How Many Graders does NGC Employee?

[Higashiyama]

(This question seems to cause considerable confusion on a competitor's message board)

 

Do graders focus on specialized areas, or are all graders qualified to grade any coin?

[Guest]

Lots, and all are experts in various numismatic specialties. Every coin is graded at least three times by at least three different graders. A Finalizer determines the final grade and is also a tie breaker. The aim is quality control and to produce an industry standard grade for every coin.

 

[bohica-migration]

Stan, how about a step by step explanation of the grading process? From submission of the coin to slabbing, or (gulp!) bodybagging and return? Bob Kruczynski / bohica

[Guest]

When the coins arrive from delivery they are delivered to receiving where they are invoiced and placed in coin boxes labled with the invoice number. Part of the process includes "pre-grading" which identifies the coin type and variety (this is important as this information appears on the NGC holder). Coins are also pre-screened for defects that would reject the coin's eligibility for grading.

 

The boxes are delivered to the grading room, a room with controlled lighting, and the above information is confirmed by each grader who sees the coin. The coins are graded in the same order that the Receiving department invoiced them and each grader logs his opinion on his computer. Only after a coin has been graded multiple times does the Finalizer commit the final opinion.

 

The coins are then sent to the slabbing room where they the inserts are printed and the coin is slabbed and packed for shipping.

 

 

[WhiteTornado]

That was a pretty informative description, thanks!