Frequently Asked Questions

PMG will not grade notes that are counterfeit, are of questionable authenticity or have been altered. Most notes that are issued for reasons other than socioeconomic exchange are not eligible for PMG certification and PMG will not grade checks, stocks or satire and advertisement scrip. In addition, PMG maintains a list of specific note types that are not eligible for PMG certification. Learn more >

Unless requested otherwise by the customer on the submission form, PMG will generally encapsulate notes in the smallest possible holder if doing so allows them to fit in one of PMG’s standard holder sizes. For example, a vertically oriented note will be encapsulated in a horizontally oriented PMG standard holder if it will fit. Notes that require the PMG Oversize Holder or Custom Holder will generally be encapsulated according to the note’s orientation.

If PMG graders believe that a note is likely not genuine but its research is inconclusive, the note will be labeled "Questionable Authenticity" and not encapsulated. In most instances, the full grading fee will be refunded. However, notes without serial numbers, unique serial numbers or identifiable serial numbers, as well as notes with a block number only, will be assessed a $5.00 processing fee. Examples of these notes include, but are not limited to, select Specimens, Proofs, Essays, Fractional Currency, US Remainders and regular issue notes with block numbers only.

For more information, click here.

An Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) note is, in the opinion of PMG graders, completely original. EPQ notes will not have been physically, chemically, or materially processed to give the appearance of a higher grade. Notes exhibiting normal wear-and-tear for their grade are eligible. All notes graded Very Fine 20 and higher will be evaluated for the EPQ designation. Notes must qualify for the EPQ designation to grade Gem Uncirculated 65 and higher.

PMG assigns its trademarked Star () Designation to notes that have exceptional eye appeal for their assigned numeric grade. For a note to be designated with a Star () by PMG, it must exhibit exceptionally strong plate and/or overprint embossing, vibrant ink color, and pristine paper quality exceeding the well-established standards used to determine the Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) Designation.

All US and world notes are automatically evaluated for the distinction of the PMG () Star Designation. Notes that do not qualify for the EPQ Designation will be disqualified from receiving the Star Designation.

Notes graded PMG Gem Uncirculated 70 must also qualify for the PMG Star () and EPQ Designations.

The NET designation indicates a note that has problems that are more severe than can be reflected by the note’s assigned numeric grade. If a note receives the NET designation, the severe problem or problems will be listed. The grade portion of the PMG Guarantee does not apply to Notes given a NET designation by PMG. Notes with the NET designation are guaranteed to be genuine only.

No. Once a note is removed from a PMG holder the PMG Guarantee no longer applies. This is because PMG cannot account for where that note has been, what if anything has been done to it, and for the overall subjective nature of note grading itself.

A pedigree describes the current and/or past ownership of a note. It notates the collector or collectors who have previously owned a particular note. For example, a note from the collection of Drs. Edward and Joanne Dauer may be pedigreed “Drs. Edward and Joanne Dauer” or “Dauer” on the PMG certification label. PMG will pedigree notes to significant collectors or collections if sufficient documentation is provided. Pedigrees can also be used to describe hoards. A submitter may request that their own name or the name of a collection be listed as the pedigree on the PMG certification label, subject to PMG’s approval.

PMG attributes most world paper money according to "Pick" catalog numbers described in the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. These catalogs are continually updated by Krause Publications and, on occasion, some catalog numbers are changed. As a result, some PMG-certified notes are encapsulated with a label that has an outdated Pick catalog number.

Changes to the Pick catalog numbers are completely outside of PMG's control and PMG therefore cannot be responsible for notes that are no longer correctly attributed on the PMG label due to a later Pick numbering change. When attributing notes, PMG will use the most current Pick catalog numbers in the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. For PMG-certified notes that have a now-outdated Pick catalog number, PMG will discount its ReHolder rate to $6 to update the attribution. Similarly, PMG will offer this discounted ReHolder rate of $6 to update the label for notes that were previously encapsulated with a Pick Unlisted attribution and have since been assigned a specific Pick catalog number.

