Who are they and why are they the best?
Currency grading is the process of evaluating the quality and condition of coin or paper money. It is an important factor in determining the value and rarity of a coin or banknote. There are several companies that offer currency grading services, but some are more reputable and reliable than others.
One of the most reputable currency grading companies is PCGS Banknote, which is a division of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). PCGS Banknote claims to be the premier third-party certification service for paper currency and uses state-of-the-art technology and a team of world-renowned experts to examine, authenticate, and grade each note. PCGS Banknote also features Near-Field Communication (NFC) Anti-Counterfeiting Technology, which allows collectors and dealers to instantly verify every holder and the banknote within.
Another reputable currency grading company is PMG, which stands for Paper Money Guaranty. PMG is the world’s largest third-party paper money grading service, having certified nearly 8 million notes. PMG has a strict policy of not buying or selling notes commercially, to avoid any conflict of interest (that’s refreshing!). PMG also offers a comprehensive guarantee of authenticity and grade, which covers any errors in the grading process.
A third reputable currency grading company is NGC, which stands for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. NGC is the world’s largest third-party coin grading service, but also offers paper currency grading through its affiliate company, PMG. NGC has a reputation for accuracy, consistency, and impartiality in coin grading, and applies the same standards to paper currency grading. NGC also has a network of authorized dealers and submission centers around the world, making it convenient and accessible for collectors and dealers.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss the powerhouse newcomer on the block, CAC grading services. Certified Acceptance Corporation (CAC) is a third-party grading service that has been certifying third-party quality grading and authenticity since 2007, via it’s CAC stickering service. Just like the CAC sticker, CAC grading aims to bolster confidence in numismatics grading; after all, why merely sticker a previously certified coin when the same stringent standards can be applied within the context of a grading service. CAC Grading Service is composed of over 125 strategic partners who are professionals in numismatics as well as influential collectors. The company is assembling what John Albanese, the founder of CAC, calls the best team of graders possible. You can already find some of the newly CAC graded coins on main auction sites.
These are some of the most reputable currency grading companies, but there are also other options available, such as ANACS and Independent Coin Graders (ICG). However, these companies may not have the same level of recognition, expertise, or security as the ones mentioned above. Therefore, it is advisable to do some research and compare the services, fees, and guarantees of different currency grading companies before choosing one.