Grading
PCGS vs NGC vs PMG: How Grading Services Affect Value
PCGS, NGC and PMG are the big names in coin and banknote grading. What each one grades, how they differ, and why the label changes the price.
Two coins, same date, same grade, different holders. One sells for noticeably more. If that’s ever confused you, this guide is for you.
The short version
PCGS (founded 1986): grades coins, and banknotes as PCGS Banknote. Known for strong prices in classic U.S. coins and a big registry and price database.
NGC (founded 1987): grades coins. Huge volume, strong in world and modern coins.
PMG (founded 2005): grades banknotes. The largest banknote grader and a sister company of NGC.
All three use the same 1 to 70 grading scale, all guarantee their grades, and all let anyone verify a cert number online.
PCGS
Professional Coin Grading Service helped start third-party grading in 1986. For many classic U.S. series, PCGS coins tend to sell at a premium, partly because of long-standing collector preference and the PCGS Set Registry. PCGS also publishes a widely used price guide and auction records. Its banknote division, PCGS Banknote, uses PPQ to mark original, unprocessed paper.
NGC
Numismatic Guaranty Company is the other half of the big two for coins and grades a very large share of the market. NGC is especially strong in world coins, ancients and modern issues. In some series the price gap with PCGS is small; in others it’s real. Always compare NGC coins to NGC sales.
PMG
Paper Money Guaranty grades banknotes only, U.S. and world. The EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality) designation means the note has original paper with no washing, pressing or repairs, and it carries a real premium. Watch the label for “Net” grades or comments like “Minor Tear” or “Pinholes,” which lower value.
Why the holder changes the price
Collector preference. Some buyers only collect one service, especially for registry sets.
Perceived consistency. Buyers pay for the grades they trust most in a given series.
Stickers. A CAC sticker on a PCGS or NGC holder signals the coin is solid for the grade and often adds a premium.
Liquidity. Big-name holders sell faster, especially online.
What this means when you price
Match the service. A PCGS MS65 is not a comp for an NGC MS65, and neither is a comp for a raw coin. The same goes for PMG vs PCGS Banknote, and EPQ vs non-EPQ. When you can’t find a same-service sale, use the other service as a rough guide and label your value as an estimate.
Track certs automatically
Kilito reads the slab label for you: service, grade, cert number and CAC sticker. For PCGS, NGC and PMG certs, it links straight to each grader's own cert page so you can verify them. Join the free beta.
