THE HISTORY OF COIN GRADING

Rarity and condition are key elements in establishing the value of a coin. Rarity is easy to establish, as there is widespread agreement on the rarity of most coins. Evaluating condition is more of a challenge. In the early years of coin collecting, three general terms were used to describe a coin's grade:

• Good, where details were visible but circulation had worn the surface;
• Fine, where details were less worn from circulation and a bit of the mint luster showed; and
• Uncirculated, where details were sharp and there was a luster approaching the state of the coin at the mint, prior to general circulation

As the collector market for coins grew rapidly in the late 1800s and early 1900s, it became apparent that a more precise grading standard was needed. Some coins were simply more fine than others, and some uncirculated coins showed more luster and far fewer marks than others. Terms like "gem uncirculated" and "very fine" began to see use, as more precise grading descriptions allowed for more precise pricing for the booming collector market.

In 1948, a well-known numismatist by the name of Dr. William Sheldon attempted to standardize coin grading by proposing what is now known as the Sheldon Scale. His scale, which runs from one to 70, was originally devised specifically for large cents, but it is now applied to all series. The Sheldon Scale was a vast improvement over grades such as Good and Fine, but there was still substantial room for disagreement among two parties based on subjective opinion.

For a buyer with an untrained eye, this was a problem. If you were unable to distinguish between an MS-63 and MS-65 coin, you were at the mercy of the seller who established the grade. Even a one-point difference in grade could mean hundreds or even thousands of dollars difference in value. With so much riding on opinions that varied widely, it was difficult for collectors to justify purchasing coins of any significant value.

NGC has assembled the finest, most respected team of graders in the industry.

In 1987, coin grading was raised to a new level of consistency with the founding of Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). NGC's unique approach is to have each coin evaluated by a minimum of three full-time grading experts with decades of experience. The graded coin is designated with its NGC grade, attribution and registration number, then sonically-sealed in NGC's secured holder ideally prepared to provide protection and easy storage.

NGC certified coins offer guaranteed authenticity and grading expertise so that collectors may buy and sell even the most expensive coins with a greater confidence. Millions of collector coins, and a remarkable number of the world's finest known coin rarities, have been entrusted to NGC for grading. Just a few of the renowned coins graded by NGC include:

• The Eliasberg 1913 Liberty Nickel
• The Eliasberg 1885 Trade Dollar
• The 1866 No Motto Proof Seated Liberty Dollar
• The Norweb 1861 Paquet reverse $20 gold piece

Numerous sets and collections like:

• The American Numismatic Association's triumvirate of a 1913 Liberty Nickel and two 1804 Bust Dollars
• The Knoxville Silver Type Collection

Today, expertise and grading standards considered to be the most consistent among grading services have helped establish NGC as the largest grading service in the world. NGC is now grading more coins than any other service. In addition, NGC has the largest dealer network totaling over 1,600 member/dealers.

There are many reasons why you should send your coins to NGC to be graded.

There are important advantages for collectors and coin professionals in having their coins graded by NGC. First, NGC's numismatic experts will establish that a coin is authentic and free of problems that would exclude it from encapsulation.

Second, coins that are submitted to NGC are assessed for their condition and then assigned a numerical grade. This grade is important because it is a primary element in gauging value. It is important that coin collectors have their coins accurately graded according to a consistent standard, which is readily accepted in the open marketplace, in case they wish to sell their coins. NGC's expertise in this area is what has made it the number one third-party grading service.

Third, an important advantage to having NGC grading is encapsulation in NGC's secure and protective, hard plastic holder. The NGC holder has been found in an impartial test of grading service holders to be the most effective holder available on the market today for protecting coins from many outside contaminants.

It's easy to submit your coins for NGC grading by contacting one of the 1,600-plus NGC authorized member/ dealers worldwide. Each has agreed to honor the NGC commitment to providing professionalism and quality service, as well as the expertise to assist you in screening your coins for grading and selecting appropriate NGC submission tiers. Or you may become a member of the Collectors' Society and enjoy the benefits of the most complete collector's resource available anywhere.