When is a coin worth grading?

When the expected graded value clears the all-in cost (fee + membership share + shipping) with margin. Rule of thumb: likely graded value ≥ 2–3× raw value plus costs, and no cleaning or damage risk.

What coins should not be graded?

Common-date circulated coins, cleaned or damaged coins (details-grade risk), and modern bullion worth close to melt — fees exceed the upside in all three cases.

Expected value · 2026 fee presets · free

Is it worth grading?

Answered with math instead of hope. Enter your comps, pick a service, be honest about the coin — get the expected profit of slabbing vs. selling raw.

Inputsedit me

Raw (ungraded) value $

High grade (e.g. MS66+) value $

Expected (e.g. MS65) value $

Lower / details value $

Condition (honest self-assessment)

Grading tier (Aug 2026)

Membership fees not included — spread them across your submission batch.

Fee per item $

Shipping both ways (per item) $

Selling fee %

≈10% at GreatCollections/eBay for coins. 0 if keeping.

Resultlive

$0EV of grading (net)

$0Sell raw (net)

Outcome breakdownper grade

Outcome	Odds	Sale	Net

Net = sale × (1 − selling fee) − grading fee − shipping. A cleaned or damaged coin can come back in a details holder — often worth less than raw.

How the math works

Grading is a bet: fixed cost in, uncertain grade out. The calculator weighs each outcome by honest odds, subtracts every cost, and compares against just selling the coin raw. Find comps by searching sold listings for your coin at each grade on eBay or GreatCollections.

FAQ

Where do I find graded comps?

Sold listings on eBay and GreatCollections archives — use the median of recent sales at each grade, not the best one.

Does the calculator include membership?

Not automatically — spread your membership across the batch and add it to the fee. Fee details on the cost page.