Log in Sign up
PCGS

Professional Coin Grading Service

The premier coin authentication and grading service since 1986

Coins Founded 1986 Santa Ana, California

About PCGS

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) was founded in 1986 and is one of the two most trusted coin grading services in the world. As a pioneer in third-party coin authentication and grading, PCGS helped create the modern coin market by establishing standardized grades that allowed sight-unseen trading of certified coins.

PCGS uses the Sheldon 1-70 grading scale and is known for their rigorous grading standards. Their holders feature TrueView high-resolution imaging and secure tamper-evident encapsulation. The PCGS CoinFacts database provides extensive reference information including auction prices, population data, and historical values for virtually every U.S. coin.

PCGS introduced the concept of the PCGS Set Registry, allowing collectors to build and compete with complete sets of graded coins. Their price guide and auction database are considered essential resources for serious numismatists. PCGS-graded coins are widely traded and accepted at all major auction houses and dealer networks.

PCGS Grading Scale

PCGS uses the Sheldon scale (1-70), the industry standard for numismatic grading.

Grade Label Description
MS/PR 70 Perfect Uncirculated A flawless coin showing no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification. Full strike and full original luster. The pinnacle of coin grading.
MS/PR 69 Near Perfect Virtually perfect with the slightest weakness or minor imperfection. Full luster and outstanding eye appeal.
MS/PR 68 Superb Gem Sharply struck with only the most trivial imperfections. Full luster and exceptional eye appeal.
MS/PR 67 Superb Gem A premium quality coin with full luster. Minimal marks or hairlines visible only under magnification.
MS/PR 66 Gem Above-average quality with good luster and strike. Minor marks that don't detract from overall appearance.
MS/PR 65 Gem Strong luster and strike with light contact marks. An attractive coin suitable for high-quality collections.
MS/PR 64 Choice Attractive with moderate luster. May have several minor marks or one moderate distracting mark.
MS/PR 63 Choice Moderate marks or blemishes in focal areas. Impaired luster possible. Still desirable.
MS/PR 60-62 Uncirculated No wear on highest points. May have significant marks, hairlines, or unattractive toning. Still technically uncirculated.
AU 50-58 About Uncirculated Trace to slight wear on highest points. Most original luster remaining.
XF 40-45 Extremely Fine Light overall wear on high points. All design elements sharp. Traces of luster may remain.
VF 20-35 Very Fine Moderate wear on high points. All major details clear.
F 12-15 Fine Even, moderate wear. All elements visible but some may be flat.
VG 8-10 Very Good Well-worn but major design elements clear.
G 4-6 Good Heavily worn with design visible but flat.
AG 3 About Good Very heavily worn. Date and design outline visible.
PO 1 Poor Barely identifiable. Heavily worn or damaged but type determinable.

What Makes PCGS Unique

  • Pioneer in third-party coin grading since 1986
  • TrueView high-resolution imaging for certified coins
  • PCGS Set Registry for competitive collection building
  • CoinFacts database with prices, population, and auction records
  • PCGS Price Guide — a primary valuation reference for U.S. coins

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Grading Companies

NGC Numismatic Guaranty Company Coins
All View All Graders 6 companies

Track your PCGS slabs with Slabbed

Add your PCGS-graded coins to your portfolio. Enter a cert number or snap a photo — we handle the rest.

Get Started Free