin grading service.
- 5
  Follow the directions and fill out the forms as accurately as possible. Make sure to note any fees that are associated with getting your coins graded, and send an appropriate form of payment with your coins.
- 6
  Send the coins through the mail as instructed by the grading service. Purchase insurance from the post office if your coins are valuable. The coins will be officially graded and then sent back to you.

Coin Collecting