Certified Silver Coins

Certified Silver Coins at Silver.com

A Certified Silver Coin is one that has been graded and encapsulated by a coin-grading professional. There are many places you can send your coin to get certified, two of the most common you’ll see when browsing Silver.com are the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). Learn more about the certification process, terminology, and popular certified coins, right here at Silver.com.

Grading Terminology

Coins are graded using the Sheldon Scale. This scale was developed by Dr. William Sheldon in 1948. The scale grades coins from 1 to 70, with a grade 70 coin being in theory 70 times more valuable than a grade 1 coin.

Both the NGC and the PCGS grade coins with this scale. However, the numerical grade is prefaced by a code, further signifying the condition or strike the coin is.

• MS – Mint State: Coins graded between 60-70, struck in the same format as circulation coinage.
• AU – About Uncirculated: Coins graded between 50-58.
• XF – Extremely Fine: Coins graded between 40-45.
• VF – Very Fine: Coins graded between 20-35.
• SP – Specimen: Identifies that the coin is a hybrid strike, between an MS and a PR/PF coin.
• PF/PR – Proof: Identifies a proof strike.

Coins can also receive other labels to help further identify them.

• DCAM/ UCAM – Deep Cameo/ Ultra-Cameo: Exclusively for proof strikes. Identifies the frosted finish and design elements along with a mirrored background.
• FS/ ER – First Strike/ Early Release: This term is given to coins that were received for grading within 30 days of the coin being issued.
• FDOI – First Day of Issue: This term is given to coins that were received for grading within 24 hours of being issued.

Certification Process

The process of certifying your silver coin is rather simple, and both the NGC and PCGS have similar processes. Coins are sent to the coin-grading service, where they are meticulously examined under 5x magnification by at least two numismatists. Coins are then graded, and encapsulated in a protective plastic slab, before being sent back to the owner.

Popular Certified Silver Coins

• Certified Silver American Eagles: The most popular silver bullion coin on the market is the Silver American Eagle. Thus, they’re a popular certified option as well. These coins have been issued annually since 1986 in just a 1 oz weight.
• Certified Silver ATB Coins: The America the Beautiful Series is one of the most ambitious coin programs created by the US Mint. This 56-coin collection features a famous park, forest, or landmark from each of the 50 states, and territories of the United States.
• Certified Silver Canadian Maple Leafs: The Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Series is among the world’s most popular. Struck annually since 1988 these coins were the first in the world to feature a purity of .9999 fine silver.
• Certified Silver Chinese Pandas: Struck by the Chinese Mint, this series is complex due to its change from Troy oz to grams, plus its annual changing of its reverse design. Thus, these coins are a popular certification item.

Buying Certified Silver Coins at Silver.com

Questions about these Certified Silver Coins? Contact the Silver.com customer service team today. We can be reached via email, through our online chat feature, or by giving us a call at 1-888-989-7223