PCGS Launches Ancient Coin Grading for Select Chinese Coins

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After much anticipation in the numismatic community, the time has finally come to announce that PCGS has launched grading services for ancient coins. Ancient grading began early in August and has kicked off with a variety of Chinese cash coins representing the Qing Dynasty. These Qing Dynasty cash coins are among the most popular ancient coins and are collected by countless numismatists in China and throughout the rest of the world.

PCGS Embarks on an Ancient Journey
“The PCGS team has been planning to enter the world of ancient coins for a long time now,” remarked PCGS President Stephanie Sabin. “Not only are we offering unprecedented protection to our customers with the industry’s first and only comprehensive guarantee on ancient coins, but we are also grading them on a 10-point grading scale that is poised to become the standard among ancient coin grading.”

What Coins Does the New PCGS Ancient Grading Service Cover?
Currently, PCGS is grading a broad range of standard cash struck by Board of Revenue, Board of Works, and other local mints spanning China. Grading will include large-size standard cash and represent six Qing Dynasty emperors:

Emperor Shunzhi (1644–1661)
Emperor Kangxi (1662–1722)
Emperor Yongzheng (1723–1735)
Emperor Qianlong (1736–1795)
Emperor Jiaqing (1796–1820)
Emperor Daoguang (1821–1850)
The reigns of these six emperors cover a vast range of ancient Chinese history during which untold numbers of cash coins were struck for use throughout the land. Qing Dynasty cash coins are easily among the most widely recognized coins of their era, beloved by collectors around the globe.

Understanding the New Grading Scale
The 10-point grading scale will range from 1, representing a disastrously cast coin with heavy circulation wear and few details, to 10, a numismatically perfect example with no apparent defects and full, original bloom. This 10-point grading scale has been carefully developed by some of the hobby’s leading experts in ancient coins and simply makes the most sense for evaluating an ancient coin’s strike, state of preservation, and overall presentation.

Unrivaled Guarantees
Every coin graded as part of the PCGS ancients grading service will come with a comprehensive guarantee that covers both the coin’s grade and authenticity. This is unprecedented among the grading of ancient coins, which are often misunderstood and, in some cases, may be beyond the wheelhouse of many graders at various services. PCGS has endeavored to hire the best and brightest ancient coin experts before launching this new service, and as with every other service PCGS offers, backs up its word 100%. No wonder the best coins always end up in PCGS holders!

The Hobby Reacts to this Exciting News
Many numismatic luminaries who are active in the realm of ancient Chinese coinage have anticipated the announcement. Among them is distinguished numismatist Sun Hao, who said, “I am delighted to hear that PCGS will soon launch authentication and grading services for ancient Chinese coins. [I] look forward to witnessing its further growth here after years of commitment to the market.”

Shanghai Hosane Auction Co., Ltd., President Yuan Kaining commented, “With ancient Chinese coinage representing a cornerstone of China’s monetary heritage, professional and impartial grading stands as a hallmark of market maturity. PCGS brings expertise and confidence to the industry. We anticipate it will set new benchmarks and unlock more possibilities for the ancient Chinese coin grading market.”

How To Submit Your Qing Dynasty Cash for Grading
Ancient coin grading services are currently only available through the PCGS office in Shanghai. Individuals who register as a Collectors Club member on the PCGS Shanghai official website (www.pcgs.com.cn) can submit their ancient Chinese cash coins from the Qing Dynasty or submit through any PCGS Authorized Dealer. For more information about submitting coins for grading under this new service, please visit https://pcgs.com/ancients

KOYNGUY

Who is going to let PCGS know that 1644-1850 is not considered ancient.
Here's what AI says ancient is,
"The word "ancient" generally refers to things that existed or occurred in a distant past, especially before the end of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD). "
In the 2670 years since the inception of coinage 380-120 years old is considered modern by Ancient Greek and Roman numismatists. They are in the KM catalog for Pete's sake.
While I applaud any excursion into older coinage, China coinage predates the PCGS range by over 2000 years.
PCGS says,
"After much anticipation in the numismatic community, the time has finally come to announce that PCGS has launched grading services for ancient coins. Ancient grading began early in August"
PCGS has already done medieval that predates AD 1000, In fact they have certified both Roman and Greek coins for periods.
By using this terminology, U.S. coins 1792-1850 are considered "Ancient"
I have offered PCGS assistance in developing a REAL ancient service covering Greek & Roman
coins after PCGS President Stephanie Sabin in a redbook blog suggested that it may be in the works. I only hope that this expansion is only the beginning of a much larger and in-depth foray such as NGC has developed over the last 18 years under the direction of David Vagi.
As always, my thoughts and opinions, with my continued respect to our host, J.P. Martin

Sapyx

While the classical European-centric historical divisions of ancient/medieval/modern are largely meaningless in the Chinese series, I'd agree that the Qing Dynasty is usually regarded as "modern", rather than "ancient". Indeed, I'd have been surprised if you'd told me that up until now, Qing Dynasty cash coins weren't slabbable since, as noted above, they are listed in the Krause world coin catalogues and I'd have assumed that "everything listed in Krause was already slabbable".

I'd also assume that this is just the start and, given time, the slabbing range will extend into mediaeval and actually-ancient Chinese coins. I'd likewise assume that the range will also extend in due course into actually-ancient and mediaeval Western coins (Greek, Roman, Celtic, Hammered, etc).

John Conduitt

I think 'PCGS Education' needs educating on grading ancients.