NGC

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation

Founded in 1987 as an answer to the dominant market share of PCGS, the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) is one of the two leading third party coin grading services. NGC emphasizes a standard of consistent and accurate grading. The NGC website features an on-line coin census report, press releases, listing of events, and a gallery of the most valuable NGC-certified coins. Website: www.ngccoin.com

NGC offers coverage is as complete as PCGS. Their main caveat is with respect to copper coinage. Perhaps PCGS has a similar exception, but has not noted it in the literature available to me at this time.

Here is their story:

"NGC guarantees that all coins submitted to it shall be graded by a minimum of three (3) NGC grading experts in accordance with the NGC grading standards and procedures. In the event the purchaser of an NGC coin believes that the coin has been over-graded with respect to such standards and procedures, the purchaser may submit any such coin to NGC regrading under a procedure which assures that graders are unaware of the grade originally assigned. The fee for such grading shall be $20. If the grade determined under such regrade procedure is lower than that originally assigned to the coin, NGC shall pay the difference between fair market value of the coin, as determined by arms-length current bids of NGC dealers, at the newly established grade and the grade originally assigned to such coin.

WARNING: EXCEPTION TO NGC GUARANTEE. COPPER COINS CAN OXIDIZE AFTER SEALING. IN SUCH AN EVENT, THE COIN GRADE MAY DIMINISH. THEREFORE, THE NGC GUARANTEE SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE TO COPPER COINS."