PCGS Grading

The London Coin Company:

PCGS Authorised Dealer

The London Coin Company is an official PCGS Authorised Dealer for the UK and Europe, providing professional certification and grading services for coins and banknotes.


Submission Details

Grading Session: Not available at this time

Deadline: Not available at this time

For Bulk Orders, please contact us.



What is Coin Grading?

Grading is a way of determining the physical condition of a coin.


Grades range from Poor (almost completely worn out) to Perfect Uncirculated (a coin with absolutely no wear and no flaws of any kind). Over 99.9% of all coins fall somewhere between these two extremes.


Coins that have been properly stored since the day they were minted are called "Uncirculated" or "Mint State." If a coin saw circulation for a short time but still looks nearly brand new, it is called (or graded) "About Uncirculated." 


After that, the grades in descending order are Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, About Good, Fair and Poor with a more detailed overview towards the bottom of the page below.

Who is PCGS?

The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) is the most respected name in third-party coin certification. By establishing a universal grading standard, PCGS has paved the way for coin enthusiasts to enjoy buying and selling coins with confidence and have certified and graded over 43,200,000 coins worldwide.


The advent of third-party appraisal of a coin’s physical condition (which is the basis of its grade), backed by the PCGS Guarantee and the network of reputable Authorized Dealers, provides a dependable form of protection for rare coin collectors. PCGS’s respected grading standard has enabled PCGS-graded coins to realize record prices in the marketplace. When experienced collectors buy coins, they often buy them certified by the name they trust — PCGS.


In addition to standardized grading, PCGS offers a guarantee of grading accuracy and authenticity for each coin they encapsulate. With decades of combined experience, PCGS graders are selected from an elite group of world-class numismatic experts — some of the most respected and admired in the rare coin industry. As submissions are received, each coin goes through a step-by-step grading process which ensures the utmost care and consideration of your prized numismatic investment. Their experts handle each coin as if it were part of their own collection.

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Why PCGS?

We decided to work with PCGS as their reputation precedes them and, being one of the main impartial global certification, slabbing and grading companies in the world, our partnership will change the face of coin collecting forever.



Why have we chosen an American company rather than a British one?


The main reason is that PCGS is the most respected of all the coin grading companies in the world and is truly impartial, unlike some of their counterparts, and this is normally shown by prices of coins being realised.


If the same coins are graded by different companies with the same grade, PCGS coins will normally always reach higher resale values than any other coin grading company in the world, so it is a must to consider for any coin collector or dealer.


With record-high precious metal prices, how do you know your coin is genuine or the condition of your coin? This is the perfect way to give you peace of mind and to know your coin(s) are genuine, and their grade and protection are secured for the future.



Submitting your product(s)

Once you have decided which coins and/or banknotes you would like to get certified, slabbed and graded, you should fill out the Coin Grading Submission Form or Gold Shield Banknote Submission Form and send the coins/banknotes with the completed and signed submission form to the address below so that they are received by us no later than the dates mentioned above for inclusion.


The London Coin Company Limited

P.O Box 495

Greater London

HA7 9HS

United Kingdom


 

Once received, they will be checked by our Submission Team and an invoice will be sent for payment to the email address you have provided on the PCGS Coin Grading Submission Form or Gold Shield Banknote Submission Form.


The coins/banknotes will then be submitted for grading and returned to the client upon receipt of cleared payment and once the coins/banknotes have been certified and graded, which normally takes 2–3 weeks after the Grading Week for coins and 5–6 weeks for banknotes.


Download Forms

The PCGS Holder

PCGS, being one of the two main impartial numismatic grading services in the world, is a guarantee that the coin is genuine and has been graded accurately and professionally.

The sonically sealed high-security solid plastic case is individually numbered so that the details of the coin(s) can be verified on a central database, and these cases are also tamper-proof.


In addition, the coin is protected from handling and retains the coin(s) condition and finish long term if looked after, which can be detrimental to the value once sold.



With PCGS grading behind your coins, you are guaranteed a level of impartiality, grading accuracy and authenticity that was previously unavailable, and only the leader in third-party grading can provide.

