What the holder is
A grading holder is a sealed, rectangular plastic case with a coin and a printed label inside. Collectors often call it a slab.
It comes from a grading service: an independent company that confirms a coin is genuine, grades its condition and seals the coin and label in the holder.
The grade is that service’s judgment of the coin’s condition.
Not every plastic holder is a grading holder. For example, the U.S. government once sold silver dollars in plastic holders of its own.
What the label shows
Look for:
- The date and, if the coin has one, the mintmark: the letter or letters that show which mint made it.
- The denomination (cent, dime, dollar and so on), often shortened: a dollar may appear as a dollar sign and a 1.
- The grade, usually in letters and a number.
- A certification number, unique to that coin, and a barcode.
- Sometimes more: a variety name for a small difference in the design, or letters after the grade for things like the color of a copper coin.
What the grade means
On most labels the number comes from the Sheldon scale, which runs from 1 to 70. A higher number means better condition, and 70 is the top.
A few labels use a 10-point scale or give the grade in words only.
The letters in front of the number tell you more:
- MS is Mint State: a coin of the kind made for circulation that shows no wear. Mint State grades run from 60 to 70.
- PF or PR is Proof: a coin struck for collectors, usually from specially prepared dies, graded on the same scale. Which abbreviation you see depends on the service.
- Letters such as VF (Very Fine) or AU (About Uncirculated) go with numbers below 60, for coins with some wear.
When the label says Details
Major grading services typically give a coin with a problem, such as cleaning, scratches or damage, a details grade instead of a regular numeric grade.
The label gives the amount of wear in words, for example AU Details, and notes the problem in words or as a code.
Treat a details coin like any other: leave it sealed and bring it in as it is.
Look up the certification number
Major grading services have a lookup on their own websites. The page shows which number on the label to enter. Add the grade if it asks, then check that the coin and grade it shows match your label.
A matching number alone does not show that a holder is real. Fake holders exist, and some copy a real certification number.
If the lookup shows the service’s own photo of the coin, compare it with yours.
Leave it sealed
Leave the coin sealed in its holder. Major grading services stand behind a grade only while the coin stays inside an unopened holder.
Bring graded coins in their holders to our Garden Grove store; no appointment needed. If you’d like a quote from photos first:
- Photograph the front and back of the holder, with the whole label in the frame.
- Take a close-up if the certification number is hard to read.
- Use good, even light. If the plastic shows glare, tilt the holder a little.
You can also see today’s prices for common coins before you drive.
Questions
Should I take a coin out of its grading holder?
No. Major grading services stand behind a grade only while the coin stays inside an unopened holder.
What does MS mean on a coin label?
Mint State: a coin of the kind made for circulation that shows no wear. Mint State grades run from 60 to 70, and a higher number means better condition.
Does a matching certification number prove the holder is real?
Not on its own. Fake holders exist, and some copy a real certification number. If the lookup shows the service’s own photo of the coin, compare it with yours.