Where do you go for coin grading?

[Quimster]

Hello everyone.? Does anyone know the process of having a coin officially graded?? I am lucky enough to have in my collection a 1916 D mercury dime.? From my books it appears to me to be at least a G-8 to a F-12 but that's my opinion.? I live in New Hampshire so I'm not sure if Boston MA would be the closest place that might have the ability to grade coins?? I remember reading somewhere that there are no walk in places to have this service done anymore.? I guess there all mail in services.? If that is true which is the best? How much does it typically cost to have it done?? Thanks in advance to everyone who takes the time to reply.?

Thanks,

Jesse

 

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[idahotokens]

Since "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", and everyone grading coins was an individual, a coin could receive varying grades from everyone who looked at it. This caused the evolution of grading services, that supposedly produced "official" grades. As part of their service, for a fee these outfits would authenticate a coin, grade it, and then "slab" or encapsulate it in plastic so it would be environmentally protected and tamperproof. For the most part, these companies provide good service, but there are many stories about under- or over-grading, and people "cracking out" the coins and re-submitting them in hopes of (usually) a higher grade. That is usually only worthwhile in a high-dollar coin - at least $1000. The service itself is based on a flat fee plus a percentage of market value. If you Google "numismatic grading service" you will find several companies that will provide the service. Also, some coin dealers will submit your coin with a batch of theirs for a price. John in ID

 

[ModernDayWarrior]

This is just my opinion, I would go with NGC. I've done some research and have found that some of the other grading services overgrade and undergrade or are not consistant. I have a few coins graded by NGC and ICG. I felt that NGC was more accurate. I knew of a company that was pre-selling MS70 2006 silver eagles that were graded by ICG. How can they garaunty a certain amount to be MS70 if the coins had not been released from the mint yet? Like I said, this is just my opinion.

Warrior