PCGS vs NGC: Who’s the Best Coin Grading Company in 2023?

Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) are today’s most reputable third-party grading services. Coin collectors trust these companies when it comes to authenticating, grading, preserving, and increasing the value of their coin collections.   

Read on to learn more about their history, reputation, grading standard, and pricing with this extensive NGC vs PCGS comparison. 

Grading history 

PCGS and NGC have a long history of providing consistent, dependable, and accurate grading and authentication services to coin collectors and dealers worldwide. 

PCGS 

Leading coin experts established PCGS in 1985 to protect rare coin collectors from inaccurate grading through a universal grading standard. PCGS has made notable improvements in the rare coin industry by creating standardized grading and reliable third-party certification. 

NGC

Founded in 1987 and based out of Sarasota Florida, NGC is now the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), and several other organizations. NGC claims to have the highest number of graded coins, successfully grading over 55 million coins throughout its history.

Market preference and reputation 

Overall, collectors perceive PCGS as the superior third-party grading service. Collectors and dealers generally pay more for PCGS-graded coins, which means these coins have a higher resale value. 

However, many collectors consider NGC the leading grading company for foreign coins. NGC is quite reputable for accurately grading ancient coins. 

Strictness level of grading standards 

PCGS and NGC use strict procedures and employ dozens of expert coin graders to ensure impartial results.  

PCGS: more stringent standards

PCGS has a reputation for maintaining stricter grading standards, resulting in higher resale value.

• Their 70-point grading scale is considered one of the most consistent and accurate in the coin-grading industry.
• PCGS is the industry leader in terms of grade accuracy and set registry. Most set registry collectors prefer PCGS. 

NGC: more lenient grading standards

NGC uses a similar 70-point scale. Some collectors find NGC to have more lenient standards than PCGS. For example, PCGS may grade a coin as MS-65, whereas NGC may grade the same coin as MS-66. 

While PCGS is better known for having a stricter grading scale, this general perception is not a definitive fact. Some collectors report that NGC provided a more accurate grading for certain coins than PCGS. 

Grading may vary significantly depending on many factors. Different graders may have distinct opinions on a coin’s condition and preservation. The population reports for a specific coin can also affect its rarity and value.  

Evaluate and compare PCGS and NGC’s population data to determine which service offers more stringent grading for a particular issue. You can also check eBay to get insights by comparing similar graded coins. 

PCGS and NGC grading guarantee and storage 

The PCGS cash-back grading guarantee 

PCGS offers a guarantee of grade and authenticity. This cash-back policy ensures that an assigned grade is accurate as long as the coin stays in its tamper-evident NumisCap holder. PCGS-authorized dealers will accept all PCGS-assigned coin grades. 

Sonically sealed capsules for lasting storage 

PCGS pioneered the use of tamper-evident and sonically sealed capsules to back up their grade and authenticity guarantee. 

Every PCGS coin capsule has a permanently sealed unique certification number that coin owners can use for reliable identification when buying and selling coins. The tamper-evident holder assures maximum protection for storing rare coins. 

The NGC guarantee

NGC-certified coins in NGC holders are guaranteed genuine and not overgraded. NGC authentic hand-signed labels are guaranteed to have a real autograph from the individual identified on the label. 

NGC may pay back the grading fees and shipping expenses or offer other solutions for NGC-certified coins that are determined not genuine or overgraded. 

Advanced protective holder fused with a hologram 

NGC claims to have spent more than $1 million to design the best coin holders for lasting preservation and protection. Every NGC holder has a unique hologram fused directly to its back. 

• The hologram has numerous security features, making NGC holders hard to counterfeit or tamper.
• Finely tuned machines seal these holders using ultrasonic welding to prevent tampering.

Comparison chart of PCGS vs. NGC pricing 2023 

NGC and PCGS have nearly similar pricing for standard grading services. Fees vary depending on the type and value of the coin and the requested service level. 

Check out the following services and fees of NGC vs PCGS in 2023: 

Service type	PCGS maximum coin value	NGC maximum coin value	PCGS price	NGC price
Economy (not gold, non-hammered)	$300	$300	$23	$23
Regular	$2,500	$3,000	$40	$40
Express	$10,000	$10,000	$70	$80
Walkthrough	$100,000	$25,000	$150	$175
Unlimited walkthrough		Unlimited		$350 (plus 1% of fair market value)
Modern/modern value (1965 to date)	$300/$2,500	$3,000	$17/$30	$19
Mint Errors	$10,000	Tier	$70	Tier + $18

NGC and PCGS charge extra for additional services, such as high-resolution imaging for coins. 

Both companies offer varying subscription types: 

PCGS Collectors Club membership levels 

All PCGS membership types offer coin and banknote submission privileges, quarterly grading specials, 10% off PCGS store supplies, and more. 

• Silver ($69) – basic level with no grading vouchers
• Gold ($149) – standard level with four grading vouchers
• Platinum ($249) – premium level with eight grading vouchers 

NGC membership levels 

All NGC membership types offer direct submission privileges and full access to online resources. 

• Associate ($25) – 10% off at the CCG Store and 10% off select add-on services 
• Premium ($149) – All associate benefits plus a $150 NGC credit
• Elite ($299) – All premium benefits plus bulk submission rates and labels and 10% off NGC grading, PMG grading, and NCS conservation 

General turnaround times

Here are the estimated turnaround times between NGC vs PCGS: 

Service type	PCGS U.S.	PCGS world	NGC U.S.	NGC world
Economy	60 days	65 days	23 days	28 days
Regular	50 days	60 days	15 days	45 days
Express	15 days	20 days	7 days	11 days
Modern	20 days	70 days	36 days	19 days

Overall, NGC offers faster turnaround times, although not guaranteed. 

Keep in mind that turnaround times of grading companies fluctuate depending on many factors, including the submission volumes, service level, and the value and type of submitted coins. Peak seasons may result in longer wait times for both companies. 

FAQs about choosing the best grading company

Final thoughts

If you want a higher resale value for your coins, PCGS is an excellent option. But if you have a collection of world and ancient coins, some collectors report that NGC has a better grading track record. 

Nonetheless, both PCGS and NGC are highly reputable professional grading brands. Your final choice will depend on your personal preferences and priorities.

Read also: How to tell if gold is real