Coin Grading - Coin Certification Services

A number of North American companies offer third party coin certification services, which include:

Authentication, which determines whether a particular coin is genuine or counterfeit;
Classification as to whether the coin is a Proof, a Specimen, a Business Strike, etc;
Attribution, which correctly identifies the coin's varieties and sometimes its provenance; and
Grading
, which is a professional assessment of the coin's condition.

In North America, these days, most important coins are submitted by their owners for certification. This provides them with an independent authentication, classification, attribution and grading assessment recorded on a serial numbered certificate which is sealed with the coin in a tamper-evident plastic holder. This unit is referred to as a "slab" and an uncertified coin is called "raw". The certification services are widely used by collectors and investors who recognize their own grading skills may not be at an expert's level. Dealers also make much use of these services because their clients often demand that their coins be certified. Be aware, however, that between the various Coin Certification Services, there are identifiable areas of disagreement on grading standards, and the knowledgeable market takes these into consideration. The leading coin grading services that grade Canadian coins are with major once in bold.

Coin Certification

Coin Grading Companies

NEXT: Go to Grading Minstate Coins Page

Coin Certification News
07/02/2025
Don’t forget to check your pockets: the everyday coin that could fetch you thousands of dollars
You might not realise that you are the owner of one of these quarters, which could potentially be swapped for thousands of dollars. more info

06/25/2025
What Are Proof Coins? A Comprehensive Guide • 2025 - Benzinga
A coin with a grade of 70 is considered to be in perfect mint condition, while a grade of 1 indicates a coin that is barely recognizable. Proof coins are usually assigned a grade with the prefix ... more info

07/01/2025
Global Coin Unveils Exclusive Access to Modern Military Masterpieces ...
Global Coin, the nation’s premier purveyor of investment-grade coins, today announced the release of a landmark collection: the 250th Anniversary U.S. Army American Eagle Silver Proof Coins. This ... more info