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Is NGC not grading ancients?
logger7
Posts: 10,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
I heard for a local dealer who submitted ancient coins to NGC. They said that after a year or two of not grading the coins, due to the fact that graders had left NGC's company, they were returning the coins. Has anyone else had such an experience?
Where are you going now to submit world coins and how long is it taking?
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I only once submitted ancients to NGC and that was 2-3 years ago.
If NGC is not grading ancients it would be news to me as all my pre 1200 AD coins are in NGC holders.
Despite PCGS' recent expansion of services to include ancients, as exhibited by the Tyrant coins at Pittsburgh ANA, I expected NGC to continue to dominate the grading of ancients.
https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/gold/liberty-head-2-1-gold-major-sets/liberty-head-2-1-gold-basic-set-circulation-strikes-1840-1907/publishedset/15628
March of Time - 27 Centuries in Gold
https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/WCM/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=36590
On their website, NGC is still advertising their Ancients division as being open for business. It might depend on which ancient coins, specifically, are being sent. Their current list of supported coins is:
"the Western World" does not have a strict definition, but I would assume it includes Greek, Roman and Celtic. It definitely wouldn't include Chinese and Indian. It probably wouldn't include Axumite, Sassanian and Kushan.
You also note the weasel-word "most". If the coins were Celtic, for example, and if their Celtic expert quit and they've had trouble finding a replacement, they might not feel competent to grade that series any more.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice.
I've had a submission there since April 10, 2026. It has said scheduled for grading for months now, but no movement. I also received an email from them indicating they are looking to hire ancients graders. So, whatever that means, I do not know. I hope to have them back by next April.
I just sent a submission…😬
I'm BACK!!! Used to be Billet7 on the old forum.
The current turnaround time is 190 days for all Ancient services (except express.)
Maybe I should go work for them 😂
I'm BACK!!! Used to be Billet7 on the old forum.
Too bad the "fast track" option is not available with ancients;
"While NGC offers a Fast Track add-on service that cuts turnaround times in half for a $15 fee, this option is strictly restricted to modern and world/US coin tiers (Standard, Economy, and Modern)."
I heard they lost some of their ancients graders. I'd never tolerate the 190 days grading, that's crazy.
Maybe Tyrant is crossing his set over from PCGS?