Big Changes at PCGS: Free Membership, Stack’s Bowers, and the End of Paper Forms
PCGS now has a free membership tier, is moving to online-only submissions, and has new Stack's Bowers and eBay partnerships. Here's what changed.
If you get coins graded regularly, or you just found a neat coin and wonder whether it’s worth slabbing, there are some big changes happening at the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) that you should know about.
From dropping the paywall on basic submissions to phasing out paper forms, PCGS is modernizing how collectors and dealers send in coins. Here is a breakdown of the new policies, the membership tiers, and the industry partnerships that come with them.
1. The End of Paper Forms: Welcome to the OSC
PCGS is moving to online submissions through its Online Submission Center, which PCGS now calls the “OSC.” Collectors who submit without a paid membership already have to use the OSC, and PCGS’s dealer guide sets a January 1, 2027 cutoff for most paper submission forms.
A few services still use paper for now: bulk, show, restoration, and banknote submissions. The goal is to cut out the slow, manual data entry at intake, which should help turnaround times.
2. The New Free Membership Tier
This is the biggest news for casual collectors. For years, the barrier to entry was the $69 annual fee just to submit a coin directly. PCGS has now added a free tier that lets anyone submit coins without paying for a membership.
There are a few limits:
- Raw coins only: You can only submit uncertified, raw coins. Crossovers (like moving a coin from an NGC holder to PCGS), regrades, and reconsiderations still need a paid membership.
- Limited service levels: Free members can only use the grading service levels PCGS sets aside for the free tier.
- No vouchers or perks: You don’t get grading vouchers, the 10% PCGS store discount, free admission to PCGS events, or the quarterly grading specials.
PCGS Membership Tiers Compared
| Feature | Free ($0/yr) | Silver ($69/yr) | Gold ($149/yr) | Platinum ($249/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct submissions | Raw coins only | Yes, all types | Yes, all types | Yes, all types |
| Banknote submissions | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Grading vouchers | None | None | 4 vouchers | 8 vouchers |
| Quarterly grading specials | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PCGS event admission | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 10% store discount | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Gifts | None | None | None | T-shirt and loupe |
Tiers and perks as listed on PCGS’s Collectors Club page in October 2026. Check pcgs.com before you join, since perks and fees can change.
3. Stack’s Bowers: From the Grading Room Straight to Auction
PCGS has also teamed up with the auction house Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Under their Submission Integration Program, coins submitted at PCGS Trade and Grade shows and Walk-In Wednesday events can go straight from grading to Stack’s Bowers, either to be consigned to auction or for a no-obligation offer to buy.
Because the coins move from PCGS to the auction house directly, there’s no return shipping and re-shipping in between. It’s a quick way for collectors to sell freshly graded coins. Stack’s Bowers also bought the Long Beach Expo coin show from Collectors Universe, the parent company of PCGS, in late 2025.
4. PCGS Now Checks High-Dollar eBay Coins
In August 2026, eBay added coins to its Authenticity Guarantee program, with PCGS doing the checking. When an eligible coin of $500 or more sells on eBay, the seller ships it to PCGS first. PCGS inspects it, makes sure it matches the listing, and seals it with a tamper-evident tag before it goes on to the buyer.
It covers raw U.S. coins and coins already graded by PCGS, NGC, CACG, or ANACS. Bullion, sets, and lots aren’t included, and PCGS isn’t grading the coins, just confirming they’re genuine and as described. There’s no cost to the buyer or the seller. It’s a real boost to buyer confidence on eBay.
Which Membership Makes the Most Sense for You?
The free tier is a great fit for a hobbyist who wants to send in a handful of raw coins once a year. You no longer have to join a club just to get a few coins slabbed.
If you have a larger collection or submit regularly, a Gold or Platinum membership is still the better deal. PCGS’s Regular service runs about $40 a coin, so the 4 vouchers that come with Gold (roughly a $160 value) cover the $149 fee by themselves. If you’re grading valuable coins, the voucher tiers pay for themselves.
New to grading? Our beginner’s guide to the coin grading scale explains what the numbers on a slab mean.
Not sure if your coins are worth grading? That’s what I’m here for. Before you spend money on shipping and grading fees, reach out by phone, text, or email with a few photos. I’ll take a look, give you an honest read on their condition, and help you decide whether sending them to PCGS makes sense.
