Grading is how a collectible is authenticated and its condition judged by an independent expert. It turns a personal opinion about quality into a standard that buyers and sellers everywhere can trust.

Who does the grading

Grading is done by independent third party services, not by the seller. The major names you will see on our pieces are NGC and PCGS for coins, PMG for paper money, and CGC for collectibles. Each one examines a piece, confirms it is genuine, assigns a grade, and seals it in a tamper evident holder, often called a slab, with a unique certificate number.

The 70 point scale

Modern coins and collectibles are graded on a 70 point scale, where 70 is a flawless example and the number falls as imperfections appear. Move the slider to see what each grade means.

MS, PF, and PL

The letters before the number tell you how the piece was made. MS means Mint State, a standard production strike. PF or PR means Proof, a specially struck piece with mirror surfaces. PL means Proof Like, a mint state piece with proof like reflectivity. So an NGC MS70 and an NGC PF70 are both perfect, but they describe different kinds of pieces.

Does a higher grade matter

For many collectors, yes. A higher grade means better preservation, and when only a few examples reach the top grade, that scarcity adds appeal. For others, a slightly lower grade is perfectly satisfying, especially when the piece is meaningful to them. The right grade is the one that fits how you collect.

Ask FORYM AI about grades