Professional Coin Grading Service leads numismatic hobby with massive leap forward in anti-counterfeiting technology
Professional Coin Grading Service has announced that it will begin embedding Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in all holders. This revolutionary advancement launches after an initial limited rollout earlier last year with coins graded in PCGS Gold Shield holders to test compatibility and user response, both of which were overwhelmingly positive.
“PCGS is the industry leader in fighting counterfeiting,” says PCGS President Brett Charville. “PCGS has always been ahead of the curve in the numismatic industry regarding technology, and the inclusion of NFC technology is just the latest way we can stay one step ahead of counterfeiters and ensure collectors and dealers that their PCGS coins and banknotes are exactly what the label promises.”
Adds Charville, “You collect, we protect.”
PCGS, which has led the way in utilizing NFC technology within numismatic industry, enables collectors to tap their holders with a phone, launching certification information right on the device’s screen. This data ensures collectors, dealers, customers, and others that the coin or banknote stated on the label is indeed the piece inside the holder. The NFC technology has become necessary in a day and age when counterfeit coins and banknotes are more sophisticated than ever before. To combat this, PCGS partnered with HID Global to insert NFC technology in all holders, including PCGS Banknote holders, to provide peace of mind that collectibles within PCGS holders are 100% authentic and are in the grade or condition that is stated on the label.
NFC inserts require no new hardware or any software updates. They are solid-state and have no moving parts, do not contain any sort of battery, and will be encased in the same industry-leading holder that keeps your coins and banknotes safe. Therefore, without the risk of exposure to the elements and damage, expect these inserts to last beyond the general expected lifespan of 100,000+ scans and 40+ years. That means a collector scanning the NFC insert in any given PCGS holder can do so worry-free. NFC technology works by exchanging encrypted technology between itself and another NFC-enabled device, such as a smartphone.
How Can I Tell if a Holder has NFC Technology?
All PCGS holders with NFC technology can be identified through the following three features:
1. The NFC chip contained with the label.
2. The NFC logo on the lower left corner of the holder’s obverse.
3. The black NFC logo on the holder’s reverse.
Please Note: For special labels, only the first two features apply.
Instructions
Those using an Android or iPhone 8 (or newer) already have everything they need to benefit from PCGS’s NFC technology upgrade. All they need to do is upgrade the mobile operation system to the latest version, download PCGS Cert Verification, tap on the NFC switch to activate it and then put those devices close to the chip. The PCGS Cert Verification will automatically load on phones.
If you do not install the PCGS Cert Verification app, your device will open a web browser with information about the slab and coin or banknote within. The app can be installed for free. Search for “PCGS cert” in Android Google play store or app store to download.
PCGS NFC Technology FAQs
Q: Do I Need to Download an App?
A: If your device has an active NFC reader, putting the phone in proximity of the holder will automatically launch the PCGS Cert Verification app if it is already installed. If you do not have that app, it will open a web browser to display the information about the slab and the coin or banknote within.
To take full advantage of this security and anti-counterfeiting technology, we recommend downloading the PCGS Cert Verification app
Q: How Close Does My Device Need to Be?
A: To ensure that you can use the NFC technology, please place the front of your device as close as possible to the label of the PCGS holder.
Q: Will This Work on My Device?
A: Android phones as of 2012 and iPhone 8 (or newer) phones already have NFC readers available. You may need to turn on this feature in settings.
Q: If my device doesn’t have NFC function, can I Use the Barcode?
A: Yes, the barcode will still work with the PCGS Cert Verification app, however the QR code will not appear on labels going forward.
Q: Is There an Extra Cost?
A: NFC technology will be included in all PCGS coin and banknote holders at no additional cost.
Q: Are the NFC anti-counterfeiting technology inserts Secure?
A: Yes, when used in conjunction with the PCGS Cert Verification app, this technology is the most secure anti-counterfeiting technology available in our market. The NFC technology insert contains a uniform resource locator (URL) generating a unique, cryptographic one-time password (OTP) that changes every time the insert is tapped. This password is validated by the HID Trusted Tag® Cloud Authentication service to prove that it is the exact same tag that was issued with the slab. Our integration with this system allows Cert Verification to confirm the authenticity of the insert and flag any potential issues.
Q: What if Mine Doesn’t Work?
A: The first step we recommend is ensuring your coin includes an NFC insert by looking for the NFC symbols on the reverse and/or obverse of the coin holder. Next, we recommend checking your device compatibility and settings to assure that your NFC reader is on and that you have a reliable connection to the internet. If you find that the feature is still not functioning correctly, please contact PCGS Customer Service HK office at 852 2194 6688 or send messages to +852 6933 7411 (WhatsApp, LINE or WeChat) for Asian services of PCGS.
Q: How Long Does NFC Technology Last?
A: NFC inserts are solid-state and have no moving parts, do not contain any sort of battery, and will be encased in the same industry-leading holder that keeps your coins and banknotes safe. Therefore, without the risk of exposure to the elements and damage, we expect NFC technology to last beyond the general expected lifespan of 100,000+ scans and 40+ years.