PCGS Restoration
RETURN YOUR COINS TO THEIR ORIGINAL NATURAL CONDITION
PCGS Restoration is a service designed to help Collectors address environmental problems with their coins.
- Preserve Your Coins’ Originality
- Receive Expert Evaluation
- Receive PCGS Grading & Guarantee of Authenticity & Grade on all Coin Restorations
RESTORATION POLICIES & PRICING
Pricing & Policies
- Modern Service (1955 to date, maximum value of 300 USD per coin):33 USD per coin which includes the Restoration and Grading fee.
- General Submissions: Fees for this service are a combination of a base Grading fee and Restoration fee.
The Grading Fee is based on the declared value of the coin.
The Restoration Fee is a 3% Guarantee Premium (minimum of 10 USD) based on the value of the coin in its final grade after restoration. PCGS will determine all fees once the order is finalized. The final value of the coin is determined by the Price Guide value for that grade or the Declared Value of the coin, if the Price Guide value is not avaliable.
10 USD Evaluation Fee: If PCGS determines the coin(s) will not benefit from restoration or should not be restored, the coin(s) will still be submitted for grading. Coins that are not restorable will be charged an evaluation fee of 10 USD per coin and then sent for grading. For coins that complete the grading process, standard grading fees apply plus the evaluation fee (see below for grading fee structure).
Additional Fees
- For coins that require the use of an oversized holder, there is an additional fee of 10 USD per coin.
- TrueView™ is an additional fee of 5 USD per coin.
- Mint Errors & Varieties will be charged an additional fee of 15 USD. This fee is non-refundable.
- A Handling Fee of 10 USD plus 1 USD per coin applies to all submissions.
Please Note: The final cost of a restoration submission cannot be determined until coins have completed the restoration and grading process; consequently, the submission form costs will be estimated before the Guarantee Premium would be applied.
Restoration fees can be paid by the following methods of payments: Credit Cards, Cash or Bank Wire Transfer.
| Service Level | Maximum Coin Value (USD) | Extra Fee Per Coin (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| †Restoration Rarity | No limit | 350（+3%GP） |
| †Restoration High Value | 100,000 | 130（+3%GP） |
| †Restoration Premium | 10,000 | 80（+3%GP） |
| †Restoration Regular | 2,500 | 45（+3%GP） |
| †Restoration Value* | 1,250 | 30（+3%GP） |
| †Restoration Economy Non-Gold* | 300 | 22（+3%GP） |
| Restoration Modern (1955 to Date)* | 300 | 33 |
NFC anti-counterfeiting technology included in all service levels.
* Guarantee Premium (GP)/Restoration Fee: 3% of the value of the coin in its final grade. The value of the coin is determined by the PCGS Price Guide value or the Declared value if the Price Guide value is not available. The minimum amount for the Guarantee Premium is 10 USD. PCGS reserves the right to make the final determination of the coin's value. Applies to any coins that are deemed restorable.
* Patterns, Specimens, Mint Errors, Pre 1925 Russian (1 Rouble and larger), and Chinese portrait/dragon/fantasy dollars must be submitted at the Regular Service Level or higher
Eligibility & Requirements
All U.S. and World coins that PCGS currently authenticates may be submitted.
You must be a current PCGS Collectors Club Member or PCGS Authorized Dealer to submit coins for PCGS Restoration.
The appropriate PCGS Asia Restoration submission form must be used.
Submit currently PCGS-graded coins in their existing holders.
Coins graded by other third-party grading services may be submitted, only if you authorize PCGS to remove the coin(s) from their holder(s) following the initial evaluation of the coin(s). Coins removed from other third-party holders do not qualify for a grade guarantee. You indemnify PCGS from any damage that may be done to the coin(s) during this process. You also acknowledge that some coins may have problems that are not apparent until removed from their holder.
Restoration submissions will be accepted at the PCGS Hong Kong office, through the mail, or at Trade Shows (when avaliable).
Genuine with Details is the default Genuine service. The “Do Not Holder” Genuine option can be selected on the submission form.
Restoration Process
The Restoration service adds time to normal grading turnaround times. Estimated turnaround time is 4-6 weeks. All turnaround times are estimated.
All coins are evaluated before being removed from their holders.
You must agree that PCGS has the right to determine all final coin values.
You must agree to pay all fees as determined by PCGS or your submission will not be accepted.
All grades are possible including Genuine, Not Gradable.
PCGS Restoration Dos & Don'ts
Submitting a coin for PCGS Restoration in no way guarantees the upgrade of your coin. If the coin is already in a PCGS holder, it is guaranteed not to downgrade, nothing more. Through our restoration service, PCGS is committed to preserving and restoring coins to their original and natural condition.
Toning
- PCGS Restoration will not remove original toning simply to make a coin white.
- PCGS Restoration will never add toning to a coin.
- In cases where PCGS determines that removing toning is necessary and desirable and will not detract from the coin, it may be done. This type of toning may be the result of improper storage, interaction with corrosive materials, or a stain due to an accidental spill.
Surface Contaminants
- PCGS Restoration will remove any contaminants that are determined to have been deliberately and artificially applied. Examples include putty, dumdum, grease and other substances known to be used by “coin doctors.”
- Restoration will remove contaminants introduced to the coin's surface through improper care or storage. Examples include PVC or Verdigris.
- Dirt or debris can often be removed through a gentle rinse.
- PCGS Restoration will never add any substance to the surface of a coin.
Spots
- Spots on coins can be the result of a variety of causes. Many spots can be removed, yet some cannot be removed without damaging the coin.
- PCGS will not attempt to remove a spot unless it is determined that the spot significantly detracts from the coin's overall appearance or is active and will continue to grow.
- PCGS will not attempt to restore a spotted coin if that in our opinion, a spot is so deep that removal would lower the coin's overall condition.
- Older spots such as old spittle or old thumbprints often cannot be removed without stripping the coin's original surface and will not be attempted.
- Newer contaminants such as recent fingerprints can be removed. Also, certain spots due to corrosive interactions can often be removed without impairing the surface.
Metal
- PCGS Restoration will never add, remove or alter metal. This includes engaging in well-known “coin doctoring” practices such as smoothing, whizzing, polishing, engraving, etc.
- Issues such as scratches, dings, planchet flaws or bending will not be addressed. If it is determined that a coin suffering from one or more of these problems does not have other issues that can be addressed through Restoration, the coin will be returned as is.