FAQ on some designations used on NGC holders, such as First Day of Issue, First Releases, Authentic Hand-Signed, etc.

FAQ on some terms used on the NGC holders such as First Day of Issue, First Releases, Authentic Hand-Signed,

NGC, or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, is a leading independent grading service for coins, tokens and medals. NGC provides certification and grading services to collectors and dealers around the world to ensure the authenticity and quality of their numismatic holdings.

One of the many ways NGC adds value to collectibles is by offering special designations for coins that meet certain criteria. These designations include ” First Day of Issue,” “First Releases,” and“Authentic Hand Signed.”

What exactly does “First Day of Issue” mean:

” First Day of Issue” – to be considered a ” First Day of Issue”, coins must be purchased within one day of the first day a mint offers a new coin issue for sale and must be received by NGC within one week of the issue date. Coins with “First Day of Issue” are available only by special request and require a higher grading fee. First Day of Issue coins are listed separately in the NGC census. They are also eligible for inclusion in the popular NGC registry. This designation confirms that the coin was one of the first minted and issued by the mint, which makes it a very desirable addition to any collection.

Examples:

South Africa Big Five 2019 – Lion – Series I – 1 oz Gold – NGC PF70 UCAM – First Day of Issue

South Africa Big Five 2019 – Lion – Series I – 1 oz Platinum – NGC PF70 UCAM – First Day of Issue

What are “First Releases”?

NGC offers the “First Releases®” designation for select coins received by NGC within the first 30 days of their release. The term “First Releases” is noted in the coin’s description on the NGC certification label. First releases coins are listed separately in the NGC census. They are also eligible for inclusion in the popular NGC registry.

Krugerrand 2017 50th Anniversary Gold NGC First Editions PF70 UCAM

Krugerrand 2017 50th Anniversary Prestige Set NGC First Releases 6 Gold Coins

What is a First Struck (NGC) or First Strike (PCGS) issue?

According to the NGC, these are coins that can be proven to be among the first minted by a mint. These coins are accompanied by official documentation from the mint, which indicates that this group of coins is the first minting. The NGC certification label indicates that the encapsulated coin is one of the first coins minted by the mint, and gives the overall size of the”FirstStruck / Erstprägung” (for example: “One of First 600 Struck”). This designation is only available for selected bulk submissions.

Example:

Krugerrand 2007 First Strike Set Proof Gold 4 coins

The PCGS First Strike program identifies coins issued in the first 30 days of release by the Mint. This designation not only adds additional value to modern coins, but takes modern coin collecting to another level by allowing for multiple coin releases per year.

Example:

USA – American Eagle Gold Proof – 2016 – 50 US Dollar – First Strike – 30th Anniversary – PCGS PR70 DCAM

What does ” Authentic Hand-Signed” mean?

The designation “Authentic Hand-Signed” is given to coins that bear the autograph of a prominent person who was involved in the design or production of the coin. This may be the designer of the coin, the engraver, or other key figures who were involved in the making of the coin or the coin business. Coins with the “Authentic Hand-Signed” designation are highly sought after by collectors because they offer a tangible connection to the history and artistry of the coin.

The NGC “Authentic Hand-Signed” labels guarantee that it is a genuine autograph of the person named on the NGC label.

Example:

South Africa Big Five 2020 – Rhino – Series I – 1 oz Gold – NGC PF69 UCAM – First Day of Issue – First day of issue signed by Tumi Tsehlo (Authentic Hand Signed). Tumi Tsehlo was Managing Director at SA Mint from 2012 to 2019.

South Africa Big Five 2019 – Lion – Series I – 1 oz Gold – NGC PF70 UCAM – First day of issue signed by Tumi Tsehlo (Authentic Hand Signed)

South Africa Big Five 2019 – Lion – Series I – 1 oz Platinum – NGC PF70 UCAM – First day of issue with original signature (Authentic Handsigned) by Tumi Tsehlo (Managing Director of SA Mint 2019).

In summary, NGC’s special designations for coins increase the value and prestige of collectibles. The “First Day of Issue”, “First Releases” and “Authentic Hand-Signed” designations confirm the rarity and historical significance of the coins and make them even more desirable to collectors around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, NGC’s certification and appraisal services can help you build a numismatic collection that will be treasured for generations.