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Verify your Coin Certificate

You can verify the grade and authenticity of a PCGS Certified Coin by simply clicking the link below and entering the certification number (Cert number is normally the digits after "/" which is unique to the coin or set). The information includes the date, Mint Mark, denomination, variety and grade.

Verify

Price Guide

You can view the PCGS Price Guide by clicking the one of the link's below, the guide prices apply to PCGS Graded Coins for the United States and China.
Coins that do not meet the PCGS grading standards may be worthless and in some cases substantially less, than the prices listed here.

China Price Guide US Price Guide

Set Registry

The PCGS Set Registry was launched in 2001 and is a place for collectors of PCGS Graded Coins to create sets of the coins they collect and compare them with other collectors of PCGS Graded Coins from around the world.


Once the collector has created a set and added the certificate numbers of the coins for that particular set, you will now be able to see how your set compares with other collectors globally.


To help collectors locate PCGS Graded Coins faster and easier online and upgrade their collections or add missing coins from a particular set, PCGS have launched a powerful new search tool PCGS Feature Finds which locates other PCGS Graded Coins on the internet, auctions, eBay, Amazon or an in a fixed price e-commerce listing, giving you the opportunity to add any missing coins from your set or upgrade any coins in your set. (Look for the Shop Now Button)


Giving collectors an easier way of completing a collection and upgrading their sets and helping the collector create one of the finest collections in the world.


The PCGS Set Registry and PCGS Shop Button are a free service available to all members of the PCGS Set Registry, the hobby’s first online tool for organizing and analyzing your PCGS coin collection.


To start your free PCGS Set Registry Account and access the Shop Button

More Information Feature Finds

PCGS Coin Grades

Grade Description
PO-1 Identifiable date and type
FR-2 Mostly worn though some detail is visible
AG-3 Worn rims but most lettering is readable though worn
G-4 Slightly worn rims flat detail peripheral lettering nearly full
G-6 Rims complete with flat detail peripheral lettering full
VG-8 Design worn with slight detail
VG-10 Design worn with slight detail slightly clearer
F-12 Some deeply recessed areas with detail all lettering sharp
F-15 Slightly more detail in recessed areas all lettering sharp
VF-20 Some definition of detail all lettering full and sharp
VF-25 Slightly more definition in detail and lettering
VF-30 Almost complete detail with flat areas
VF-35 Detail complete but worn with high points flat
EF-40 Detail complete with most high points slightly flat
EF-45 Detail complete with some high points flat
EF-45+ Detail complete with a few high points flat superior eye appeal
AU-50 Full detail with friction over most surface slight flatness on high points
AU-50+ Full detail with friction very slight flatness good eye appeal
AU-53 Full detail with friction over half or more surface slight flatness
AU-53+ Full detail friction on half surface extremely slight flatness positive eye appeal
AU-55 Full detail friction on less than half surface mainly high points
AU-55+ Full detail slight friction less than half surface good eye appeal
AU-58 Full detail only slight friction on high points
AU-58+ Full detail barest trace friction superior eye appeal
MS/PR-60 No wear many heavy marks strike may not be full
MS/PR-61 No wear multiple heavy marks strike may not be full
MS/PR-62 No wear slightly fewer marks strike may not be full
MS/PR-62+ No wear slightly above marks attractive eye appeal
MS/PR-63 Moderate marks strike may not be full
MS/PR-63+ Average marks good eye appeal
MS/PR-64 Few marks or some severe ones strike average or above
MS/PR-64+ Very few marks superior eye appeal
MS/PR-65 Minor marks none in focal areas above average strike
MS/PR-65+ Very minor marks strong eye appeal
MS/PR-66 Few minor marks good strike
MS/PR-66+ Very few marks very good strike superior eye appeal
MS/PR-67 Virtually as struck minor imperfections very well struck
MS/PR-67+ Very minor imperfections attractive eye appeal
MS/PR-68 Slight imperfections near full strike
MS/PR-68+ Very slight imperfections very good eye appeal
MS/PR-69 Minuscule imperfections near full strike
MS/PR-70 As struck full strike

