Independent field notes for certified-coin collectorsGrades · Verification · Market research
Graded CoinsThe collector's standard
VALUE LAB / 001

Is it worth getting graded?

A no-hype financial worksheet. Enter your own estimates to compare a certified sale with selling raw. We do not predict grades or prices.

Estimated certified net profit—
Break-even certified sale price—
Total certified route costs—
Certified vs. raw incremental profit—

Change an input to see the arithmetic.

Calculation: net = assumed certified sale price − acquisition − grading − shipping − other costs − assumed sale-price-based fee. Raw profit = assumed raw resale proceeds − acquisition − raw-sale costs. The comparison ignores time value, taxes, and grade-outcome probabilities. Fee rate is a hypothetical user input, not a statement of current eBay rates.

How to use the result

Run a low case, a middle case, and an optimistic case. The calculator does not assign grades, account for hidden charges, or guarantee resale results. For a coin you already own, compare the incremental profit of grading with the raw-sale option, not just the historical return on acquisition cost.

For current service tiers and fees, consult PCGS and NGC directly. Read the complete grading-fee guide →