NGC Not Encapsulated Reasons Glossary

If a coin cannot be encapsulated by NGC, it is returned raw (not encapsulated) with a label that describes the specific reason why it could not be encapsulated. Below is a complete list of reasons why a coin could not be encapsulated by NGC. 

ACTIVE CORROSION - The surfaces of the coin are actively being degraded by corrosion. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can stop further deterioration and make the coins eligible for NGC Details grading.

ADDED MINTMARK - The mintmark on the coin has been added.

ALTERED DATE - The coin's date has been altered.

ALTERED MINTMARK - The mintmark on the coin has been altered.

ALTERED SURFACE - The coin's surfaces have been extensively manipulated. For example, a Proof coin that has been altered to appear to be a Mint State coin, or vice versa. This alteration can often make authentication impossible.

BAWDY ALTERATION - The legends or devices of a coin or medal have been altered, chased or engraved in a lewd or indecent manner.

BRONZE DISEASE - A term describing a form of corrosion unique to copper or bronze coins that typically affects ancient coins. Bronze disease often makes the coins significantly more fragile, and they are therefore not encapsulated. The grading fee is refunded less a $5 handling fee.

DAMAGED TO RESEMBLE ERROR - The coin has been damaged or altered outside the mint so that it appears to be a mint error.

DETACHED APPLIQUE - Specific to modern coins, where jewels, colorization or other additives applied at the mint dislodge.

DIP RESIDUE - A coloration that results from a coin being chemically cleaned (dipped) to remove toning and not properly rinsed off afterward. This makes the coin have a cloudy or brown, unnatural look. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

ENGRAVED DEVICES – When the design elements have been engraved to add the appearance of lost detail due to wear or to add detail that was never present due to insufficient strike. This is a deceptive practice to make a coin appear to be less circulated.

GLUE RESIDUE - When the surface of a coin contains glue residue. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

GLUE RESIDUE (OBV) - When the surface of a coin's obverse contains glue residue. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

GLUE RESIDUE (REV) - When the surface of a coin's reverse contains glue residue. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

ILLEGIBLE DATE - If the exact date cannot be determined for any reason, then the coin is not eligible for grading.

ILLEGIBLE MINTMARK - If the exact mintmark cannot be identified for any reason, then the coin is not eligible for grading.

IMPAIRED - No longer used.

INELIGIBLE TYPE - A class of coin, medal or token that NGC does not certify, regardless of its condition. The grading fee is refunded less a $5 handling fee.

INSUFFICIENT DETAIL TO IDENTIFY - The coin is so extensively worn or damaged that it cannot be properly described on the NGC certification label. The grading fee is refunded less a $5 handling fee.

LACQUERED - Coins have had a coat of clear lacquer applied in an attempt to prevent tarnishing, a common practice in past decades. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the lacquer and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

LACQUER (OBV) - When the obverse of a coin has a coat of clear lacquer applied in an attempt to prevent tarnishing. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the lacquer and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

LACQUER (REV) - When the reverse of a coin has a coat of clear lacquer applied in an attempt to prevent tarnishing. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the lacquer and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

NO DECISION - When no determination of authenticity can be made, usually due to the state of preservation. The grading fee is refunded less a $5 handling fee.

NOT GENUINE - When the piece is either a souvenir replica or a counterfeit. Circulating counterfeits are contemporary with the coins they imitate and are intended to pass as money at their face value.

NOT SUITABLE FOR CERTIFICATION - Coins that are severely damaged or otherwise impaired. The surface condition of these coins makes it impossible for NGC to render a conclusive opinion about authenticity, Details Grade or both. The grading fee is refunded less a $5 handling fee.

PLATED - A coin that has been coated with a thin layer of metal outside of the mint.

PVC - The presence of PVC on a coin's surface will preclude encapsulation by NGC, as this continues to be an active contaminant and may cause further damage. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the PVC residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

PVC (OBV) - The presence of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on the obverse of a coin's surface. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the PVC residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

PVC (REV) - The presence of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on the reverse of a coin's surface. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the PVC residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

PVC, CLEANED - A coin with PVC on its surface but has been cleaned beneath prior to being subjected to PVC. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the PVC residue and make the coins eligible for NGC Details grading.

PVC DAMAGE - Indicates that a coin has been irreparably harmed by environmental reaction to the chemical plasticizer in plastic coin holders. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used thermoplastic that has many applications. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the PVC residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

QUESTIONABLE AUTHENTICITY - Indicates that there is reason to doubt the genuineness of a submitted coin, though it may be impossible to ascertain definitively. The grading fee is refunded less a $5 handling fee.

REMOVED MINTMARK - A fraudulent attempt to misrepresent the value of the coin by removing its mintmark.

RESIDUE - Surface contaminant that cannot be identified more specifically by NGC’s graders. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

RESIDUE (OBV) - When the obverse of a coin has surface contaminant that cannot be identified more specifically by NGC’s graders. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

RESIDUE (REV) - When the reverse of a coin has surface contaminant that cannot be identified more specifically by NGC’s graders. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC or NGC Details grading.

RESIDUE, CLEANED - A foreign contaminant on a coin's surface that has been cleaned beneath prior to being subjected to the residue. These coins can often benefit from NCS conservation, which can remove the residue and make the coins eligible for NGC Details grading.

UNSTABLE SURFACES - The surfaces of the coin are too fragile for it to be encapsulated.