What Are Certified Gold Coins?

First, a coin is purchased in its “raw” state by a trained numismatist. At this stage the risk of financial loss is greatest. Next, the coin is sent to the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, an independent non-biased entity, which “certifies” its grade and authenticity for the entire market. Finally, the graded coin is sonically sealed in a hard plastic tamper-proof holder. This eliminates potential bias with...

The History of Coin Grading

Rarity and condition are key elements in establishing the value of a coin. Rarity is easy to establish, as there is widespread agreement on the rarity of most coins. Evaluating condition is more of a challenge. In the early years of coin collecting, three general terms were used to describe a coin’s grade: Good: Details were visible but circulation had worn the surface Fine: Details were less worn from...