What is a Certified Coin?
At a Glance:
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- A certified coin is a coin that has been authenticated and graded by a grading company.
- Certified coins typically sell for more than melt value because of the added assurance they provide.
- When you buy certified coins, make sure that a reputable grading company did the certification.
- This page is your resource for understanding what a certified coin is – and how to buy one.
What is a Certified Coin?
If you’ve ever been to a local coin shop, you may have seen that some coins are stored in small rectangular cases. These cases are often called ‘coin slabs,’ and the coins they contain are referred to as certified coins. While a gold or silver coin is always worth at least its melt value, certified coins are often some of the most valuable products at your local coin store.
So what is a certified coin? A certified coin is a coin that has been authenticated, graded, and labeled by a reputable coin grading authority. When grading companies certify coins, they place them in rectangular cases called slabs, which are designed to be impossible to open without breaking. Since certified coins come with the backing of major grading companies that coin collectors respect, buying a certified coin means paying for the security and assurance of one or more industry professionals.
Certified coins tend to be more popular among coin collectors than stackers, because a certified coin will almost always sell at a higher premium over melt value than an uncertified, or raw, coin. But for coin collectors who want to buy the highest-grade coins without having to worry about forgeries or incorrect grade estimates, buying certified coins is a great option.
On this page, we’re covering everything you need to know about buying, selling, and evaluating certified coins.
The Coin Certification Process
Coins don’t typically come from the mint certified. To create a certified coin, companies or individuals send ungraded coins to a reputable grading company, such as Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). These companies employ professional numismatists known as coin graders, who evaluate the coin and assign it a numerical grade using the Sheldon grading scale. Then, the coin grader will carefully place the coin in a slab, which is a small rectangular case that showcases the coin’s grade and other relevant details.
This process is not free. Both PCGS and NGC charge a fee to grade and certify coins. While this does mean that buyers pay an extra premium when they purchase a slabbed and certified coin, it is important to remember that the coin certification process is meant to provide buyers and sellers with a guarantee of a coin’s authenticity and condition.
Which Coins Get Certified?
Technically, any coin can be shipped off and certified by a major coin grading company. In practice, most collectors and dealers only send a coin in for grading if that coin is especially rare, features an uncommon error/variety, or is exceptionally valuable. This makes a lot of sense, given that the cost of certifying a gold or silver coin wouldn’t be worth it for a coin that retails at less than the price of the grading service.
If you’re thinking of paying to have your gold, silver, or rare coins certified, consider whether the potential value of your graded coin will justify the cost of grading. Typically, we recommend sending a coin in for grading if it is very rare or appears to be in exceptional condition given its age. Learning to grade coins at home can help you estimate the approximate range of grades your coin is likely to receive. This can be very helpful if you’re considering sending a coin in great condition off to a grading service.
On the flip side, some collectors grade coins simply because they like them. That’s perfectly fine! If you have a modern bullion coin in great condition, getting it certified can be a great way to preserve your coin for decades to come.
Should You Remove Certified Coins From Their Slabs?
In the vast majority of cases, it is not a good idea to remove your graded coin from its original, unaltered slab. Once you remove a coin from its certified slab, it is considered uncertified – even if the coin was originally certified by a reputable mint. This means that any premium you’d typically receive for a certified coin is no longer available to you. While un-slabbing a coin doesn’t destroy its value completely, you’ll lose quite a bit of resale value once you remove it from its slab.
Keeping coins in their original graded slabs is especially important because the grading process can be subjective. A coin may grade MS69 once and then lower the next time you send it in for grading. While this happens more commonly with old, rare coins with significant toning, even new coins may receive a lower grade if you choose to resubmit them for grading. Think of a certified coin as a seal of approval from a reputable expert. If you remove the seal, then only your word is able to assure your buyer that the coin is the grade you say it is.
That being said, there is one notable scenario where it makes sense to remove a coin from its certified slab. If your coin was originally graded by a company with a poor reputation, it may make sense to carefully remove the coin and send it off for grading at a more respected grading company. Some smaller grade companies are known for making bad grade judgments or poorly securing coins in their slabs. If you suspect your coin has been graded by an unqualified company or individual, reach out to an expert to properly certify it.
Certified Versus Uncertified Coins – What’s More Valuable?
Certifying a coin almost always increases its market value, as long as the certifying company is reputable enough for their certification to carry weight among coin collectors and investors. That being said, seeing a coin in a slab doesn’t automatically mean that it’s worth its price tag. Some unscrupulous dealers will send bulk orders of common silver coins to be graded before selling these coins, which are worth only a bit more than face value, at a large premium.
But in most cases and among reputable dealers, coin certification is a process that adds both value and assurance to the buying process. Coin certification is most commonly done with rare coins, such as old U.S. coins, but modern bullion coins can also be certified. We commonly see coins like the American Gold Eagle, American Silver Eagle, and the American Gold Buffalo certified by grading companies. Certified 2025 US Mint Gold and Silver is a popular investment this year, since these coins are so fresh.
First Strike, First Issue | Understanding Specialty Coin Certifications
You may come across some certified coins labeled “first strike” or “first issue.” This is most common with modern coins, and it’s rare to find older U.S. coins labeled as a first strike or first issue. Some collectors love to buy certified coins with the first strike label, while others prefer standard certified or uncertified bullion coins.
What is a first strike coin? “First strike” is a designation that some major coin graders give to coins that were minted during the beginning stages of a mintage run. Like other certified coins, first strike and first issue coins are authenticated and graded by a respected grading company. These specialty certifications typically carry an additional premium and add more rarity to your coin, since only a limited number of coins are given these designations by NGC or PCGS.
Grading companies also apply unique specialty designations to a limited number of coins. The “Flag Label” First Strike MS70 PCGS-Certified 2025 American Silver Eagle is an example of a specialty designation that generally trades for a large premium compared to uncertified or standard certification coins.
Some investors don’t care about the first strike or first issue certification designations. Really, it’s all just a matter of personal preference. If you like the appeal of limited edition coins with specialty labels and designations, then these coins may be right for you. While you may pay a premium up-front for these specialty label certified coins, you can also expect to receive a premium for them when you sell.
How to Get Coins Certified
If you’re interested in getting your rare or bullion coins professionally certified, the good news is that the process is remarkably uncomplicated. To get a coin certified, you’ll need to pick a grading company, mail your coins and pay the relevant fees, and then wait for your coin to be graded, slabbed, and shipped back to you.
The two most popular coin grading companies are Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC). There are other reputable grading companies out there, but be sure to do your research to make sure that the coin certification route you choose is likely to pass the inspection of the coin collectors who are likely to buy your coin in the future.
Final Thoughts: Are Certified Coins a Good Investment?
What’s the verdict? Are certified coins worth buying? Certified coins can be a great investment because of the assurance, peace of mind, and coin preservation they provide to coin collectors. When you eventually sell your rare coins, you’ll have an easier time finding a buyer if you’ve taken the time to get an expert’s authentication and grade for your numismatic investment.
However, certified coins aren’t for everyone. Some investors are stackers, which means that their goal is to get as much metal as they can for their money. If this describes you, then the high premiums associated with certified coins may be a deal-breaker. And there’s nothing to wrong with that!
At the end of the day, what you collect – and how you collect it – is entirely up to you. Isn’t that what coin collecting is all about?
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About The Author
Michael Roets
Michael Roets is a writer and journalist for Hero Bullion. His work explores precious metals news, guides, and commentary.