Coin Grading Cost
PCGS, NGC & ANACS Fees Compared
Complete breakdown of coin grading costs in 2026. Compare PCGS, NGC, and ANACS fees, turnaround times, and learn when grading is worth the investment.
PCGS Grading Costs 2026
Industry leader with highest market premiums
| Service Level | Price Per Coin | Turnaround | Max Value | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $20 | 65 business days | $300 | Bulk submissions, modern coins |
| RegularMost Popular | $35 | 30 business days | $300 | Most collector coins |
| Express | $75 | 10 business days | $2,500 | Higher-value coins |
| WalkThrough | $150 | 5 business days | $10,000 | Premium/rare coins |
| Super Express | $300 | 2 business days | $25,000 | Urgent/high-value |
Additional PCGS Costs
- • Shipping to PCGS: $15-30 (registered/insured mail required)
- • Return shipping: Usually included in service fee
- • Insurance: 1% of declared value (minimum varies by service)
- • Reholder/regrade: $15-20 for existing PCGS coins
- • TrueView photography: $15-25 (optional high-res images)
Total real cost per coin: $50-$100+ for most submissions
NGC Grading Costs 2026
Second-largest service with competitive pricing
| Service Level | Price Per Coin | Turnaround | Max Value | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | $20 | 60 business days | $300 | Bulk modern coins |
| ModernPopular | $30 | 25 business days | $300 | Modern era coins |
| Express | $60 | 10 business days | $2,500 | Mid-value coins |
| WalkThrough | $125 | 5 business days | $10,000 | Premium coins |
| Early Bird | $250 | 3 business days | $25,000 | Time-sensitive |
NGC vs PCGS: Key Differences
- • NGC typically costs $5 less per service level
- • NGC has slightly faster turnaround times
- • PCGS commands 5-10% higher market premiums
- • NGC preferred for world coins, PCGS for U.S. coins
- • Both offer similar accuracy and quality
Additional NGC Costs
- • Shipping to NGC: $15-30 (insured required)
- • Return shipping: Included in most services
- • Insurance: Based on declared value
- • Reholder: $20 per coin
- • Photography: $10-20 (optional)
ANACS Grading Costs 2026
Most affordable option for budget-conscious collectors
| Service Level | Price Per Coin | Turnaround | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EconomyCheapest | $14 | 35-40 business days | Lower-value coins, bulk |
| Regular | $20 | 20-25 business days | Standard service |
| Express | $50 | 10 business days | Faster turnaround |
| Priority | $150 | 5 business days | Time-sensitive |
When to Choose ANACS
ANACS is perfect for budget-conscious collectors and lower-value coins where the $14-20 fee makes more financial sense than PCGS/NGC.
- ✓ Common-date coins worth $50-200 raw
- ✓ Coins you're keeping (not reselling)
- ✓ Authentication more important than premium
- ✓ Learning coin grading on a budget
- ✗ High-value coins (PCGS/NGC command better premiums)
Real Total Cost Per Coin
Most people forget these hidden costs
PCGS Regular
NGC Modern
ANACS Economy
Pro Tip: The 3X Rule
Only submit coins where certification will add at least 3X the total cost in value. For PCGS Regular ($60 total), your coin should be worth at least $180 more when certified. This ensures grading is financially worthwhile.
Is Coin Grading Worth the Cost?
Calculate before you spend
Worth Grading
- • High-grade modern coins (MS-67+) with big jumps in value
- • Key dates worth $200+ raw where authentication adds value
- • Coins with exceptional eye appeal or unique features
- • Borderline gem coins (MS-64/65) in hot markets
- • Any coin passing the 3X rule after AI pre-grading
- • Coins you plan to sell (certification increases buyer confidence)
Not Worth Grading
- • Common-date circulated coins (below AU-55)
- • Coins with cleaning, damage, or environmental issues
- • Low-value coins where fee exceeds raw value
- • Modern bullion without special designations (unless MS-70)
- • Coins failing the 3X rule (won't add 3X cost in value)
- • Coins you're keeping forever (unless for insurance)
How to Save Money on Coin Grading
Smart strategies to reduce costs
Pre-Screen with AI
Use CoinGrader AI to pre-screen coins before submitting. Avoid wasting $50-100 on coins that won't grade well or add enough value. This alone can save hundreds per year.
Submit in Bulk
Combine multiple coins in one submission to split shipping costs. Instead of $20 per coin for shipping, you might pay $30 total for 5 coins ($6 each). Save 70% on shipping.
Use Slower Service Levels
Unless you need coins back urgently, use Value/Economy service. Wait 60 days instead of 30 and save $15-20 per coin. For 10 coins, that's $150-200 saved.
Join Dealer Programs
PCGS and NGC offer dealer memberships ($150-300/year) with discounted rates. If you grade 20+ coins per year, dealer pricing ($25 vs $35) pays for membership and saves money.
Choose Service Wisely
Use ANACS for lower-value coins ($14 vs $35). Save $21 per coin. Use NGC over PCGS when resale premium doesn't matter. Use PCGS only for premium coins where it adds 5-10% more value.
Skip Optional Services
TrueView photos, special labels, and oversized holders add $10-30 per coin. Only buy these for high-value coins or coins you're selling where professional photos help.
Potential Savings
By pre-screening, bulk submitting, using economy service, and choosing the right grading company, the average collector can reduce costs from $60 per coin to $30-40 per coin—a 33-50% savings!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does coin grading cost?
Coin grading costs $14-$300+ per coin depending on the service (PCGS, NGC, ANACS) and turnaround speed. The most popular option is PCGS Regular at $35 per coin with a 30-day turnaround. Total real cost including shipping and insurance is typically $50-100 per coin.
What is the cheapest coin grading service?
ANACS offers the cheapest coin grading at $14 per coin for economy service. However, PCGS and NGC command 5-15% higher market premiums despite costing more ($20-35). Choose based on your coin's value and whether you're selling or keeping it.
Is coin grading worth the cost?
Coin grading is worth the cost when the certified value exceeds the raw value by at least 3X the total grading cost (including fees, shipping, and insurance). For example, if total cost is $60, the coin should be worth at least $180 more when certified. Use AI pre-screening to avoid bad submissions.
How long does coin grading take?
Coin grading turnaround times range from 2-65 business days depending on service level. PCGS: 5-65 days ($20-300). NGC: 3-60 days ($20-250). ANACS: 5-40 days ($14-150). Add 1-2 weeks for shipping each way. Most collectors use 30-day regular service.
Should I use PCGS or NGC?
PCGS commands 5-10% higher market premiums and is preferred for U.S. coins, especially when reselling. NGC costs slightly less and has faster turnaround, making it good for personal collections or world coins. Both offer similar grading accuracy. Choose PCGS for premium/investment coins, NGC for value-conscious grading.
How can I reduce coin grading costs?
Reduce costs by: 1) Pre-screening coins with AI to avoid bad submissions, 2) Submitting in bulk to split shipping, 3) Using economy/value service levels when not time-sensitive, 4) Choosing ANACS for lower-value coins, 5) Joining dealer programs if you grade 20+ coins/year, 6) Skipping optional services like TrueView photos.
Calculate If Grading is Worth It
Use our free AI-powered tool to estimate your coin's grade and calculate potential ROI before spending $50-100 on professional grading.
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