HOW ARE U.S. GOLD & SILVER RARE COINS CERTIFIED?
How are United States rare gold and silver coins authenticated, graded, and certified?
The answer lies in the three leading independent Third-Party Grading Services (TPGS), on which the U.S. rare coin industry depends to verify authenticity, assign grades, certify, and document the population of these coins.
The Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) are impartial third-party grading services that guarantee 100% authentication and certification of the condition and quality of all U.S. gold and silver rare coins they assess.
Experts from CAC, PCGS, and NGC evaluate each coin collectively without preconceived notions about its market value. The identity of the individual or company submitting a coin for authentication, certification, and grading remains confidential, and each coin undergoes a thorough examination.
In cases where graders disagree on the authenticity, condition, quality, or grade of a coin, a "finalizer" is called in to determine the coin's final grade.
At Minuteman Rare Coin Company, we exclusively acquire, recommend, and offer United States gold and silver rare coins that are authenticated, certified, and fully guaranteed by one of the three leading grading services for our clients' collections.
We invite you to explore our web page dedicated to collecting and investing in rare United States gold and silver coins, filled with valuable insights, tips, and some of our secrets to success.
You will gain valuable insights into how to collect and invest in genuine, certified American rarities successfully. This will allow you to build the most historically significant, valuable, and rewarding collection of rare U.S. gold and silver coins, which you will cherish for life and serve as a true testament to your legacy and be treasured by future generations!
WHAT DETERMINES A COINS GRADE, CONDITION & VALUE?
The four key factors that determine a rare coin's grade, condition, and value are:
1. Surface Preservation
2. Strike
3. Luster
4. Eye Appeal
Once a coin satisfies these criteria and its authenticity and condition are verified, it receives a numerical grade ranging from 1 to 70 according to the Sheldon rare coin grading scale.
The coin's value is then assessed based on this numerical grade, which serves as a starting point; various elements like "eye appeal," toning, and a CAC-approved green sticker can enhance its value.
Each coin is placed in a plastic holder and sonically sealed, with interior labels ensuring airtight closure.
These labels indicate the coin's minting year, denomination, mint of origin, numerical grade (e.g., MS-65), and assigned serial number.
This process is called "slabbing," a term for any holder utilized by a Third-Party Grading Service after they have professionally authenticated, graded, and certified a coin.
Once a coin receives a numerical grade, it is documented in a population or census report. These reports serve as essential resources for collectors, investors, and the rare coin industry, offering insights into the quantities of coins within specific grades and conditions.
Before 1986, when Third Party Grading Services (TPGS) came into existence (PCGS), collectors and investors without trained eye expertise struggled to accurately assess a coin's grade, condition, and value, which often varied significantly among sellers.
Third-party grading services like PCGS and NGC resolved many challenges untrained collectors and investors faced before 1986.
For instance, before 1986, if you couldn't differentiate between an Uncirculated Mint State-63 and an Uncirculated Mint State-65, you relied entirely on the seller to determine the coin's grade, condition, and value.
(Even a slight one-point difference in a coin's grade could translate to hundreds or thousands of dollars in value.)
With so much depending on sellers' opinions, it was challenging for novice investors and collectors to justify purchasing coins of substantial value.
At Minuteman Rare Coin, we guarantee that our clients own 100% genuine, authentic, and certified U.S. rare gold and silver coins.
CERTIFIED ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION (CAC)
CAC was established in 2007 to evaluate coins authenticated, graded, certified, and encapsulated by PCGS and NGC. Initially, it did not offer grading and encapsulation services.
Today, it provides grading services, but in the past, when it assessed a certified and encapsulated coin by either PCGS or NGC and found it to be in the top 10 to 15% of its grade, it awarded a green approval sticker, often boosting its value by up to 30%.
Coins deemed undergraded received a gold sticker, which can enhance their value by as much as 90%.
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(CAC) awarded green stickers solely to coins that met strict quality criteria and were deemed "solid" for their grade.
