Founded in 1986, the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) reached a milestone Wednesday, October 24, 2012, by authentication and grading its 25 millionth coin.
The combined market value of PCGS-graded coins has exceeded $27 billion, according to the company.
"It was just eight years ago in November 2004 that we certified our 10 millionth coin. Since then, PCGS services to collectors and dealers in the U.S. and overseas have grown along with the overall number of submissions."
PCGS expansions, this year alone, include a new office in Hong Kong and a new, larger one in Paris to service Europe. The company also developed and launched the websites PCGSEurope.com and PCGSAsia.com to support and provide information for collectors and dealers.
About the 25 Millionth Graded Coin
A historically rare 1871 10 Yen, pictured above and valued at $6,000 or more, holds the distinction as the 25 millionth coin authenticated by PCGS.
Struck from 16.6 grams of .900 fine gold with 1,867,032 produced, the 1871 10 Yen features an obverse of a dragon and a pearl that represent the sun. Its reverse includes a mirror, sunburst and military banners with a raised line border around some of the design elements.
"The 1871 10 Yen is an important coin in Japanese numismatic history," states PCGS. "During the fourth year of the reign of Emperor Meiji, Japan adopted a gold standard under the New Currency Act of 1871, and it marked the start of the modern era of Japanese decimal coinage."
Graded PCGS Secure Plus™ MS65, the coin was submitted by a PCGS Collectors Club member in Tokyo. In a thank you to mark the milestone submission, the Professional Coin Grading Service gifted the Japanese collector a Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle graded PCGS Secure Plus MS65. The gold piece is valued today at about $2,500.
About PCGS
PCGS grades and authenticates coins dating as far back as the 16th century and from over 100 countries to include the United States, Australia, Great Britain, Spain, Germany, France, Greece, Italy, Russia, Poland, Switzerland, and countries in Asia, such as China, Japan and Korea, as well as countries in Africa and Central and South America
More information about the Professional Coin Grading Service may be found at www.PCGS.com.
