Checking a certificate number online means entering the number from the label of an NGC or PCGS slab into the official database of the respective grading company and comparing the result with the coin in hand. The database confirms that a coin with precisely these details was certified. Whether the piece in front of you is indeed that coin can only be determined by comparing the label, holder, and, where available, the photographs taken by the grading company during certification.
Woof, Cooper here. 🐾 My humans check the certificate number before buying an interesting certified coin. It’s quick. However , NGC and PCGS each have their own rules for checking the number, which you should know. I’ll show you where to find the number, where to enter it, and how to read the result.
Short answer: Check the certificate number in five steps
- Determine grading companies. The logo and label indicate whether PCGS or NGC certified the coin. The number belongs in the database of the company that issued it.
- Read the number. For PCGS, it’s the seven or eight digits after the slash. For NGC, it’s the number with a hyphen, for example, in the format 1234567-003.
- Open the official certificate lookup. For PCGS, this is pcgs.com/cert , for NGC it’s ngccoin.com/certlookup . Alternatively, both companies’ apps can read the barcode; PCGS also reads the NFC chip.
- Select the grade at NGC. The NGC website requires the grade from a selection field in addition to the number.
- Compare results. Compare each field with the label. If images are provided, compare the coin with those images.
Where is the certificate number located on the slab?
| feature | PCGS | NGC |
|---|---|---|
| Structure of the number | Number sequence with a slash, approximately 1234.70/12345678 | Number sequence with a hyphen, for example 1234567-003 |
| What you enter | The seven or eight digits after the slash | The entire number; the hyphen may be omitted. |
| Before the separator | PCGS catalog number (Spec Number) and grade | Invoice number of submission |
| Machine readable | Barcode on the label; depending on the holder generation, also a QR code; since October 2020, NFC chip in newly issued holders. | Barcode on the label; some newer holders also have a security hologram with its own QR code on the back. |
At PCGS, only the number after the slash is unique. PCGS states that it does not assign this number to any other coin.
At NGC, the numbering follows a different logic. According to a 2002 NGC explanation, the first sequence of numbers comes from the invoice number of the submission, and the numbers after the hyphen indicate the line on which the coin was listed. Someone submitting three coins on invoice 1234567 will receive the number 1234567-003 for the third coin.
Step by step: Check the certificate number at PCGS
Via the website: Open pcgs.com/cert , enter the seven- or eight-digit number and click on “Verify”.
About the app: The free “PCGS Cert Verification” app reads the barcode on the label. For holder generations with a QR code, this can also be scanned. PCGS has announced that the QR code will no longer appear on new labels; the barcode will continue to function.
About NFC: Since October 2020, PCGS has equipped its newly issued holders with an NFC chip. You can recognize it by the NFC symbol, a shield with three bands above it. It is located on the back of the slab and/or in the bottom left corner of the plastic on the front. Hold your smartphone close to the slab. If the app is installed, it will open automatically; otherwise, the browser will display the data. According to PCGS, Android devices from 2012 onwards and iPhones from the XS model onwards read the chip directly; NFC may need to be activated in the settings. For iPhone 7 through iPhone X, a separate NFC reader app is required.
The results page displays the following information: PCGS number, year and mint mark, face value, variant, region, grade, holder type, the population within the same grade, the number of higher-rated specimens (“Pop Higher”), and, if available, the value in the PCGS Price Guide. For some coins, images, previous auction appearances, and entries in the PCGS Set Registry are also included.
Pay attention to the additional designation in the Grade field. For example, PCGS displays PR69DCAM there. If the label shows Deep Cameo but DCAM is missing from the result, something is amiss. PCGS also points out that occasional data entry errors occur. If the result differs from the label, contact PCGS customer service.
Step by step: Check certificate number at NGC
Via the website: Open ngccoin.com/certlookup or use the “Verify NGC Certification” field on the NGC homepage. Enter the number and select the grade from the drop-down menu.
- For coins with a grade from 1 to 70, select the number. For a Krugerrand in NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo, that would be 70.
- For coins with detail grade, select “NGC Details”.
- For coins from NGC Ancients, select “NGC Ancients”.