If a piece is paper-thin and denominated like a silver or gold note, then it should be submitted to PMG. The submission may be subject to PMG’s oversize fees as appropriate.

If you believe your PMG-certified note is not genuine or overgraded you should submit it under PMG's free Appearance Review service. The note will be reviewed by PMG and, if PMG agrees that it is not genuine or overgraded, it will offer a remedy as explained in the PMG Guarantee.

If you submit a PMG-certified note under a different service, such as ReHolder or ReGrade, and PMG determines that it is not genuine or overgraded, PMG will transfer the note to its Appearance Review service in lieu of the requested service. The remedies and terms of the PMG Guarantee will then apply.

If you have a PMG-certified note that has a mechanical or clerical error (such as an incorrect year, denomination or other attribution), you should return it to PMG to be corrected free of charge. Simply complete a PMG Submission Form and write "Mechanical Error" instead of selecting a PMG grading tier or service.

If you submit a PMG-certified note for grading or services, such as ReHolder or ReGrade, and PMG determines that it has a mechanical or clerical error, PMG will correct the label free of charge in addition to performing the requested grading or services.

PMG offers a free Appearance Review service in the event that someone believes that a PMG-certified note is overgraded. Notes that are reviewed and downgraded by PMG are covered by the comprehensive PMG Guarantee of grade and authenticity. To read the full PMG Guarantee, click here.

If you believe your PMG-certified note is undergraded, you may submit it to PMG under the “ReGrade” service tier. An applicable grading tier must also be selected.

Gloves make it more difficult to examine a note and increase the likelihood of it being torn or mishandled. It is widely accepted within numismatics that a note should be held with clean, dry hands and without gloves.

Similarly, librarians who handle rare books are generally discouraged from wearing gloves due to the increased likelihood of tearing a page or otherwise damaging a book. The Library of Congress, for example, states that “contrary to widespread belief, gloves are not necessarily recommended to handle rare or valuable books…it is generally preferable to handle your books with clean hands, washed with soap and thoroughly dried, rather than with gloves.” Extensive research on this subject is available online.

PMG is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, and is located within a secure 60,000 square foot purpose-built facility. PMG also has submission offices in London, United Kingdom; Munich, Germany; Hong Kong, China and Shanghai, China as well as Official Submission Centers in the Netherlands, China, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

PMG can be contacted by mail, telephone or email. For a list of PMG submission locations, click here.

PMG members may submit their notes directly to PMG. Join today!

As the official grading service of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), PMG allows ANA members to sign up for a free PMG submission account. For more information, click here.

Many PMG Authorized Dealers also accept submissions from the public. For a list of PMG Authorized Dealers, visit the PMG Dealer Locator.

To access submission forms, simply login, click on the profile symbol (head icon) in the upper right corner of the website and click on "My Submissions." Select the appropriate form for your location and collectible type.

PMG’s grading fees are generally based on a note’s fair market value and the submitter’s desired turnaround time. For a comprehensive list of all PMG grading tiers, service tiers, fees and requirements, click here.

PMG uses the submitter's declared value to insure the note while it is in its care. The note's value also determines the PMG grading tier. Since PMG guarantees the authenticity and grade of notes that it certifies, it charges a higher fee for more valuable notes. For more information, read the Declared Value Policy.

PMG does not value or appraise notes but it does provide a price guide on its website to help collectors find their note's value.
PMG World Paper Money Price Guide

Yes, you may send multiple submissions to PMG in the same box. You may not, however, send submissions to PMG and another independent affiliate (e.g. PMG or NCS) in the same box.

Turnaround times reflect the average length of time that we think it will take to complete a submission received today under a given grading tier or service. Turnaround times for individual submissions can vary based on a variety of factors including whether the submission form was completed properly, the submission was packaged correctly, the collectibles require additional research and other reasons.

