Questions Regarding Grading

Coin grading is pricey, however you look at it. So, there's a cost-benefit analysis that has to happen each time you decide whether or not to get a coin graded - will the final value warrant the grading? Is the coin of a type which the potential buyer would want to see authenticated by a reputable company?

ANACS accepts direct submissions from the public. NGC is cheaper/more cost-effective to join (the free grades for a first-time member, and the free graded coin they give you, balance out the cost of joining). They also allow ANA members to submit, if you were thinking of joining the ANA.

PCGS coins generally carry the highest resale value, but PCGS is the most expensive to join. You can submit to them through a dealer, or find someone at your friendly neighborhood forum who's already a member, to piggyback a submission.

For one thing you may want to try and find out if there are any other coin collectors in your area. That is difficult at times but you may want to try for a coin club by doing a search of coin clubs in Google or yahoo in your area. In a coin club there may be others that would share in grading costs by the entire club joining. Also, try for any coin shows in the general area by doing the same or going to a web site like Coin World and checking out coin shows. At a coin show you may find a dealer that lives not far from you and they may be able to help you get a decent price on a coin graded and slabbed. Then depending on your neighbors you may want to convert some into coin collectors and start your own coin club and then the entire coub could join something like PCGS.