Then click “Go”. NGC requires this grade to prevent anyone from systematically searching the database for submissions.
About the app: The NGC app can scan the barcode on the label.
About the security hologram: Some of the newer NGC holders feature a hologram on the reverse with its own QR code and an eight-digit security code. The QR code leads directly to that specific coin in the NGC database. There, you can compare it with the high-resolution images from the time of encapsulation. NGC initially used the hologram only for select large submissions in Sarasota. Therefore, a genuine new holder without this hologram is not automatically suspicious.
Images: Since October 2008, NGC has photographed almost all coins after encapsulation, unless they are from a bulk submission. Since June 2023, the images from the PhotoVision Plus add-on service have also appeared in the query, provided the submitter has ordered it. These show the coin before encapsulation and are located below the images in the holder.
Warning messages in the result: If NGC is aware of a problem with a coin or its holder, one of these messages will appear:
| Notice | Meaning according to NGC |
|---|---|
| CONTACT NGC CUSTOMER SERVICE | For further information, contact NGC customer service. |
| POSSIBLE COUNTERFEIT HOLDER | NGC has seen a counterfeit or tampered holder with this certificate number. |
| REPORTED STOLEN | NGC has received a credible report that this coin was stolen from its owner. |
| MECHANICAL ERROR | The label contains a typo; the coin should be returned to NGC for correction. |
| DELETED | According to NGC, this notation usually means that the coin has been removed from the NGC Census. One possible reason is that the label of a coin removed from its holder was returned to NGC. NGC acknowledges that entries are occasionally deleted in error. |
If the word DELETED appears on a slab you are considering purchasing, you should postpone the purchase until NGC has resolved the issue. If you already own the coin, NGC requests that you send photos of the obverse and reverse of the holder to [email protected] .
A minor practical detail: NGC may temporarily block searches if a very high number of queries are made in a short period of time. NGC justifies this limitation with the protection of the database.
CAC sticker: a separate query
If an NGC or PCGS holder has a CAC sticker, it can also be verified. At cacgrading.com, you enter the NGC or PCGS certificate number to see if the coin has received a CAC sticker. Coins that have been graded by CAC but not affixed with a sticker cannot be checked there.
What a hit proves and what it doesn’t
A valid certificate number confirms the database entry, but not automatically the authenticity of the slab in question. PCGS itself states that the query does not eliminate the risk of counterfeit or altered coins, because counterfeiters can copy genuine serial numbers from public sources. NGC therefore recommends comparing the coin, label, and holder with the images provided.
The crucial step is to compare each field and, where images exist, to compare individual characteristics such as small contact marks or stains. I explain how to recognize manipulated holders and copied labels in the collector’s question “Recognizing fake NGC and PCGS slabs” .
Our opinion: If a seller refuses to provide the certificate number for a high-priced coin, even upon request, that is sufficient reason not to complete the purchase. Without the number, none of the steps above can be carried out.
If the number cannot be found
No match doesn’t necessarily mean there’s something wrong with the coin. The problem could also lie with the input method:
- Correct database? An NGC number does not yield a result in PCGS and vice versa.
- Correct part of the number? In PCGS, only the numbers after the slash belong in the search field.
- Correct grade? At NGC, the selection in the grade field must match the coin.
- Already delivered? NGC can only display coins that have already been shipped. A recently appraised coin that is still with NGC is not yet available for viewing.
If the search is unsuccessful, the NGC or PCGS customer service can help. As a buyer, you should postpone the purchase until the issue is resolved.
Cooper’s tip: save the result
Save the results page with the date as a screenshot or PDF and attach it to the invoice. This way, in case of a later sale or inquiry, you can show what the database displayed at the time of purchase. How to organize such documents is explained in our guide to documenting a coin collection . The role of the certificate number in determining a coin’s provenance is explained in the lesson “Checking Provenance with Cooper .”
First the number, then the pictures, then the decision. 🐾
Professor Cooper ⭐
Frequently asked questions about online verification of certificate numbers
Which numbers do I enter at PCGS?
The seven or eight digits after the slash. The number before it consists of the PCGS catalog number and grade and is not unique.
Do I need to include the hyphen in NGC?
