Early Releases and Other Release Designations

NGC offers several designations for coins with a documented date of release. These special designations are used by NGC when coins are accompanied by documentation or received by NGC for certification within a specified time-window. NGC's conventions for their use are described on this website.

Early Releases | First Day of Issue | First Year of Issue | First Strikes (discontinued) | First Strike Ceremony Coins | Numbered First Strike Editions | FAQ

EARLY RELEASES

NGC offers the Early Releases designation for US Bullion Coins released by the US Mint during the first month of release. Coins receiving this designation will be encapsulated in an NGC holder with special label, with the words EARLY RELEASES appearing beneath the year of issue and denomination on the NGC label.

To qualify for Early Releases designation all coins must be received by NGC within 30 days of their release by the US Mint, or documented as being received by an NGC approved depository within this same 30-day period. Coins being sent directly to NGC do not need to be accompanied by original packaging or shipped in sealed mint boxes, but must arrive within the time period described above. The Early Releases request must be noted on the submission invoice, and additional service fees apply for the special label and designation verification.

All Proof and Mint State Silver, Gold, and Platinum Eagle and Buffalo issues are eligible. NGC also maintains a complete list of cutoff dates for eligible coins.

FIRST DAY OF ISSUE

NGC will designate FIRST DAY OF ISSUE on circulating US Coins that have an official release date. To qualify, coins must be received by NGC on the official release date or by overnight mail or air carrier on the day immediately following the official release date. Alternatively, coins still packed in sealed US Mint issue First Day Covers are eligible for this designation. Private issue covers are not accepted.

Coins designated FIRST DAY OF ISSUE are encapsulated with regular format NGC labels.

FIRST YEAR OF ISSUE

NGC has developed a special label for use with US Mint first year of issue coins. A first year of issue is the coin from the first dated year of a new design type. For example, the Silver American Eagle was first issued in 1986; all American Silver Eagles dated 1986, in both Proof and Mint State, are eligible for encapsulation with this designation and special label which is green with the words FIRST YEAR OF ISSUE at bottom and in overprint at top. A complete list of eligible coins appears on our website. Additional certification fees apply, and no supplementary documentation or packing is required when submitting coins for this designation.

FIRST STRIKES (DISCONTINUED)

During 2006, NGC used the term "first strikes" for US bullion coinage shipped from the US Mint within the first month of their official release. This designation is no longer in use by NGC. First strikes designated coins are eligible for inclusion in the NGC Registry and are reported individually on the NGC Census.

FIRST STRIKE CEREMONY COINS

There are other types of coins of early release which can be designated by NGC. In some cases the words FIRST STRIKE have appeared on a regular NGC label. This designation indicates that the encapsulated coin was struck during a first strike ceremony at the US Mint and NGC has received appropriate substantiation of the fact. When the US Mint releases a new coinage design, a special event can be held during which notable figures related to that coinage will be invited to strike the first of these coins. This has been used on States Quarters and other circulating and commemorative issues.

NUMBERED FIRST STRUCK EDITIONS

On several occasions, NGC has received coinage with official mint documentation stating that a particular group of coins were among the first examples produced. These will be represented on their certification label indicating that the encapsulated coin belongs to this edition. The size of the edition is also included (e.g., ONE OF FIRST 1000 STRUCK; ONE OF FIRST 50,000 STRUCK). This designation can also be applied to foreign coins when satisfactory supporting documentation is available.