We strive to provide the most up-to-date turnaround time estimates on our website. For current turnaround times, please visit PMGnotes.com/Services.

If you have a Walkthrough or Express submission we recommend writing "WK" or "EX," respectively, in bold letters on the outside of the box that you send to PMG. This will help to ensure that these packages are opened first.

PMG accepts submissions from collector members through the mail or at shows only. We cannot accept submissions from collectors at our office. PMG Authorized Dealers may drop off their notes at our office if they make an appointment. To schedule an appointment, contact PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310).

No. PMG does not buy, sell or appraise notes in order to maintain its independence. PMG is focused on providing expert and impartial assessments of authenticity and grade.

To help ensure that your submissions arrive safely at PMG we recommend that you follow these tips:

• Do not tape or staple sleeves.
• Do not bundle and tape notes together.
• Do not tape notes to cardboard.
• Make sure notes are secured in either a box or envelope, so that there is no room for them to move around potentially getting damaged.
• Do not tape submissions to the inside of the box or envelope.
• Please feel free to use bubble wrap or newspaper to protect notes in their mailing container.
• Be sure to label sleeves with the submission/invoice number and line item.

In addition to knowing your notes will arrive in the same condition as when they left your hands, if you follow these recommendations you can be sure that your notes will be graded and returned without any unexpected delays or fees.

PMG headquarters is a secure 60,000 square foot purpose-built facility with two large vaults, a staff of armed guards and more than 150 security cameras. Submissions to PMG are opened under security cameras and each note is immediately assigned a unique identification number that is used to track it throughout every stage of PMG’s grading process. All notes are fully insured while in PMG’s possession and are handled only by trained staff.

When a submission is received by PMG it is opened by trained staff under security cameras. Each note is entered into PMG’s proprietary system and assigned a unique identification numbered with a barcode that is used to track the note throughout the PMG grading process. At this stage, the notes are separated from the submission paperwork so that the PMG graders never know the submitter’s identity, which ensures impartiality.

Notes are then transferred to the PMG grading room, where multiple professional graders carefully examine each note. After grading, notes are encapsulated in PMG’s archival-quality holder designed for long-term preservation and protection.

After encapsulation, notes are returned to the PMG grading room for a final inspection.

Finally, the notes are matched up to the original submission form and brought to PMG’s shipping department. Every note is individually counted and checked against the submission paperwork to make certain that no mistakes occurred. Notes are then securely packaged in a sturdy cardboard box and are now ready to be sent back to the submitter.

Yes! PMG Collector members and PMG Authorized Dealers may login at PMGnotes.com to track the status of their submission. Submitters may also contact PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or call (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310).

The PMG company websites offer a free Submission Tracking resource that enables you to check the status of your submission as it makes its way through the certification process. The Submission Tracking tool is the quickest and easiest way to see that your submission has been received, whether it has been graded and when it is on its way back to you. Grades are available to view online when a submission's status is "Shipped." 

Customer Service representatives do not provide the grades of submissions over the phone.

To access Submission Tracking, simply log in to your account by clicking "Sign In" at the upper right of the PMG website and then clicking on "My Submissions" under your profile symbol.

PMG accepts major credit cards for payment. PMG does not accept checks.

If you are using international shipping to send a submission to our US headquarters, you must designate yourself as the “importer of record,” and you are responsible for all customs duties and fees for your submissions. If we incur any customs duties and fees for your submissions, these costs will be billed to you, plus an administrative fee of $25. To learn more, click here.

PMG accepts payments on an Authorized Dealer account only from the Authorized Dealer. Payments from customers of the Authorized Dealer are not accepted for the Authorized Dealer account.

Once your submission has been delivered to PMG, your order cannot be cancelled or changed. PMG has already started working on your submission to perform your requested services. No refunds can be given after a submission has been delivered.

