What Certified Gold Bullion Items Should I Avoid?

PCGS originated in 1986 as numismatists saw the growing need for improved regulation in coin grading. For much of the 20th century, coins had been graded as “Good”, “Fine” and “Uncirculated” with little factual basis to back up the opinion of the evaluator. The PCGS created a process for grading that relied on the Sheldon Scale, a 70-point grading system developed by Dr. William Sheldon in 1948. With such a level of precision, some new gold investors may ask themselves, “What certified gold bullion items should I avoid?”

Certification is critical for rare collector’s coins, but is virtually unnecessary for new bullion purchased from a mint. Whether purchasing American Eagle bullion directly from the US Mint or through a gold exchange, you will be receiving coins that are guaranteed by the United States government to be the precise weight and karat weight that you purchased. In addition, the fact that they have come directly from the Mint, these uncirculated coins should be in perfect condition, meaning that you would be paying $30 or more for certification of a coin that you already know is likely to grade MS-69 or MS-70.

Simply put, certification of modern gold bullion by PCGS or NGC is an unnecessary additional expense that does nothing to raise the value of your bullion. With modern bullion typically being bought for investment purposes, the quality guarantee of the United States government is sufficient to cover the needs of any trader or holder of such coins.