Pedigree FAQs

If you would like a pedigree added to the NGC certification label, you should select the Pedigree service and note the request in bold letters on the NGC submission form. Be sure to indicate whether the request applies to all coins on the form or only specific coins. You should also provide any evidence that may be helpful to NGC in confirming the pedigree.

There is no additional fee to attribute a coin to a collection, including your own. Coins already encapsulated by NGC may be submitted under an applicable NGC ReHolder service with the Pedigree service selected.

Recognition and attribution of pedigrees is at NGC's sole discretion. NGC will not recognize a pedigree that it believes could be confused with another pedigree. Grading and services fees are not refundable if NGC chooses to decline recognition or attribution of a requested pedigree.

Coins pedigreed to a famous collection may sell for a premium or be more desirable, but this varies based on the coin, collection and market conditions. Many pedigrees do not add any premium to a coin's value. It is important to fully understand the meaning of a particular pedigree and research coin values before any purchase.

Coins pedigreed to certain significant shipwrecks, hoards and Mint sets are listed separately in the NGC Census, but most other pedigrees are not listed separately and are instead counted in the coin's regular NGC Census listing.

There is no universally accepted line that separates a "collection" from a "hoard." NGC considers a collection to be a group of coins that were assembled by a collector in a selective manner. A hoard, on the other hand, is a very large accumulation or find of coins, often with many examples of the exact same type.

The "Redfield Hoard," for example, is the name given to the accumulation of approximately 400,000 silver dollars by LaVere Redfield. Similarly, the "GSA Hoard" refers to the millions of silver dollars that had been held in the US Treasury's vaults until they were sold by the General Services Administration (GSA) between 1973 and 1980.

To learn more about NGC's certification services for Redfield Hoard and GSA Hoard coins, click here.

NGC will sometimes pedigree coins to a trade show to commemorate the event. This pedigree does not necessarily mean that the coins were purchased at the trade show. For example, the notation may be used for samples that will be given away at the show or for coins that will be sold by a dealer at the show. This notation is generally used only for select bulk submissions or for samples prepared by NGC.

These trade show pedigrees should not be confused with NGC's Show Releases designations, which contain the word "Releases." To learn more about the NGC Show Releases designation, click here.

In most cases, pedigrees are used to identify the past or present owner of a coin or to commemorate an event. On occasion, NGC will use pedigrees to provide other identifying information. For example, a coin that is the first example known of a newly discovered variety may be labeled "Discovery Coin" on the NGC certification label.

NGC will sometimes pedigree coins to a specific mint-issued set as long as there is no doubt that the coins were issued as part of that set.

An example would be 2011 American Silver Eagles with the 25TH ANNIVERSARY SET pedigree, which were issued as part of the US Mint's five-coin 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. Some of these coins were also issued separately from the 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set. NGC will therefore assign the 25TH ANNIVERSARY SET pedigree only to coins that arrive in the original 25th Anniversary Silver Eagle Set packaging sealed inside of the intact, original US Mint shipping box.

In some cases, coins may need to arrive in the original mint packaging only and not sealed inside of the intact, original US Mint shipping box to be pedigreed to a specific set. This is generally allowed for packaging that is tamper-evident. In addition, coins that were issued only as part of the set may not need to be submitted with any original mint packaging.

Important: The recognition of a set pedigree is at NGC's sole discretion, and not all sets may be attributed on the NGC label. It is therefore recommended that submitters contact NGC Customer Service prior to requesting a coin be pedigreed to a set to confirm eligibility and submission requirements unless an article with these instructions has already been posted to the NGC website.

NGC will attribute most sets issued by the US Mint as well as sets issued by select other mints. The recognition of a set pedigree is at NGC's sole discretion, and not all sets may be attributed on the NGC label. Please check NGC's list of eligible sets and follow all instructions when submitting.

In many cases, a coin is issued both in a set and separately. Therefore, to ensure the accuracy of its attributions NGC may require that a set be received in the original mint packaging or in the sealed mint shipping box to ensure the accuracy of its attributions.

Certain sets will be attributed only if received through NGC's bulk submission program. Check the list of eligible sets for detailed requirements.

NGC will list certain set pedigrees separately in the NGC Census, while others will be grouped together with the non-set population. For more details, view the list of eligible sets and requirements or visit the NGC Census.

NGC will use its best efforts to ensure the accuracy of its pedigree attributions; however, pedigree attributions are not guaranteed under the NGC Guarantee.