Short answer: grading is the professional rating of a coin’s condition, done by services like PCGS and NGC. For most coins people bring us, you do not need to pay to have them graded before selling. We appraise raw (ungraded) coins for free and buy both graded and raw coins.

We are a family shop in Greenville, Dan Hilliard and his sons Michael and Greg, and we would rather give you the honest picture than sell you on something you do not need.

What coin grading actually is

Grading is a rating of a coin’s condition on a standard scale, from heavily worn up to pristine uncirculated. The two names you will see most are PCGS and NGC. When a coin is graded, it comes back sealed in a plastic holder (a “slab”) with the grade on the label. A higher grade usually means a higher value, especially on better dates.

Do you need to grade a coin before selling it?

Usually not. Sending a coin off to be graded costs money and takes time, and for common coins it is not worth it. Grading tends to pay off only on higher-value coins where a certified grade meaningfully raises the price. The honest move is to have the coin appraised first. If it is the kind of coin where grading would help, we will tell you. If it is not, we will save you the trouble.

We buy both ways: already graded (PCGS, NGC) and raw. Bring what you have to our free coin appraisal, and see our sell coins page for everything we buy.

Questions we hear

Where can I get a coin graded near Greenville?

Grading is done by mail through services like PCGS and NGC, not over the counter. Before you pay to grade anything, bring it to us for a free appraisal. We will tell you honestly whether grading is worth it for your coin.

Do I need to grade my coins before I sell them?

Usually not. For most coins, grading costs more than it adds. It mainly helps on higher-value coins. Get a free appraisal first and we will tell you if grading makes sense.

Do you buy graded and certified coins?

Yes. We buy PCGS and NGC graded coins as well as raw, uncertified coins. Bring either.

What is the difference between PCGS and NGC?

They are the two most respected third-party grading services. Both seal the coin in a holder with a grade. Collectors trust both, and we buy coins graded by either.

Stop in today

Greenville Gold & Silver, 1637 Woodruff Rd, Ste C, Greenville, SC 29607

Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 10am to 3pm. No appointment needed. 864-901-7975

Call 864-901-7975