NGC: The Ultimate Coin Grading Service for Physical Bitcoins - 10 out of 10

[Kazkaz27]

Having personally used all three grading services—NGC, PCGS, and ICG—I can confidently say that NGC is the ultimate grading service for physical cryptocurrency collectibles. NGC is widely regarded as a prestigious coin grading service on par with PCGS, celebrated for its high standards and industry expertise. What truly sets NGC apart is its competitive pricing and faster turnaround times, making it an appealing choice for collectors and investors alike. Furthermore, NGC is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer care, going the extra mile to ensure clients receive the support and guidance they need throughout the grading process. This unique blend of prestige, affordability, efficiency, and outstanding service distinguishes NGC in the coin grading landscape.

On the other hand, ICG holds the title of the original grading service for physical crypto collectibles, boasting exceptionally low fees. However, its reputation falls short of the prestige associated with other services, and its categorization system may not be the most robust. While their pricing is attractive, their turnaround times are decent but not particularly remarkable.

PCGS offers a categorization system that gives it a slight edge over NGC; however, this advantage comes with drawbacks, including subpar customer care, longer turnaround times, and higher fees.

For these reasons, I highly recommend NGC over other coin grading services, thanks to its esteemed reputation, competitive pricing, exceptional customer service, and quick turnaround times.

[MrDipBuyer]

Great review! PCGS has been quite good to me with only $15/item to grade. I plan for longer turnaround times on all services and orders so I don't mind waiting for what I regard to be the highest quality grading service. Maybe not the fastest but PCGS slabbed items turn heads. Not to say that NGC doesn't, just a matter of style and preferences.

[Kazkaz27]

Great review! PCGS has been quite good to me with only $15/item to grade. I plan for longer turnaround times on all services and orders so I don't mind waiting for what I regard to be the highest quality grading service. Maybe not the fastest but PCGS slabbed items turn heads. Not to say that NGC doesn't, just a matter of style and preferences.

Thanks!

I love PCGS personally for the same reasons listed. Although, the cost to grade physical cryptocurrency through PCGS has significantly increased, and the once-available option of $15 per item is no longer offered. At least not to my knowledge.

[minerjones]

On the other hand, ICG holds the title of the original grading service for physical crypto collectibles, boasting exceptionally low fees. However, its reputation falls short of the prestige associated with other services, and its categorization system may not be the most robust. While their pricing is attractive, their turnaround times are decent but not particularly remarkable.

ANACS was actually grading our coins a few years before ICG got into it... but they stopped in late 2018/early 2019

I love PCGS personally for the same reasons listed. Although, the cost to grade physical cryptocurrency through PCGS has significantly increased, and the once-available option of $15 per item is no longer offered. At least not to my knowledge.

From what I have been told, all crypto/bitcoin related items have to go Express tier now... seemingly a cash grab by PCGS who just slabs most things as "Genuine" and no grade.
The cheapest cost for 1x item to get graded is $70 and with fees/shipping, it comes to $117
The per item cost can be lowered with multiple items splitting the fees/shipping costs

[MoparMiningLLC]

I personally never liked NGC I do love the ANACS except when they put the coins in backwards.

I do like PCGS slabs and ICG slabs the best - wish PCGS did better authentication and wish IGC did larger coins as well

[Kazkaz27]

I personally never liked NGC I do love the ANACS except when they put the coins in backwards.

I do like PCGS slabs and ICG slabs the best - wish PCGS did better authentication and wish IGC did larger coins as well

I wasn't aware that ANACS was the OG Grading Company for physical bitcoins until MJ Stated. - Its too bad they no longer serve our community. I liked their slabs as well but never submitted anything with them personally.

What I love most about NGC is their customer service.

I do really love PCGS slabs. I just can't justify their customer service.

I like ICG slabs as well but people tend to give the prestige either to NGC or PCGS.

[MoparMiningLLC]

for me NGC slabs look cheap - like amazon bought.

[anonymousminer]

The only one of these companies to authenticate is ICG... and they actually care about crypto coins.  The others are a cash grab at best.  F**K the "prestige" I'll go with the company that is paying a consultant to insure real coins are getting slabbed.

[Kazkaz27]

I agree with both of you for the most part. - Although, I think the only one that could be accused of “cash grabbing” is PCGS.

I think NGC could work on two things. - The quality of their slabs and their categorization.

PCGS needs to work on a few things. - Their authentication process, Customer Service, turnaround time, and pricing. (They don't test the metal of their coins - Often mislabel them)

ICG only has a couple things as well. - Their categorization, grading consistency, and prestige. I believe grading consistency, and prestige go hand-in-hand.

