Aureum

Education

Certified coins

Independent grading began in the mid-1980s so collectors could buy and sell without meeting. A certified coin is sealed in a tamper-evident holder — a slab — with its grade, description, and serial number. American Gold Exchange and every serious desk insist on PCGS or NGC for U.S. gold and silver over $100.

PCGS

Est. 1986

Professional Coin Grading Service invented third-party slabs. Coins are examined against published standards and sealed in a sonically welded NumisCap holder with a serial number. PCGS backs grade and authenticity with a cash guarantee — the reason sight-unseen trading works.

NGC

Est. 1987

Numismatic Guaranty Company assigns a grade only after three staff numismatists agree. Holders use inert plastic, sulfur-free inserts, and a hologram. Official grading service of the American Numismatic Association since 1995.

CAC

Est. 2007

Certified Acceptance Corporation does not grade raw coins. It stickers already-slabbed PCGS and NGC pieces that meet a stricter quality bar for that grade. CAC-approved coins routinely bring a premium.

Why slabs matter

  • Authenticity. Graders reject counterfeits, added mint marks, and altered dates before a holder is sealed.
  • Grade lock. The Sheldon 1–70 number travels with the coin. Electronic networks quote bid/ask against that number the way a stock ticker quotes a symbol.
  • Problem-free guarantee. Artificial toning, harsh cleaning, PVC damage, and major scratches keep a coin out of a standard holder — or land it in a details holder that trades at a discount.
  • Storage. Inert plastic and a sonic weld protect against moisture and handling. Do not crack a slab unless you are resubmitting.

Before you sell

If Aureum’s range sits above $100 — especially U.S. gold — get a PCGS or NGC holder first. Auction houses and American Gold Exchange will not treat raw gold the same way they treat a certified piece. CAC is optional polish for coins that already look strong for the assigned grade.