Size limits: How small a coin can NGC slab?

[1jester]

I have a coin that is 5 mm in diameter, and I'm sceptical that anyone can slab it. How small of a coin can you slab?

[DWLange]

Since NGC will be certifying California Fractional Gold starting March 1, I'm certain we can holder coins down to about 9-10mm, but 5mm is just too small.

[gmarguli]

I've seen some coins graded by NGC, but not slabbed. They were issued an insert and placed in a sealed flip (possibly sealed by the seller and not NGC). I am not referring to the "pre-grade" flips of early NGC. These had fairly new inserts. They were Russian pattern coins from I believe the 18th century and they are way too big to fit in an NGC slab.

 

Is it possible that NGC would grade this 5mm coin and put it in a sealed flip?

 

For example, with the Russian pattern coins, what kind of grade guarantee would NGC offer with the coins sealed in the flip? Or is the NGC insert with grade just a courtesy since these were extremely rare coins?

[1jester]

I thought so, but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Thanks!

[DWLange]

In reply to Greg's post, NGC will grade oversize coins that are otherwise eligible. Since we cannot seal them in our holder, no grading guarantee would apply. You are correct that such grading is simply a courtesy.

 

I don't see why the same terms wouldn't apply to undersize coins, but it's the submitter's decision whether it's worthwhile.