Graded Coins
Coins assessed by a third-party grading service and encapsulated with a numeric grade on a standard scale.
Third-party graded coins
A graded coin has been examined independently, assigned a grade on a standard numeric scale, and sealed in a holder with a label recording what it is and how it was assessed. The holder protects the coin and the label carries an opinion on condition formed outside the sale.
Grading is especially useful in areas where condition drives value sharply, and where cleaning or tooling can be difficult to judge from photographs alone.
Reading the label
- Numeric grade — higher numbers indicate better preservation.
- Designation — additional notes on strike or surface quality.
- Attribution — country, ruler, date and denomination.
- Holder integrity — worth checking before purchase.