Is Grading Worth It? The Break-Even Point for Every Coin
Yes, but only above a certain value. As a rule of thumb, grading pays off when the total cost is under about 20% of the coin's value. In the UK that means grading is usually sensible for coins worth around £150 or more, and rarely worth it below £100. Scroll down for the chart and a calculator.
Most collectors ask whether grading is worth it after a bad experience. They paid for a slab and the coin sold for less than they hoped. Others never grade and leave money on the table. The honest answer depends on one simple ratio: what grading costs against what the coin is worth.
Step 1What grading actually costs you
The fee on the price list is only part of the bill. For an NGC submission through Pashiz, each coin carries a tier fee, and each form carries a handling fee. Spread across five coins, that handling fee adds about £2.64 per coin.
| Item | Cost (VAT incl.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NGC Economy tier | £26 per coin | Lower-value coins, longer turnaround |
| NGC Standard tier | £43 per coin | Faster, higher value limit |
| NGC handling fee | £13.20 per form | Shared across all coins on the form |
| Return shipping & insurance | Varies | Not included in the chart below |
Always check the current tier limits on the NGC submission form before you send anything. Fees change, and a coin worth more than a tier's value cap must go into a higher tier.
Step 2The break-even chart
The chart shows the cost of grading as a share of each coin's value. Green bars sit under the 20% line. Red bars sit above it.
Two things stand out. A £50 coin loses more than half its value to grading fees, so it can never pay back. A £250 coin sits comfortably under the line, and by £1,000 the cost is a rounding error.
The £150 coin is the borderline case at 19.1%. Grade it only if you expect the slab to lift the price noticeably, as covered below.
Step 3Test your own coin
Grading break-even calculator
Step 4What grading adds to the price
Grading can raise the sale price, but the uplift is not guaranteed. It comes from three things.
Trust
A slab removes the buyer's biggest fear: a fake or an overgraded coin. Buyers pay more for certainty, especially online where they cannot hold the coin.
Liquidity
Graded coins sell faster. A slabbed coin with a clear grade is easier to list and easier to compare, so it attracts more bidders at auction.
Protection
The holder protects the surfaces from handling damage, which preserves the grade you paid for.
Step 5When to skip grading
| Situation | Grade it? |
|---|---|
| Coin worth under £100 | No. Fees take too large a share. |
| Coin worth £150 to £250 | Maybe. Grade only if condition is strong. |
| Coin worth £250 or more in good condition | Usually yes. |
| Cleaned, damaged or heavily worn coin | No. It may come back as "Details" only. |
| Coin you plan to keep, not sell | Optional. Grade for protection and records. |
A simple three-question test
Before you submit, ask yourself these three questions.
- Is the coin worth at least £150 as it is today?
- Is it uncleaned, undamaged and genuinely in good condition for its type?
- Do I plan to sell it, or does certification matter to me?
Three yeses mean grading is probably worth it. One no means think again. If you are unsure, bring the coin to us and we will tell you honestly, with no charge for the opinion.
QuestionsFrequently asked questions
Is coin grading worth it for cheap coins?
Usually not. Below about £100 the fees take more than 20% of the value, so the slab rarely pays for itself.
How much does NGC grading cost in the UK?
Through Pashiz, NGC Economy is £26 and Standard is £43 per coin including VAT, plus a £13.20 handling fee per form. Return shipping is extra.
Does grading always increase a coin's value?
No. It adds value when the coin is genuine, uncleaned and in good condition. A coin that grades low or returns as "Details" may be worth less than before.
Should I grade before selling at auction?
For coins above roughly £250, yes, usually. Buyers bid with more confidence on certified coins. For lower-value coins, selling raw is often better.
Can Pashiz check whether my coin is worth grading?
Yes. As an NGC and PMG authorised dealer, we can review your coins and tell you which are worth submitting.
Not sure which coins to grade?
Send us your list or bring the coins to our London gallery. We will tell you which are worth grading and which to sell as they are.
NGC submission form PMG submission form