As coin collecting has grown over the years, so has the need for a universal and trusted source of grading and evaluation. To prevent fraud and create more consistent valuations for coin sales and auctions across the globe, one particular group has become one of the most prominent third-party grading services. Discover more about the NGC, the new NGCX grading scale, and how this scale impacts collectors below.
What Is the NGC?
NGC, or the Numismatic Guaranty Company, was established in 1987 to develop clear and consistent coin grading guidelines. Since then, it has grown into the largest third-party grading company worldwide. Not only is it the largest company, but coins evaluated by one of their consultants using an NGC grading scale come with an official seal and the NGC guarantee that protects collectors of all levels.
NGC employs more than 30 professional coin graders to evaluate coins and tokens. Strict rules, such as commercial coin selling restrictions, are in place for each grader to ensure fair and impartial use of the Sheldon or NGCX grading scale. You can view the full team of consultants here.
What Is the New NGC Grading Scale?
Since the 1940s, there has been only one grading system: the Sheldon 70-point scale. Developed by Dr. William Sheldon, this scale quickly became the universal measurement. However, in a surprising but well-received evolution, NGC released a new, simplified system called the NGCX grading scale to a select group of retailers in January of 2023.
Perhaps the biggest and most noticeable difference between the classic Sheldon scale and the new NGC grading scale is the total point value. The NGCX only ranges from 1 to 10. This pared-down scale is intended to align with other common collectibles like cards and comics. The goal was to make a more approachable system that is welcoming for newcomers and beginners.
Highlights from the scale include:
- 10 – A pristine coin with no imperfections at 5x magnification (Sheldon equivalent of 70)
- 9.5 – A coin with minimal marks or hairline imperfections (Sheldon equivalent of 65)
- 9 – A coin with average strike but marks or abrasions (Sheldon equivalent of 60)
- 7 – A coin with all necessary details but wear on various points (Sheldon equivalent of 40)
- 1 – A coin able to be identified by date and type but no more details (Sheldon equivalent of 1)
How Does the NGCX Grading Scale Impact the Sheldon Scale?
There were many questions when the new NGCX grading scale was first announced. Of course, that is to be expected for the first major change in over 50 years. However, directly stated from the NGC itself, this scale is intended to supplement and support the Sheldon scale. The newest addition is in no way intended to replace or overtake the Sheldon scale.
Additionally, the new grading scale is only intended for coins minted from 1982 onward. All historic and high rarity coins will still be evaluated based on the Sheldon scale. This means the new system is perfect to use on modern coins and commemorative U.S. sets like the Legendary Warriors Collection or America The Beautiful Coins. Coins that have already been certified using the NGCX, like this 2025 American Silver Eagle, will have a label that can be seen before purchasing.
Finding Rated Coins
When building a coin collection, collectors should shop from sources they can trust. Pinehurst Coins provides a wide variety of silver and gold coins from various countries, rarity levels, and years. Pinehurst Coins features gold and silver American Eagles as well as Buffalos and even error coins. Discover your next great coin for your collection today.