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| Realm of the Coin |
Golden Security Blanket
06/01/2004
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The advent of third-party certification, which offers collectors added security, has boosted curiosity in coin buying. Since 1986 independent companies such as Professional Coin Grading Service and Numismatic Guaranty have been grading rare coins and guaranteeing their authenticity.
 Grading is an assessment of a coin’s physical condition measured on a scale of 1 to 70; the higher the grade, the finer the detail, luster and overall appearance. The most desirable, and often most valuable, pre-1933 gold coins are those in uncirculated or mint-state (MS) condition, which carry grades from 60 to 70 and are designated, for example, as “uncirculated MS-60,” “choice uncirculated MS-64,” “gem uncirculated MS-66,” and “perfect uncirculated MS-70.” (Circulated coins are assigned lower grades.)
Uncirculated coins have often remained in private collections or in bank-vault bags from the time of minting. Coin experts advise buying only rare coins that have been certified and sealed in a tamper-proof plastic holder called a slab.
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