Receiving coins for certification and grading

NGC's Receiving Department opens newly arrived packages sent for coin certification and grading each morning and immediately verifies that the number of coins in each package matches the number shown on the submission invoice. A more detailed comparison is then made to ensure that the descriptions by date, denomination and mintmark correspond to the actual coins. The receiving department, as well as every other area of NGC, is monitored by security cameras for ultimate protection and peace of mind.

The NGC Coin grading system

Once coins are entered into our database, they are barcoded and stored within NGC's vault until they are ready to be assessed by the NGC coin graders. Before grading, coins that will include variety designations are examined by a numismatist who specializes in variety attribution. Coins are compared individually against published references to determine whether it qualifies as a particular variety. If so, the appropriate descriptions and numbers are then added to its record. This work is performed without labeling that could identify the submitter, which makes NGC's coin grading system unique and unbiased.

Grading is a team effort, with at least two professional numismatists examining every coin. To maintain impartiality, NGC's coin graders cannot be involved in the commercial buying and selling of coins. Each coin is examined by one NGC coin grader at a time, who enters the coin grade into the system.

In some instances, it may be necessary to add supplemental information that further describes a particular coin. For example, copper is a chemically reactive metal that tends to lose its mint red color over time, so the amount of red color is often diminished. Therefore, NGC coin graders must also enter the determination of whether a copper or bronze coin is fully red (RD), a mixture of red and brown (RB) or all or nearly all brown (BN). These designations appear following numerical coin grades. Other examples of supplemental designations assigned by the NGC coin grader include a determination of whether a Mercury Dime has full split bands (FB), or whether a Franklin Half Dollar displays full lines on its Liberty Bell (FBL). These distinctions may seem esoteric to the beginner collector, but they play a significant role in providing a more complete description, and thus they are essential in the coin grading system.

Coins that have been damaged or display excessive surface hairlines or other detrimental surface conditions must have their surface impairments properly described. This is done using NGC Details Grading, a service performed automatically when applicable. Coins with detrimental surface conditions are described using Details Grades that accord to the level of wear and descriptions of their impairments. They are then encapsulated using a distinctive purple NGC Details Grading label.

There are other coins that cannot be encapsulated by NGC at the determination of NGC coin graders. These include coins that are not genuine or have altered dates or mintmarks. Coins with active residue, including PVC, also cannot be encapsulated but many of these coins are likely to be eligible for NGC certification after conservation. Submitters to NGC can take advantage of its affiliation with NCS, a fellow independent member of the Certified Collectibles Group.

Coin Encapsulation

After coins have been graded and the necessary numbers and text have been entered into the respective data fields, NGC-certified coins are taken from the Grading Department into the NGC Encapsulation Department. Here, labels are printed out bearing the following text: the coin's date, mintmark (if any), denomination, variety (if any), grade, special designation (such as FB for "full bands") and its identification number. This last item is extremely important, as it serves to make each certified coin label unique. It is also an important deterrent to the counterfeiting of NGC's valued coin encapsulation. All of the above information is duplicated in a barcode, which appears underneath the written text on the certified coin's label.

The newly printed labels are matched with the NGC-certified coins to be encapsulated with them. The coins are now ready to be placed inside a plastic core piece that holds it securely within the transparent holder. NGC maintains a wide assortment of these white cores to assure a proper fit, with different size openings to allow for the many United States and foreign coin types certified by NGC. The core, like other components of the holder, is made of inert material that won't affect the encapsulated coin.

Once this is accomplished, each certified coin has its label positioned in place on the core, and these components are then enclosed within matching top and bottom transparent plastic shells. First, however, all of the pieces, including the coin itself, are blown free of dust and other contaminants by a jet of compressed air. This process is performed one more time when the shell pieces have been sealed around the core, through a combination of compression and ultrasonic vibration.

Shipping

After encapsulation, the next step in NGC's coin grading and certification services is to return all coins to the Grading Department for final inspection. An industry professional examines each encapsulated coin to make certain the grade and its accompanying descriptive information is correct on the label. This professional also inspects each coin for any flaws on its holder, such as scuffs or nicks.

When all the coins have been inspected, they're delivered to our Shipping Department for packaging. As in all steps of NGC's coin grading and certification services, coins are counted and labels are checked against the original invoice, to make certain that no mistakes have occurred. A Shipping Department employee then verifies the method of transport as selected by the submitter on the invoice and prepares the coins for delivery.

Regardless of whether the US Postal Service or a private carrier is used, the method of packaging is essentially the same. The encapsulated coins are placed vertically inside boxes made of very sturdy cardboard, and these boxes contain a row of dividers so the holders don't come into contact with one another. A shipping copy of the submitter's invoice is included before the box is sealed, and heavy tape laced with wire is used to prevent accidental or unauthorized opening of the box while it's in transit. Properly registered and insured, the coins are safely shipped and are soon in the hands of their proud owners.