Verify before you buy

What are you buying?

Official lookup: https://www.ngccoin.com/verify/ (type it yourself)

Any "No" on a Stop item means don't pay until it's resolved.

Stop Did you type the grader's official site yourself (not a link or QR code from the listing)?

Imitation verify sites have been reported. Source

Stop Does the cert lookup match the holder word for word (item, grade, description)?

A mismatch means stop. Source

Stop NGC: is the verify result free of alerts like "Possible Counterfeit Holder" or "Reported Stolen"?

NGC flags known problem certs. Source

Stop Does the coin match the grader's image (or past auction photos) for that cert: marks, toning, strike?

Copied certs on fake NGC/PCGS holders are repeatedly reported. Source

Stop Are the coin's diagnostics right for the date and mint (mintmark position, variety)?

Known counterfeit Morgan reverses are reused across dates. Source

Stop Do barcodes/QR codes resolve only to pcgs.com or ngccoin.com with the exact cert number?

Fakes have pointed to .cn sites or appended "cn". Source

Caution PCGS (newer holders): NFC symbol present and verifies in the official PCGS app?

PCGS's strongest anti-counterfeit feature. Source

Stop Does the card match the grader's images for that cert: centering, print marks, corners?

Every card has fingerprints. Source

Stop Is the case free of cracks, gaps, glue or "frosting" at the edges?

Signs a slab was opened. Source

Stop PSA: against a strong light, can you see through the label, and does the Lighthouse hologram reveal "CLCT" when tilted?

PSA-published security checks. Source

Caution Beckett: does label color fit the grade (Black/Gold/Silver), with four subgrades matching the lookup and correct patent text?

Beckett label rules + reported fake tells. Source

Caution SGC: does the cert format fit the label era and resolve on gosgc.com?

Black = 7 digits; older = XXXXXXX-XXX (reported). Source

Caution CGC: does the card match CGC's own images in the lookup?

CGC images every holdered card it shows in lookup. Source

Caution Do label font, alignment and hologram match genuine holders of the same era?

Common reported tells. Source

Caution Is the price in line with the market (not far below, or a far higher grade than expected)?

Too-good deals are a warning sign. Source

Info Buying from a trusted/authorized dealer or a platform with buyer protection?

PCGS, NGC and PSA all recommend trusted sources. Source

Result: Answer the questions above.

This checklist reduces risk but cannot authenticate anything. When in doubt, contact the grader.