NGC Graded Silver American Eagles

NGC Graded Silver Eagles

NGC Graded Silver Eagles are the official 1 troy oz silver bullion coin of the United States. Because of their certification, Silver Eagles remain relatively liquid. This liquidity combined with their low entry cost makes them a popular choice for collectors and investors alike.

Who is the NGC?

NGC stands for the Numismatic Grading Corporation. Numismatics is simply the collection and study of currency, including bullion, coins, and bills. Founded in 1987, the NGC provides consistent, accurate, and objective coin grading. Through their commitment to excellence, knowledge, and integrity, the rare coin market is now more stable than ever before.

The Value of Silver Eagle Coins

Silver Eagle Coins were first produced by the United States Mint in November 1986. They are guaranteed by the U.S. Mint to be exactly one troy ounce of 99.9% pure silver. Silver Eagles have a nominal face value of one dollar, but their intrinsic value, that is, the value of the silver, is much higher, and their collector value is often higher still. The intrinsic value depends on the current spot price of silver, while the collectors value is determined by a coin’s scarcity and condition.

How NGC Grades Silver Eagles

First, coins are entered into the NGC database, barcoded, and stored in the NGC vault until a coin grader is available. The coin in question is then compared to public references to see if it qualifies as a specific type (a Silver Eagle, for example). If the coin matches the reference, the grader makes a note in the coin’s record.

The NGC takes great pride in the accuracy and integrity of its grades, and has several policies in place to ensure their grades are consistent. For example, all work on a coin is done without knowledge of the submitter, and each coin is graded by at least two professional numismatists, who cannot be involved in buying or selling coins. These two or more coin graders work separately, entering their scores into the NGC system.

Available Grades

The Silver American Eagles certified by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation garner a wide range of grades and labels, all depending upon the type of coin the NGC is grading within the Silver Eagle Series and the condition of the specific coins. All coins are issued a grade between 1 and 70 on the Sheldon numeric scale, the internationally-recognized grading scale used to identify the quality and condition of the individual specimens. The most common grades and additional labels you will find include the following NGC designations:

• Mint State/PF 70 – available to BU and Proof coins, this designation identifies a perfect specimen. These coins have full, original mint luster and no detracting flaws of any kind on the design elements or surface areas.
• Mint State/PF 69 – issued to BU and Proof coins as well, this grade level indicates a coin that is in near-perfect condition. Coins with this grade have full, original mint luster with a maximum of two minor detracting flaws. Examples of acceptable flaws include only minuscule contact marks or hairlines, and these flaws must be located outside the primary focal points of the coin.
• Early Release – applicable to any coin, this label means a coin was received by the NGC for grading within the first 30 days of release by the mint.
• UCAM – this grade stands for ultra-cameo and refers to the visual contrast of the design element and the surface area. Specifically, it refers to the contrast between the strong, frosted designs and deeply-mirrored, clear background fields.

Most Collectible Grades

The most collectible grades are, of course, the uncirculated and proof coins. From 1986 through 2008, the United States Mint sold Proof American Silver Eagles to the public at a fixed price. Packaged in a plastic capsule, these coins were then mounted in a satin-lined presentation case. Buyers were also provided with a certificate of authenticity.

Uncirculated Silver Eagles were sold to the public from 2006-2008. These coins were also encased in plastic; however, they came in a velvet bag instead of a presentation case. Special issue coins and sets are still sold by the United States Mint.

Why Investors Prefer Graded Silver Eagles Over Raw

Investors prefer Graded American Silver Eagles over raw silver because they have two reputable guarantees for the coin’s value. First, the United States Mint guarantees the purity and weight of the coin. Second, NGC guarantees that the coin is, in fact, an American Silver Eagle and indicates the coin’s specific condition.

When a commodity undergoes that much scrutiny, investors feel they can trust what they’re getting. This results in a stable, safe investing environment.

NGC Packaging

After the numismatics grade a Silver Eagle and enter the information into NGC’s database, the coin gets taken from NGC’s grading department to its Encapsulation Department. The Encapsulation Department prints out a label with the following information: the mintmarks (if any), the coin’s date, variety (American Silver Eagle), denomination, grade, special designation (things like FBL, or Full Band Lines), and the coin’s identification number.

The identification number is particularly important because it makes each coin unique. It also helps deter counterfeiting. All of this information is also printed in barcode form, which is then placed under the certification label.

After matching coin to label, the Graded Silver Eagle is then placed inside a plastic core, which secures them within a transparent slab. Finally, before sealing the slab with compression and ultrasonic vibration, the NGC cleans the coin with a burst of compressed air.

Invest in NGC Certified Silver Eagles with Silver.com

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