NGC Rare Coins
The Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is a third party coin grading and certification service that has been in operation since 1987. NGC is the official certifier of rare coins for the American Numismatic Association; it certifies the authenticity and grade of both American and world coins, currency and commemorative coins.
All US coins, European coins dated after 1300, and all world coins from 1601 are typically eligible for grading by NGC. The company attributes and grades ancient coins too up to around 500 AD, as well as coins of the Byzantine Empire from 491 AD to 1453 AD. NGC does not grade or authenticate coins too worn to read or coins that are possible forgeries.
NGC rare coins are a standard in the rare coin industry. Before NGC and PCGS, the other major certification service, it was all too common for an investor to buy a coin at one grade only to be told when he or she wished to sell that the coin was of a lower grade making the coin substantially less valuable. The independent coin certification service offered by NGC has solved the problem of varying coin grades. An investor in NGC rare coins can rest assured that when he or she is ready to sell, the coin’s grade and authenticity will be the same as on the day of purchase.
The rare coin market will often outperform even gold bullion over a period of years. The benefit of NGC rare coins is that they are standardized, and these investments have a predictable value and are much more liquid as an investment than a non-certified coin.
Shawn Penny
Senior Staff Writer - Rare-Coin.org