Overall, I believe PCGS has the most to work on - Their slabs do turn heads, can't deny them that. When it comes to looks they do it best. - If I want my coin to look good it comes with a handful of sacrifices.

[tread93]

On the other hand, ICG holds the title of the original grading service for physical crypto collectibles, boasting exceptionally low fees. However, its reputation falls short of the prestige associated with other services, and its categorization system may not be the most robust. While their pricing is attractive, their turnaround times are decent but not particularly remarkable.

ANACS was actually grading our coins a few years before ICG got into it... but they stopped in late 2018/early 2019

I love PCGS personally for the same reasons listed. Although, the cost to grade physical cryptocurrency through PCGS has significantly increased, and the once-available option of $15 per item is no longer offered. At least not to my knowledge.

From what I have been told, all crypto/bitcoin related items have to go Express tier now... seemingly a cash grab by PCGS who just slabs most things as "Genuine" and no grade.
The cheapest cost for 1x item to get graded is $70 and with fees/shipping, it comes to $117
The per item cost can be lowered with multiple items splitting the fees/shipping costs

Yes this is wild. I remember when I got those notes graded and they were $70 a pop just to grade it thought thst was pretty steep. 100% a cash grab lol but hey you can't blame them. I wonder what NGC charges. I wasn't aware they started grading crypto collectibles outside of Otoh's collection. I have so many things I want to get graded still!

[Kazkaz27]

On the other hand, ICG holds the title of the original grading service for physical crypto collectibles, boasting exceptionally low fees. However, its reputation falls short of the prestige associated with other services, and its categorization system may not be the most robust. While their pricing is attractive, their turnaround times are decent but not particularly remarkable.

ANACS was actually grading our coins a few years before ICG got into it... but they stopped in late 2018/early 2019

I love PCGS personally for the same reasons listed. Although, the cost to grade physical cryptocurrency through PCGS has significantly increased, and the once-available option of $15 per item is no longer offered. At least not to my knowledge.

From what I have been told, all crypto/bitcoin related items have to go Express tier now... seemingly a cash grab by PCGS who just slabs most things as "Genuine" and no grade.
The cheapest cost for 1x item to get graded is $70 and with fees/shipping, it comes to $117
The per item cost can be lowered with multiple items splitting the fees/shipping costs

Yes this is wild. I remember when I got those notes graded and they were $70 a pop just to grade it thought thst was pretty steep. 100% a cash grab lol but hey you can't blame them. I wonder what NGC charges. I wasn't aware they started grading crypto collectibles outside of Otoh's collection. I have so many things I want to get graded still!

I went through escrow - Got (9) coins graded by NGC. I paid $275 in total. Worked out to be $30.55 per Coin - Well worth it.

[Steeley]

PCGS charges $70 + shipping. Holy crap.

I usually join their Platinum Club each year I want to get coins graded. It is $249. You receive a bunch of things, including 8 submissions. This brings the price down to about $32 a coin.

[minerjones]

PCGS charges $70 + shipping. Holy crap.

I usually join their Platinum Club each year I want to get coins graded. It is $249. You receive a bunch of things, including 8 submissions. This brings the price down to about $32 a coin.

Yeah, the vouchers give $40 off per coin, which is the cost of their Regular Tier service... a nice bonus I guess

And yes, $70 grade fee (mandatory for crypto/bitcoin related items), $10 handling fee, $10 ship to fee and $27 return shipping fee (more if you have more coins/over certain value)

[2stout]

PCGS charges $70 + shipping. Holy crap.

I usually join their Platinum Club each year I want to get coins graded. It is $249. You receive a bunch of things, including 8 submissions. This brings the price down to about $32 a coin.

Yeah, the vouchers give $40 off per coin, which is the cost of their Regular Tier service... a nice bonus I guess

And yes, $70 grade fee (mandatory for crypto/bitcoin related items), $10 handling fee, $10 ship to fee and $27 return shipping fee (more if you have more coins/over certain value)

Don't know if I was told correctly, but I was told by PCGS I couldn't use the vouchers to subtract from the $70 because Express was in a higher tier than Regular.  From 14 Feb 2025:

"Thank you for contacting PCGS Customer Care.
 
Our Gold and Platinum Membership Vouchers are only valid for the Regular service for coins valued $2,500 or less. This would not qualify for Special Issues or Express service."

Did something change between then and now?

[minerjones]

PCGS charges $70 + shipping. Holy crap.

I usually join their Platinum Club each year I want to get coins graded. It is $249. You receive a bunch of things, including 8 submissions. This brings the price down to about $32 a coin.