PCGS Designations

Designation Description
Color RD Red
Color RB Red-Brown
Color BN Brown
Strike FS Full Steps
Strike FB Full Bands
Strike FH Full Head
Strike FBL Full Bell Lines
Surface DM Deep Mirror Prooflike
Surface PL Prooflike
Surface DC Deep Cameo
Strike CA Cameo
Strike BM Branch Mint Proof
Strike BMCA Branch Mint Cameo
FS First Strike
SF Satin Finish
SMS Special Mint Set
SP Specimen
Pos A Edge lettering facing up with reverse up
Pos B Edge lettering facing up with obverse up

Problem Coins

All of the coins in this category (other than 83 and 99) submitted through the regular PCGS services will be placed in a PCGS Genuine Holder, ungraded, with one of the following numerical codes placed after the coin number on the holder insert.

On certain No Grades (as noted in the table below), the problem is more fully described on the insert.

To read a more comprehensive description of any No Grade, click on the “more” link of any No Grade category.

Code Reason Explanation Described Holdered
82 Filed Rims Rim or edge filed Yes Yes
83 Peeling Lamination Potential sealing damage Yes No
84 Holed or Plugged Filled or non filled hole Yes Yes
91 Questionable Color Artificial re-toning or dipped copper No Yes
92 Cleaning Harsh cleaning or polishing No Yes
93 Planchet Flaw Large prominent flaws No Yes
94 Altered Surfaces Applied substance wax putty lacquer No Yes
95 Scratches Large prominent scratches No Yes
97 Environmental Damage Corrosion toning verdigris No Yes
98 Damage Metal movement Yes Yes
99 PVC Residue Oily PVC substance Yes No

No Grades

Occasionally, the experts at PCGS encounter coins which, for one reason or another, cannot be authenticated or graded. These “No Grade” coins fall into three categories: problem coins, inconclusive, or ineligible.

“No Grades” in the first category will be placed in a PCGS Genuine capsule (except where noted). Those in the final two categories will be returned to the submitter un-encapsulated. All coins, encapsulated or not, will receive one of the “No Grade” codes listed in the tables below.

Code Reason Explanation Described Holdered
86 Authenticity Unverifiable Status inconclusive Yes No
90 Counterfeit Fake or altered coin Yes No
96 No Service Item not graded by PCGS Yes No

International Comparisons

International grading scales compared with PCGS grading, which is based on the 1–70 Sheldon Scale, and is the guide PCGS uses for every coin they grade.

PCGS USA France England Germany Italy Poland Description
AG 3 About Good Bien Conservee Fair Gering Discreto Stan 5 Worn rims lettering readable
G 4-6 Good Tres Bien Conservee Fair Gut Erhalten Discreto Worn rims lettering readable
VG 8-10 Very Good Beau Nearly Fine Sehr Gut Erhalten Bello Stan 4 Design worn slight detail
F 12-15 Fine Tres Beau Nearly Fine Schon Molto Bello Recessed detail sharp lettering
VF 20-25 Very Fine Tres Beau Fine Sehr Schon Molto Bello Stan 3 Full lettering defined detail
VF 30-35 Very Fine Tres Tres Beau Very Fine Sehr Schon Bellissimo Almost complete detail
EF 40-45 Extremely Fine Tres Tres Beau Good Vorzueglich Bellissimo High points slightly flat
AU 50-53 About Uncirculated Superbe Extremely Fine Fast Stempelganz Splendido Full detail friction present
AU 55-58 About Uncirculated Superbe Good Fast Stempelglanz Splendido Stan 2 Friction on high points
MS/PR 60-62 Mint State Neuf About Uncirculated Bankfrisch FDC No wear heavy marks
MS/PR 63-64 Choice Mint State Splendide Uncirculated Stempelglanz FDC Moderate marks
MS/PR 65-66 Gem Mint State Fleur de Coin FDC Erstabschlag FDC Stan 1 Minor marks strong strike
MS/PR 67-68 Superb Gem Fleur de Coin FDC Exceptional Erstabschlag FDC Virtually as struck

Ready to grade?

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