No. NGC does not require the hyphen on either its website or app.
Why does NGC require the grade?
This prevents anyone from systematically searching the database for submissions. For coins with detail grades, select “NGC Details”.
Does every PCGS slab have an NFC chip?
No. PCGS has been equipping newly issued holders with NFC since October 2020. Older, genuine holders do not have a chip, but their serial number can still be checked via the website and app.
Why is NGC not showing any images of my coin?
Images may be missing if the coin was certified before October 2008 or comes from a bulk submission that was not photographed. The ReHolder service allows the coin to be placed in a new holder and photographed.
What does “POSSIBLE COUNTERFEIT HOLDER” mean?
NGC has seen a counterfeit or tampered holder using the same certificate number. In this case, do not purchase the coin until NGC has verified it.
Can I see on CAC if a coin without a sticker has already been verified?
No. The CAC query only shows whether a coin has received a sticker.
Can a genuine certificate number appear on a counterfeit slab?
Yes. Counterfeiters can copy a genuine NGC or PCGS certificate number from another coin. Therefore, a database match alone is not sufficient. Additionally, compare the coin, label, and holder with the data and, if available, with the images provided.
Transparency note
Wasserthal RareCoin.Store (TriaPrima GmbH) deals in certified gold coins and is an Authorized Dealer with PCGS and NGC. The queries described are tools used by grading companies. This article explains their use and does not replace an individual authentication check.
About the author: Larissa Wasserthal
Larissa Wasserthal writes for Wasserthal RareCoin.Store about modern numismatic gold coins, grading, rarity, and collector value. In her Q&A sessions with Cooper, she combines numismatic expertise with clear explanations for collectors.
Who is Cooper?
Cooper is the Labrador from Wasserthal RareCoin.Store and our junior numismatist. In our collector Q&A section on gold coins, he answers questions about grading, rarity, and authenticity. 🐾
Sources
- PCGS: Cert Verification . Official query. The results pages show the fields mentioned, as well as information on data entry errors and counterfeiters who use genuine numbers.
- PCGS: Tips for Using PCGS Certification Verification . Enter the seven- or eight-digit number, click the “Verify” button, and confirm the information shared between the label and the database.
- PCGS: How to Read PCGS Labels . Structure of the number line; the number after the slash is not assigned to any other coin.
- PCGS: PCGS Security . NFC in all holders from October 2020, NFC symbol and its position, compatible smartphones, barcode still usable, QR code no longer on labels in the future.
- PCGS: PCGS Announces Groundbreaking NFC Technology Included in all Holders , October 1, 2020. Introduction of NFC in all holders, previously limited introduction with Gold Shield, free app.
- PCGS: PCGS Cert Verification App , description in the App Store. Scans barcodes and QR codes on compatible holder generations.
- NGC: Verify NGC Certification . Enter number and grade, options “NGC Details” and “NGC Ancients”, hyphen not required, messages for no match and query limits.
- NGC: Help Center: Verify NGC Certification . Reason for the grade query, retrievability only after submission, images since October 2008 except for bulk submissions without photographs, ReHolder service, warnings including DELETED, entries deleted in error.
- NGC: Always Verify Your NGC Coins with the NGC Website or App , June 5, 2019. Barcode scan in the app, warning REPORTED STOLEN.
- NGC: NGC Announces Label Buyback Program , 2015. Deletion of certification records after return of removed labels.
- NGC: NGC PhotoVision Plus Images Now Displayed in Verify NGC Certification Tool , June 12, 2023. Address ngccoin.com/certlookup, PhotoVision Plus images in query.
- NGC: Understanding the NGC Grading Label and its Use of Supplemental Designations , May 1, 2002. Structure of the NGC certificate number from invoice number and line number.
- NGC: NGC Introduces New High-Security Hologram with Unique QR Codes . QR code and eight-digit security code, image comparison, initial use in selected major submissions in Sarasota.
- NGC: NGC Security Center . Recommendation: Compare coin, label, and holder with NGC images.
- CAC: CAC Stickering Frequently Asked Questions . Inquiry via certificate number; coins without stickers cannot be queried.
Content and sources last checked: October 11, 2026