Please note that turnaround times are only estimates and are not guaranteed. For current services and fees as well as turnaround times, click here.

If you remove your collectible from its PMG holder, you can return the label to PMG so that the collectible is no longer counted in the PMG Registry. This helps to make the PMG Population Report more accurate. Please note that removing a collectible from its PMG holder will void any guarantee provided by the company. If you would like it to be re-encapsulated by PMG, it would need to be submitted for grading as a raw (ungraded) collectible.

PMG returns submissions to collector members through the mail only. We cannot accept pickups from collectors at our office. PMG Authorized Dealers may pick up their notes at our office if they make an appointment. To schedule an appointment, contact PMG Customer Service at service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310).

Generally, the default shipping method used by PMG is FedEx.

Shipments within the United States are insured according to the declared value provided by the submitter on the PMG Submission Form(s), with coverage up to $100,000 per package procured by PMG. See the Domestic FedEx shipping rates.

Shipments to international addresses are insured according to the declared value provided by the submitter on the PMG Submission Form(s), with coverage up to $50,000 per package procured by PMG. See the International FedEx shipping rates.

If you have your own carrier account (with FedEx, UPS or another service), or high-value items that you would like returned by Malca-Amit or Brink's, contact PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310) before submitting in order to make alternate return shipping arrangements. We must have this information on file prior to receiving your submission. Please note that shipments on the submitter’s own account are not insured by PMG.

If you have your own account with UPS or another carrier other than FedEx, please contact PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310) before submitting so that we can place this information on file. We must have this information on file prior to receiving your submission.

If you do not have an account with any carriers, or if this information is not on file with PMG, your notes will be returned by FedEx mail.

Shipments to US addresses are shipped by PMG via FedEx by default and insured up to $100,000 per package procured by PMG. See the Domestic FedEx Registered Mail Shipping / Insurance Fee Matrix.

If you have private insurance, or if you would like to ship with a carrier other than FedEx, please contact PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310) before submitting so that we can place this information on file. We must have this information on file prior to receiving your submission.

In the rare event that a return shipment cannot be located, please contact PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310). To make a claim, FedEx will require your tracking/PRO number and completion of the online claim form. Then follow the rest of the easy 5-step process.

Note: Additional charges may apply for extended or remote service areas, heavier packages, added items, etc. Please contact Customer Service if you are shipping collectibles valued over $100,000 per package to a US address.

Domestic FedEx shipping fees are calculated according to the fee schedule here. Please note that additional charges may apply for extended or remote service areas, heavier packages, added items, return mint packaging, etc.

Shipping costs for international shipments vary based on the destination, weight and, sometimes, value of the package. If your submission will be returned to a non-US address, PMG will charge the international FedEx rate at the time that your submission is received. If this amount does not cover the total cost of return shipping, you will be charged the additional cost at the time that your submission is shipped. You can get a rate by visiting the FedEx website.

Note: If you submit to PMG's Official Submission Centers in Munich or Hong Kong, your submission will be fully insured in transit from the Official Submission Center to PMG headquarters and back to the Official Submission Center. PMG will also handle all customs clearance for such submissions. Grading fees for PMG's Official Submission Centers in Munich and Hong Kong include round-trip shipping, insurance and customs clearance fees.

Centers in Munich and Hong Kong include round-trip shipping, insurance and customs clearance fees.

Domestic USPS Registered Mail shipping fees are calculated according to the fee schedule here. Please note that additional charges may apply for extended or remote service areas, heavier packages, added items, return mint packaging, etc.

Shipping costs for international shipments vary based on the destination, weight and, sometimes, value of the package. If your submission will be returned to a non-US address, PMG will charge the domestic USPS Registered Mail rate at the time that your submission is received. If this amount does not cover the total cost of return shipping, you will be charged the additional cost at the time that your submission is shipped. You can estimate costs by visiting the USPS website.