Yeah, the vouchers give $40 off per coin, which is the cost of their Regular Tier service... a nice bonus I guess

And yes, $70 grade fee (mandatory for crypto/bitcoin related items), $10 handling fee, $10 ship to fee and $27 return shipping fee (more if you have more coins/over certain value)

Don't know if I was told correctly, but I was told by PCGS I couldn't use the vouchers to subtract from the $70 because Express was in a higher tier than Regular.  From 14 Feb 2025:

"Thank you for contacting PCGS Customer Care.
 
Our Gold and Platinum Membership Vouchers are only valid for the Regular service for coins valued $2,500 or less. This would not qualify for Special Issues or Express service."

Did something change between then and now?

Maybe... from what I get, PCGS customer service is all over the place.. zero consistency.
I sent in a Kialara for another collector and they slabbed it backwards...   collector contacted PCGS and they replied that the original submitter requested this.
LIES!! lol.. why would I do that?  again... showing that it's all a money grab for them.
Zero consistency.

And for the vouchers, I could swear that they allowed you to use them using the online submission form.. but I am probably wrong, as I still see 2x unclaimed vouchers in my account.

[Kazkaz27]

I think it’ll be interesting to see how NGC, PCGS, and ICG respond to customer feedback regarding their categorization systems and authentication processes as the grading landscape evolves.

[Steeley]

PCGS charges $70 + shipping. Holy crap.

I usually join their Platinum Club each year I want to get coins graded. It is $249. You receive a bunch of things, including 8 submissions. This brings the price down to about $32 a coin.

Yeah, the vouchers give $40 off per coin, which is the cost of their Regular Tier service... a nice bonus I guess

And yes, $70 grade fee (mandatory for crypto/bitcoin related items), $10 handling fee, $10 ship to fee and $27 return shipping fee (more if you have more coins/over certain value)

Don't know if I was told correctly, but I was told by PCGS I couldn't use the vouchers to subtract from the $70 because Express was in a higher tier than Regular.  From 14 Feb 2025:

"Thank you for contacting PCGS Customer Care.
 
Our Gold and Platinum Membership Vouchers are only valid for the Regular service for coins valued $2,500 or less. This would not qualify for Special Issues or Express service."

Did something change between then and now?

Maybe... from what I get, PCGS customer service is all over the place.. zero consistency.
I sent in a Kialara for another collector and they slabbed it backwards...   collector contacted PCGS and they replied that the original submitter requested this.
LIES!! lol.. why would I do that?  again... showing that it's all a money grab for them.
Zero consistency.

And for the vouchers, I could swear that they allowed you to use them using the online submission form.. but I am probably wrong, as I still see 2x unclaimed vouchers in my account.

I submitted eight physical bitcoins last year and the year before. No problems at all. The vouchers covered them. I did not ask for any special services (errors, etc.)

[2stout]

PCGS charges $70 + shipping. Holy crap.

I usually join their Platinum Club each year I want to get coins graded. It is $249. You receive a bunch of things, including 8 submissions. This brings the price down to about $32 a coin.

Yeah, the vouchers give $40 off per coin, which is the cost of their Regular Tier service... a nice bonus I guess

And yes, $70 grade fee (mandatory for crypto/bitcoin related items), $10 handling fee, $10 ship to fee and $27 return shipping fee (more if you have more coins/over certain value)

Don't know if I was told correctly, but I was told by PCGS I couldn't use the vouchers to subtract from the $70 because Express was in a higher tier than Regular.  From 14 Feb 2025:

"Thank you for contacting PCGS Customer Care.
 
Our Gold and Platinum Membership Vouchers are only valid for the Regular service for coins valued $2,500 or less. This would not qualify for Special Issues or Express service."

Did something change between then and now?

Maybe... from what I get, PCGS customer service is all over the place.. zero consistency.
I sent in a Kialara for another collector and they slabbed it backwards...   collector contacted PCGS and they replied that the original submitter requested this.
LIES!! lol.. why would I do that?  again... showing that it's all a money grab for them.
Zero consistency.

And for the vouchers, I could swear that they allowed you to use them using the online submission form.. but I am probably wrong, as I still see 2x unclaimed vouchers in my account.

I submitted eight physical bitcoins last year and the year before. No problems at all. The vouchers covered them. I did not ask for any special services (errors, etc.)

The price change and tier for crypto occurred within the 1st month, if not 1st quarter of this year.  Before that, yes, vouchers covered these as Regular submissions as long as the monetary value of the item didn't exceed the service tier threshold.