Best Coin Graders 2026
PCGS vs NGC vs ANACS
Complete comparison of professional coin grading services. Compare fees, turnaround times, market premiums, and find the best grader for your coins.
Top 3 Professional Coin Grading Services
The only grading services serious collectors trust
PCGS
Professional Coin Grading Service
- Commands 5-10% higher prices
- Most trusted for U.S. coins
- Best for resale value
- TrueView photography available
NGC
Numismatic Guaranty Company
- $5-10 cheaper than PCGS
- Slightly faster turnaround
- Best for world coins
- Excellent modern coin services
ANACS
American Numismatic Assoc.
- Cheapest grading option
- Good for lower-value coins
- Oldest grading service (est. 1972)
- Best for personal collections
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare features, pricing, and value proposition
| Feature | PCGS | NGC | ANACS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Price | $20 | $20 | $14 |
| Most Popular Service | $35 (Regular) | $30 (Modern) | $20 (Regular) |
| Fastest Turnaround | 2 days ($300) | 3 days ($250) | 5 days ($150) |
| Standard Turnaround | 30 days | 25 days | 20-25 days |
| Market Premium | Highest (5-10%) | Excellent | Moderate |
| Best For | Premium U.S. coins | Value & world coins | Budget submissions |
| Coins Graded | 50+ Million | 55+ Million | 15+ Million |
| Founded | 1986 | 1987 | 1972 (Oldest) |
| Photography Service | TrueView ($15-25) | Yes ($10-20) | Limited |
| Dealer Program | $249/year | $299/year | $150/year |
| Online Population Reports | ✓ Free | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Guarantee | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
PCGS - Professional Coin Grading Service
The industry standard for U.S. coins
Why Choose PCGS?
- Highest Market Premiums: PCGS-graded coins consistently sell for 5-10% more than NGC or ANACS equivalents at auction.
- Industry Leader: Founded in 1986, PCGS pioneered third-party grading and remains the most trusted name for U.S. coins.
- TrueView Photography: Optional professional photography service that dramatically improves online sales presentation.
- Comprehensive Price Guide: PCGS CoinFacts provides free population reports and pricing data for collectors.
- Registry Sets: The PCGS Set Registry is the most popular competitive collecting platform with over $2 billion in registered coins.
When to Use PCGS
Best For:
- • High-value U.S. coins (worth $500+)
- • Key dates and rare varieties
- • Coins you plan to sell at auction
- • Investment-grade coins
- • Registry set building
- • When maximum resale value matters
Not Ideal For:
- • Lower-value coins (under $100)
- • Personal collections you're keeping
- • Budget-conscious collectors
- • World coins (NGC is better)
- • When speed is more important than premium
NGC - Numismatic Guaranty Company
Best value with competitive pricing
Why Choose NGC?
- Better Value: NGC typically costs $5-10 less per service level while maintaining similar quality and accuracy to PCGS.
- Faster Turnaround: NGC generally processes coins 5-10 days faster than PCGS at equivalent service levels.
- World Coin Specialist: NGC is the preferred choice for ancient, world, and foreign coins with more specialized expertise.
- Modern Coin Services: NGC's "Modern" service level at $30 is perfect for contemporary coins with fast 25-day turnaround.
- Excellent Market Acceptance: While PCGS commands slightly higher premiums, NGC-graded coins sell extremely well and are universally accepted.
When to Use NGC
Best For:
- • World and ancient coins
- • Modern bullion coins
- • Value-conscious grading
- • Personal collections
- • When faster turnaround matters
- • Mid-range coins ($100-500)
Pro Tip:
For most collectors, NGC offers the best balance of cost, turnaround time, and market acceptance. Save $5-10 per coin without sacrificing quality. Only choose PCGS for ultra-premium coins where the 5-10% market premium justifies the extra cost.
ANACS - American Numismatic Association
The most affordable grading option
Why Choose ANACS?
- Lowest Cost: ANACS starts at just $14 per coin—the most affordable third-party grading available.
- Oldest Service: Established in 1972, ANACS was the first third-party grading service with 50+ years of experience.
- Problem Coin Specialist: ANACS will grade and authenticate problem coins that PCGS/NGC might reject ("Cleaned," "Damaged," etc.).
- Fast Regular Service: ANACS regular service (20-25 days) is faster than PCGS/NGC economy options and costs less.
- Perfect for Learning: Budget-friendly option for new collectors learning coin grading without breaking the bank.
When to Use ANACS
Best For:
- • Lower-value coins (under $100)
- • Personal collections you're keeping
- • Learning coin grading
- • Problem coins needing authentication
- • When cost is the primary concern
- • Common-date coins in nice condition
Limitations:
- • Lower market premiums than PCGS/NGC
- • Less desirable for high-value coins
- • Not ideal for resale at major auctions
- • Smaller population reports and price guides
- • Less name recognition among casual buyers
Which Coin Grader Should You Choose?
Follow this simple decision tree
Choose PCGS If:
- Your coin is worth $500+ raw
- You're building a registry set
- You plan to sell at major auction
- You want maximum resale value
- It's a key date or rare variety
- You're a serious U.S. coin collector
Choose NGC If:
- Your coin is worth $100-500 raw
- You want the best value per dollar
- You're grading world/ancient coins
- You need faster turnaround
- It's a modern/bullion coin
- You're keeping it (not selling soon)
Choose ANACS If:
- Your coin is worth under $100 raw
- You're building a personal collection
- Cost is your primary concern
- You're learning coin grading
- Your coin has problems/cleaning
- You want authentication only
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best coin grading services?
The top three professional coin grading services are PCGS (industry leader with highest market premiums), NGC (best value with competitive pricing), and ANACS (most affordable for budget collectors). All three are reputable, but PCGS commands 5-10% higher auction prices.
Should I use PCGS or NGC?
Choose PCGS for premium U.S. coins worth $500+, key dates, or coins you plan to sell at major auctions. Choose NGC for value-conscious grading, world coins, modern bullion, or personal collections. NGC costs $5-10 less and has faster turnaround, while PCGS commands slightly higher resale premiums.
Is ANACS grading any good?
Yes, ANACS is a legitimate and respected grading service, especially for lower-value coins and personal collections. While ANACS-graded coins don't command the same market premiums as PCGS or NGC, the service is reliable, accurate, and significantly cheaper ($14 vs $35). Best for coins under $100 raw value or when cost is the primary concern.
How long does coin grading take?
Turnaround times vary by service level: PCGS (5-65 days), NGC (3-60 days), ANACS (5-40 days). Most collectors use regular 30-day service ($30-35). Express services (5-10 days) cost $75-150. Add 1-2 weeks for shipping each way. Total time from mailing to receiving graded coins is typically 4-8 weeks.
Can I submit coins directly to PCGS/NGC/ANACS?
Yes, all three services accept direct submissions from collectors. You don't need to be a dealer. However, dealer memberships ($150-300/year) offer discounted rates if you grade 20+ coins annually. Submit directly through their websites, following packaging and shipping instructions carefully. Registered mail with insurance is required.
What happens if I disagree with the grade?
All three services offer review/regrade options. For PCGS/NGC, you can request reconsideration ($15-20) if you believe the grade is incorrect. ANACS has similar policies. Keep in mind: grades can go down upon resubmission. It's often better to use AI pre-screening before initial submission to set realistic expectations.
Pre-Screen Before Submitting to Any Grader
Use our free AI tool to estimate your coin's grade before spending $50-100 on PCGS, NGC, or ANACS. Know which service is right for your coin and whether grading makes financial sense.
Pre-Grade My Coin FreeNo credit card required • Instant results • Works for all grading services