Updated August 2026
Coin Grading Costs
The fee is only the visible part. Membership, shipping both ways and the details-grade risk decide whether slabbing your coin makes money or burns it.
Fees checked August 2026 — verify on official sites before submitting
2026 fees at a glance
| Service · tier | Fee / coin | Membership | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANACS Economy | ~$14–16 | None | Cheapest legit lane; strong on varieties |
| ICG Economy | ~$18 | None | Budget alternative |
| NGC Economy | ~$23 | $25/yr | Value caps apply; world/modern strength |
| PCGS Economy | ~$25 | $99/yr | Top US-classic resale premium |
| Faster / higher-value tiers | $50–300+ | — | Scale with declared value at every service |
The hidden costs
- Membership math: PCGS's $99 across a 5-coin submission adds ~$20/coin — across 30 coins, ~$3. Batch or don't bother.
- Two-way insured shipping: $25–60 per submission depending on value.
- The details-grade trap: a cleaned or damaged coin comes back in a "Details" holder that often sells below raw. If you suspect cleaning, don't submit.
How to get coins graded for free (the honest answer)
You can't — no major service grades free. What actually works: dealer/show submissions (they hold the memberships), GreatCollections' grade-and-auction program (discounted grading when you consign the coin to auction), and club batch submissions that spread membership and shipping. Anyone offering truly "free grading" is selling a second-tier slab — see which slabs to avoid.
Before any fee: run your coin through the worth-grading calculator — most common-date circulated coins fail the math, and knowing that costs nothing.
FAQ
How much to grade a Morgan dollar?
Economy tiers ($14–25) cover most Morgans; high-value dates need higher tiers priced by declared value. The bigger question is the grade odds — a cleaned Morgan in a details holder loses money.
Is coin grading worth it for common coins?
Usually not. A $30 coin with $25 of fees needs to more than double in graded value just to break even.
PCGS or NGC for resale?
PCGS edges US classics, NGC world and modern — details in the company comparison.