PCGS Coin Grading — The Complete UK Guide
PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) is one of the world's two dominant coin authentication and grading services, alongside NGC. This guide covers everything UK collectors need to know: what PCGS stands for, the full grading scale, how PR and MS grades differ, Cameo and Deep Cameo explained, how to verify a PCGS coin, PCGS CoinFacts, First Strike designations, and how PCGS grading applies to British coins.
What is PCGS? What does PCGS stand for?
PCGS stands for Professional Coin Grading Service. It was founded in 1986 in Santa Ana, California by a group of prominent coin dealers and collectors led by David Hall, making it the older of the two major services (NGC was founded a year later in 1987).
PCGS was the first service to introduce the concept of independently certified, slabbed coins — encapsulating authenticated and graded coins in sealed plastic holders. This innovation transformed the coin market by providing a standardised, trusted reference for buyers and sellers.
PCGS has certified over 50 million coins worldwide and is part of the Collectors Universe group. Like NGC, PCGS grades coins on the Sheldon 1–70 scale, authenticates coins, and seals them in tamper-evident holders.
PCGS website: www.pcgs.com · Cert verification: pcgs.com/cert
The PCGS grading scale — 1 to 70
PCGS uses the same Sheldon 1–70 numeric grading scale as NGC. The grade categories and their meanings are identical in structure, though PCGS uses slightly different prefix codes for some coin types.
| Grade Range | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| MS/PR 70 | Perfect | No post-production imperfections visible at 5× magnification. |
| MS/PR 69 | Near Perfect | Nearly imperceptible imperfections — the most commonly seen high grade for modern coins. |
| MS/PR 67–68 | Superb Gem | Very minor imperfections; exceptional quality. |
| MS/PR 65–66 | Gem | Well-struck with minimal marks; collectible quality. |
| MS/PR 63–64 | Choice | Above-average strike with some visible marks or hairlines. |
| MS/PR 60–62 | Uncirculated | No wear but noticeable marks, abrasions or weak strike. |
| AU 50–58 | About Uncirculated | Slight wear on highest points only; most lustre retained. |
| XF 40–45 | Extremely Fine | Light wear on high points; good detail throughout. |
| VF 20–35 | Very Fine | Moderate wear on design; major features sharp. |
| F 12–15 | Fine | Even moderate wear; major design elements visible. |
| VG 8–10 | Very Good | Well-worn; design clearly visible but somewhat flat. |
| G 4–6 | Good | Heavily worn; major design elements outlined. |
| AG 3 | About Good | Very heavily worn; type identifiable. |
| FR 2 | Fair | Barely identifiable. |
| PO 1 | Poor | Lowest grade — just enough to identify type and date. |
PCGS strike type codes — MS, PR, SP
One of the key differences between PCGS and NGC is the prefix used for Proof coins. Understanding this prevents confusion when comparing certified coins from the two services.
Coins with no trace of wear, struck for circulation or in the same format. Grades 60–70. Same meaning as NGC MS.
PCGS uses PR for Proof coins (e.g. PR 70). NGC uses PF for the same type of coin. Both mean the same thing — a collector coin struck with polished dies. When comparing grades, PR 70 DCAM (PCGS) = PF 70 UC (NGC).
Coins of higher-than-circulation quality but below full Proof standard. Same meaning as NGC SP.
PCGS's "Secure Plus" holder designation for coins graded with enhanced security features. Not a grade modifier — this refers to the holder type, not the coin's quality.
Key difference: PCGS uses PR for Proof coins. NGC uses PF. Both describe the same thing. So PCGS PR 70 DCAM is equivalent to NGC PF 70 UC.
PCGS Cameo and Deep Cameo (DCAM) explained
Like NGC, PCGS assigns cameo designations to Proof coins that exhibit contrast between mirrored fields and frosted devices. PCGS uses different terminology from NGC for these designations:
The highest PCGS cameo designation. Deeply mirrored fields and heavily frosted devices — bold, icy contrast on both sides. Equivalent to NGC Ultra Cameo (UC). The most desirable surface type for modern Proof coins.
Mirrored fields with moderately frosted devices — good contrast but not as stark as DCAM. Equivalent to NGC Cameo (CAM).
