PCGS Banknote
Here you can learn more about the PCGS Banknote grading service available to PCGS Collectors Club members and authorized dealers.
About Banknote Grading
PCGS Banknote is the premier third-party certification service for paper currency.
Each note that enters our building is carefully examined, authenticated, and graded by our team of world-renowned experts. We use state-of-the-art, tamper-evident plastic cases that seal all graded banknotes within a safe, inert, quality holder that will protect the banknote for generations. Nothing beats the peace of mind in knowing your investments are authentic, properly graded, and physically protected against mishandling – and when your banknotes are graded and encapsulated by our PCGS Banknote service, those are guarantees you’ll never have to think twice about.
All banknotes graded and encapsulated by PCGS feature revolutionary Near-Field Communication (NFC) Anti-Counterfeiting Technology allowing collectors and dealers to instantly verify every holder and the banknote within.
Research Banknotes at PCGS NoteFacts
Looking for PCGS Currency?Submission Types
You may submit banknotes through the grading, regrade, reholder or crossover services
Additional Services:
PCGS is proud to offer the following services
First Day of Issue
First Print
Oversized Holder
Prices
Per banknote fee for our most commonly used services
Economy
For pre-1960 banknotes valued up to $300
Value
For banknotes valued up to $1,000
Regular
For banknotes valued up to $2,500
Express
For banknotes valued up to $10,000
High Value
For banknotes valued up to $25,000
Rarity
For banknotes valued over $25,000
Estimated Turnaround Times
| Service Level | Business Days |
|---|---|
| Rarity | 10 |
| High Value | 15 |
| Express | 15 |
| Regular | 20 |
| Special Issues | 30 |
| Value | 25 |
| Economy (Pre 1960) | 30 |
| Modern (1960 – Date) | 25 |
| Bulk Consecutive (min of 25) | 20 |
| Bulk Non Consecutive (min of 50) | 35 |
| Reholder | 8 |
| High Value Reholder | 8 |
The turnaround times stated above are the previous week’s average for each service level indicated. These times are estimated, as turnaround times always vary. Certain paper money may require additional research, and turnaround times can fluctuate based on the amount of research required. Times listed are in business days. Turnaround times may fluctuate based on many factors. PCGS counts business days starting the day after the order is entered into the PCGS system and does not include the time it takes to open incoming packages to PCGS or to ship orders once they are completed.
PCGS Banknote Grading Standards
PCGS Banknote uses a 70-point numerical scale universally accepted by all collectors. Below is a brief description to show how a note is evaluated and assigned a grade by PCGS Banknote. Please note that all banknotes graded 65 and higher must also meet the criteria for Premium Paper Quality (PPQ).
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PCGS Banknote Guarantee
PCGS became the industry standard for coin grading and authentication by providing maximum value, security, and liquidity for collectible coins. We are excited to extend this to our banknote grading service. An added benefit of PCGS grading is the peace of mind provided by our PCGS Guarantee of Grade & Authenticity. This cash-back warranty policy ensures the accuracy of the grade assigned to any PCGS-graded item, as long as it remains in its tamper-evident PCGS holder. Read the PCGS Banknote policy in its entirety through the link below.
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Banknote Error Designations
In the process of printing banknotes, various errors are known to occur that sometimes escape the quality check processes at the printing facilities. Notes with recognized errors can be labeled with a designation to further showcase and identify the unique features of the note.
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