The coins with CAC green stickers represent a small fraction of the rare coin market but hold considerable importance in the industry.
At Minuteman Rare Coin, we consistently acquire PCGS and NGC (CAC)-green stickered coins. We will also highly recommend (CACG) graded coins as they become available.
THE SHELDON RARE COIN GRADING SCALE
In 1949, Dr. William Sheldon pioneered consistent definitions for coin grading. He created a grading scale that ranges from 1 to 70 and classified coins based on their condition.
Essentially, a coin's value increases according to its preservation level. Uncirculated Mint State coins at the higher end of the scale receive a grade between 60 and 70.
MS Mint State 60-70
AU About Uncirculated 50-59
XF Extremely Fine 40-49
VF Very Fine 20-39
F Fine 12-19
VG Very Good 8-11
G Good 4-7
AG About Good 3
F Fair 2
P Poor 1
Mint State Terminology
Uncirculated MS-60-62
Select Uncirculated MS-63
Choice Uncirculated MS-64
Gem Uncirculated MS-65
Superb Gem Unc. MS-66+
Coins graded above 60 in Uncirculated Mint State condition generally hold significantly higher value than those graded below 60, which is reflected in their pricing. They often present the most significant potential for price appreciation and consistent growth in value over time.
However, rare gold and silver coins graded below 60 can be exceptions to this rule when few coins are known to exist in Uncirculated State condition due to factors like low survival rates, low mintages, and mass melting.
A prime example is the gold 1909-O (New Orleans) $5 Indian Head Half Eagle, with fewer than 100 known examples graded above 60 in Uncirculated Mint State. There are just over 100 of the 1909-O that are authenticated and certified by PCGS in AU-55 (About Uncirculated) condition, and if you can find one, those coins are valued between $14,000 and $17,500.
Uncirculated Mint State 1909-O coins graded between 60 and 66 are priced between $32,000 and $750,000.
WHAT ARE CIRCULATED COINS?
As coins change hands among individuals and businesses, they become worn from frequent handling, earning the designation "circulated." This wear diminishes the coin's luster and detail, which cannot be restored.
Generally, circulated coins are less valuable and sought after than uncirculated Mint State coins, with some exceptions.
For instance, circulated coins like the 1889-CC (Carson City) Morgan Silver Dollar fetch premium prices due to the lack of availability and the scarcity of documented uncirculated Mint State examples in population and census reports.
WHAT ARE TONED COINS?
Over time, coins, especially silver coins like the Morgan Silver Dollar, can undergo a chemical reaction called oxidation. This reaction interacts with the coin's surface metal and results in toning.
This natural process can produce stunning rainbow-colored silver dollars, displaying hues from blue to magenta, red to orange, olive green, and gold.
However, toning can also lead to corrosion, causing irreversible damage to the coin's surface and creating undesirable shades of black and brown.
Discerning collectors and savvy investors seek beautiful, naturally toned coins. Coins with more vibrant colors and a broader spectrum of hues can significantly increase their value.
Rare coins that appear ordinary and are readily available but exhibit remarkable toning can achieve exceptional values.
MINUTEMAN RARE COIN
We invite you to join our community of passionate collectors and investors today and begin assembling a historically significant, valuable, and rewarding collection of rare United States gold and silver coins you will cherish forever!
Create a legacy with a rare coin collection that will enhance your life and bring joy to future generations!
Tap into our experience and expertise in collecting and investing in United States rare coins.
Don't settle for an ordinary rare coin collection; let's create an extraordinary rare coin collection together!
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Seize this opportunity to expand your numismatic rare coin knowledge and embark on a captivating and historic journey into the world of rare United States gold and silver coins. Begin your numismatic journey and learn how to master the art of collecting and investing in rare United States gold and silver coins with us today!
Sincerely,
Edward Walsh
President/CEO
Lead Numismatist
Minuteman Rare Coin
