There are many third party coin grading companies, I will try to give an overview of each of several of the most noted  ones here. I have been around coins most of my life and have seen many changes in the grading system. Not that grades themselves have changed, but more grades and adjectives have been added through the years to better describe the condition of a particular coins. No one is perfect and mistakes in grading do happen.

     Also do not always depend on the grades given the coins by the grading services. Learn to grade coins yourself, ask questions and find a dealer you can trust and learn from. Nothing can replace experience and knowledge.

    It is believed, but not proven, that some companies show favoritism to those who submit large quantities of coins as well as to those who are owners/dealers associated with the company.  Although not proven it should be a factor when buying or selling slabbed coins.

    This also brings to light the practice of "Cracking Out" a coin for resubmission. If a person finds a nice coin that is high end for the certified grade and the value between the current grade and the next higher grade is large enough, the coin gets broken out of its slab and resubmitted hoping for the higher grade. If the value is great enough, the coin may be cracked out and resubmitted several times until it gets the higher grade.

     Many of these sell for a fraction of market value  for the grade listed.. and are still over priced for what you get.
 

PCGS	Professional Coin Grading Service
	One of the top four grading companies and the one most accepted for “sight unseen” trading.  PCGS is part of Collectors Universe, who's primary owners/CEOs are among the nations largest coin dealers. Nice holders Grading is pretty accurate Does not grade problem coins Attributes errors and varieties Customer service is OK Authorized Dealers or Collectors Club Members www.collectorsuniverse.com   TOP of PAGE
ICG	Independent Coin Grading Company
	One of the top four grading companies. Owners/graders do not buy, sell or trade in coins. ICG  also has the intercept® insert ring, the only company with this product.  (order your  intercept shield products here) They tend to be tough on gold and easier on modern proofs. Nice holders Grading is accurate and consistent Does not grade problem coins Attributes errors and varieties Customer service is fast and friendly Authorized Dealers or Collectors Alliance Certifies and grades Ancient coins www.icgcoin.com   TOP of PAGE
NGC	Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America
	One of the top four grading companies, some of the owners are also major dealers. Nice holders Grading is not always consistent Does not grade problem coins Attributes errors and varieties Authorized Dealers  or through  The ANA www.ngccoin.com   TOP of PAGE
ANACS
	One of the top four grading companies, Once owned by The ANA and one of the first third party services to authentic and grade coins Holders are OK, but could be improved Not as consistent with grading Grades/slabs problem coins (net graded) Attributes errors and varieties Authorized Dealers or Direct submissions  www.anacs.com   TOP of PAGE
SEGS	Sovereign Entities Grading Service Inc.
	Holders are among the best in the industry Grading  tends to be a little on the high side Attributes errors and varieties Authorized Dealers or Direct submissions       www.segsgrading.com   TOP of PAGE
PCI
	Holders are OK, but could be improved Not consistent with grading Grades/slabs problem coins (red labels) Attributes errors and varieties Direct submissions   www.chattanooga.net/pci/   TOP of PAGE
ICCS	International Coin Certification Service
	A Canadian based grading company. 2010 Yonge Street  Ste 202 Toronto, Ontorio Canada M4S 1Z9 Phone 416-488-8620 Fax     416-488-6371   TOP of PAGE
HALLMARK
	No longer in business, but always a pleasure to find one of their products.                         TOP of PAGE
NTC	Numistrust
	This is a new grading service from what I have seen they are not very consistent and tend to overgrade.
	www.numistrust.com TOP of PAGE

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