For Royal Mint Proof coins, the top designation to look for is PR 70 DCAM — a perfect Proof coin with the best possible surface quality. This is the PCGS equivalent of an NGC PF 70 UC coin.
PCGS special designations — First Strike, Variety Plus, Star
First Strike
PCGS First Strike is the PCGS equivalent of NGC's Early Releases designation. It is awarded to coins received by PCGS within the first 30 days of the coin's official release date. First Strike coins carry a special red label and can attract collector premiums. The designation does not affect the numeric grade — it is a time-based recognition only.
The + (Secure Plus) designation
PCGS uses a Plus (+) designation in two contexts: as a grade modifier (indicating a coin at the high end of its grade) and as a holder identifier (PCGS Secure Plus holder, which includes enhanced anti-counterfeiting features). Context determines which meaning applies.
Variety Plus (VP)
PCGS Variety Plus recognises notable die varieties — coins struck from specific dies that numismatists value separately from the standard issue. This is particularly relevant for US coins but applies to world and British variety coins too.
The ★ (Star) designation
Like NGC, PCGS awards a Star (★) to coins with exceptional eye appeal above what their numeric grade would suggest. A PCGS MS 66★ coin has the surfaces of a 66 but visually looks more like a 67 or higher.
PCGS TrueView
PCGS TrueView is a professional coin photography service that produces high-resolution images of PCGS-certified coins. TrueView images are stored on the PCGS website against the certification number, allowing buyers to see exactly what a coin looks like before purchasing. This is a significant advantage for online buyers who cannot physically inspect a coin.
How to verify a PCGS coin
Every PCGS-certified coin carries a unique certification number on its label. To verify:
- Find the certification number on the PCGS label (typically a 7–9 digit number).
- Visit pcgs.com/cert and enter the number.
- Results show the coin's grade, designation, any TrueView images, and population data.
You can also scan the barcode on the holder with the PCGS mobile app. The app provides full certification details and links to TrueView images where available.
PCGS Population Report: PCGS's population data shows how many coins of each type have received each grade. A PR 70 DCAM with a population of just 10 is far rarer than one with 5,000 examples — and typically commands a significantly higher price.
PCGS CoinFacts — the price guide
PCGS CoinFacts (pcgs.com/coinfacts) is one of the most comprehensive coin encyclopaedias and price guides available. For US coins, it provides:
- Complete auction records and price history
- Population data by grade
- Die variety information
- Historical mintage figures
- Grade-based price estimates
For British and world coins, PCGS maintains a world coin section at pcgs.com/world, though coverage is less comprehensive than for US coins. UK collectors seeking detailed British coin values are better served by specialist UK references such as Spink, auction records from DNW or Baldwin's, or dealer price lists.
PCGS and British coins
Does PCGS grade British coins?
Yes. PCGS grades British coins including Royal Mint Proof sets, Brilliant Uncirculated coins, Sovereigns, Britannias, commemorative 50p coins, and historic pre-decimal coinage. UK collectors can submit to PCGS via PCGS-authorised dealers in the UK or directly as a PCGS member.
PCGS vs NGC for UK coins — which to choose?
Both services are accepted and respected in the UK coin market. A few practical considerations:
- NGC has historically had a larger world coin programme and is more commonly seen on UK secondary market listings
- PCGS TrueView photography adds value for online buyers
- PCGS CoinFacts is more comprehensive for US coins; for UK coins both are similar in coverage
- Check whether your target buyer community (dealers, auction houses, eBay) prefers one service over the other for your specific coin type
What grades do Royal Mint Proof coins achieve at PCGS?
Modern Royal Mint Proof coins typically grade PR 69 DCAM or PR 70 DCAM at PCGS. As with NGC, PR 70 DCAM is relatively rare and commands a notable premium over PR 69 DCAM examples of the same coin.
PCGS vs NGC — quick reference
| Feature | PCGS | NGC |
|---|---|---|
| Proof prefix | PR (e.g. PR 70) | PF (e.g. PF 70) |
| Deep Cameo | DCAM | Ultra Cameo (UC) |
| Cameo | CAM | Cameo (CAM) |
| Early release label | First Strike | Early Releases (ER) |
| Holder colour | Blue | White/Black |
| Photography service | TrueView | NGC photo options |
| Founded | 1986 | 1987 |
See our full NGC guide and grading services comparison for a deeper look at both services.