Note: If you submit to PMG’s Official Submission Centers in Munich or Hong Kong, your submission will be fully insured in transit from the Official Submission Center to PMG headquarters and back to the Official Submission Center. PMG will also handle all customs clearance for such submissions. Grading fees for PMG’s Official Submission Centers in Munich and Hong Kong include round-trip shipping, insurance and customs clearance fees.

Customs declaration forms for return shipments to international addresses must be completed by the submitter. Customs documents can be provided by PMG upon request. Any customs fees or taxes are the responsibility of the submitter.

Note: If you submit to PMG’s Official Submission Centers in Munich or Hong Kong, your submission will be fully insured in transit from the Official Submission Center to PMG headquarters and back to the Official Submission Center. PMG will also handle all customs clearance for such submissions. Grading fees for PMG’s Official Submission Centers in Munich and Hong Kong include round-trip shipping, insurance and customs clearance fees.

The following times are estimates based on PMG’s experiences with these carriers and services.

For shipments to a US address:
FedEx: Overnight, 2 business days or 3 business days (based on selection)
USPS Registered Mail: 5–7 business days
UPS: Overnight, 2 business days or 3 business days (based on selection)

For shipments to international addresses:
Note: Times do not include the customs clearance process, which may vary by country.
FedEx: 3-5 business days
USPS Registered Mail: 7–14 business days
UPS: 3–7 business days

Yes. Submitters will receive an email within a few hours of their submission being shipped by PMG. This email will include shipping details and the carrier’s tracking number. The tracking number can be entered on the carrier’s website for up-to-date tracking information.

No, in most cases you cannot change your shipping address or reroute a submission after it has been shipped back to you. This restriction helps to protect the security of your submissions.

PMG members receive direct submission privileges to PMG and other Certified Collectibles Group member companies. Certain membership levels also offer grading credits and discounts.

Click here to see all of the PMG member benefits and join.

Yes. Your PMG membership entitles you to submit to Paper Money Guaranty (PMG), Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC), Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) and Certified Guaranty Company (CGC).

Yes. This credit expires one year from the day it was issued.

If you joined as an PMG Premium or Elite member, your $150 credit will be posted to your account instantly. It will then be automatically applied to your submissions until the credit is exhausted.

If you have a member credit you must still provide a valid payment method.

No. The credit is only valid for the member to whom it was issued.

Because of the benefits received with your membership, a pro-rated refund is not available. However, if you have signed up for auto-renewal of your membership, and decide within 30 days of auto-renewal that you would like to cancel your membership, you may receive a refund of your membership dues by contacting PMG Customer Service at Service@PMGnotes.com or (+1) 855-GRADE10 (855-472-3310). You may not receive a refund if you have already used a grading credit.

This is done to prevent people from browsing or “crawling” submissions in the PMG Certification Verification database. We understand that this added step can be a little inconvenient, but it provides significantly greater data security.

There are several possible reasons no match was found:

• You entered an invalid certification number. Please double check the certification number and try again.
• You selected the wrong grade. Please double check the grade and try again.
• Your note has not yet been shipped by PMG. Only notes that have been shipped can be searched in PMG Certification Verification.

If you still cannot find your note, contact PMG Customer Service.

• Contact PMG Customer Service — If you see this alert, contact PMG Customer Service. There are a variety of reasons why “Contact PMG Customer Service” may be displayed.
• Possible Counterfeit Holder — If you see this alert, it means that PMG has seen a counterfeit or tampered holder that uses this certification number. Contact PMG Customer Service if you see this alert.
• Mechanical Error — If you see this alert, it means that the label has a mechanical (typographical) error. This note should be returned to PMG so that the label can be corrected. For more information and submission instructions, contact PMG Customer Service.
• Deleted — If you see this alert, it generally means that the note was removed from the PMG Population Report. Notes are occasionally deleted in error, however, so if you see this alert but own the note, please email pictures of the front and back of the holder to service@PMGnotes.com.