Grading

Grading slabs are protective holders that encase collectibles, providing a clear display while safeguarding them from physical damage. Professional grading services, such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), utilize a standardized grading scale, often a 70-point system, to evaluate items. This scale considers various factors, including wear, luster, and surface quality, attempting to provide a consistent and objective assessment.

Specifically for cryptocurrency items, grading will usually involve noting the face value of the item, its funding status (unloaded, redeemed, and loaded), and its serial number and/or firstbits.

Having items slabbed offers several benefits, including:

• Protection: Slabs shield collectibles from environmental damage, handling, and wear, preserving their condition over time.
• Authentication: The grading process includes at least a minimal attempt at establishing the authenticity of the item. The slabs themselves feature tamper-evident seals, ensuring that the item remains in its graded state.

Most grading services operate a public registry of items they have graded. Notably, well-organized services such as PCGS offer a population report, detailing the number of items graded at each level, providing collectors with valuable insights into the rarity and desirability of their items.

Notable Information

Historically, grading services have focused on traditional numismatic items. As a result, different services have different degrees of support for cryptocurrency items, as many are still updating their processes and standards to integrate this asset class

For items graded by ICG, a considerable number of grading certificates were lost due to mismanagement. As a result, some ICG certificates linked on this site may lead to non-existent pages. Typically, this does not negate the grade of the item. Provided that the slab is in good condition, you may be eligible to have it reslabbed with a new serial number from ICG.