Sun Yat-sen Dollar PCGS/NGC Grading in Practice: MS62 vs MS64 vs MS66 Price Difference Comparison Chart | Gu Jin Jian Bao

Sun Yat-sen dollar (Sun Xiaotou) prices can vary drastically between different grades after being graded by PCGS or NGC – an MS62 coin might be 2-3 times cheaper than an MS64, and an MS64 could be 5-10 times cheaper than an MS66. Below is a comparison of actual price differences across various grade ranges, helping you determine if it's worth sending your coin for grading.

I. Introduction to PCGS / NGC Grading Systems

PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service, established 1985) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, established 1987) are two internationally recognized leading coin grading services. They use the Sheldon Scale (1-70 points) to objectively grade silver coins:

• 1-15 points (Poor to Good) – Severe wear, significant loss of surface details
• 20-35 points (VG to VF) – Noticeable circulation wear, but details are still discernible
• 40-58 points (XF to AU) – Light circulation wear, most details clear
• 60-70 points (MS, Mint State) – Uncirculated, further subdivided by quality

The mainstream investment-grade coins are uncirculated coins graded MS60 and above. This article focuses on analyzing the price differences between MS62 and MS66.

II. Sun Yat-sen Dollar Grading Price Difference Comparison Table (2024-2026 Hong Kong Auction Average Prices)

Lower Five-Star Sun Yat-sen Dollar (Mintage approximately 2 million pieces, scarcer version)

PCGS / NGC Grade	Condition Description	2026 Average Transaction Price (HKD)	Multiple compared to MS62
MS62	Uncirculated, light bag marks	$15,500	1.0×
MS63	Uncirculated, minor bag marks	$25,200	1.6×
MS64	Uncirculated, very few flaws	$48,500	3.1×
MS65	Uncirculated, almost perfect	$95,800	6.2×
MS66	Uncirculated, superb condition	$185,000	11.9×
MS67+	Uncirculated, museum quality	$350,000+	22.6×

Upper Six-Star Sun Yat-sen Dollar (Mintage approximately 50 million pieces, mainstream circulation version)

PCGS / NGC Grade	2026 Average Transaction Price (HKD)	Multiple compared to MS62
MS62	$3,800	1.0×
MS63	$5,600	1.5×
MS64	$9,200	2.4×
MS65	$15,500	4.1×
MS66	$28,000	7.4×
MS67+	$55,000+	14.5×

Upper Five-Star Sun Yat-sen Dollar (Extremely rare trial strike pattern coin)

PCGS / NGC Grade	2026 Average Transaction Price (HKD)
XF45 - AU58	$180,000 - 350,000
MS62 - MS63	$450,000 - 750,000
MS64+	$950,000+

III. Why is the price difference so significant with each grade increase?

There are four main reasons:

Reason 1: The surviving quantity of high-grade coins decreases exponentially

After 100 years of circulation and storage, the proportion of silver coins reaching MS65 or higher is extremely low. Taking the Lower Five-Star Sun Yat-sen dollar as an example:

• MS62 grade existing quantity: Approximately 800-1,200 pieces
• MS63 grade existing quantity: Approximately 300-500 pieces
• MS64 grade existing quantity: Approximately 80-150 pieces
• MS65 grade existing quantity: Approximately 25-40 pieces
• MS66 grade existing quantity: Approximately 5-10 pieces

Reason 2: Sought after by top collectors

International top coin collectors (such as Eric Newman in the US, and frequent bidders at China Guardian auctions) typically only pursue top-grade coins of MS64 and above. This group's competitive bidding drives up the market price of high-grade coins.

Reason 3: Strictness of grading agencies

PCGS / NGC are extremely strict when grading MS65+ – any slight bag marks, hairlines, or edge flaws will result in a deduction. Therefore, high grades command extremely high credibility, and the market is willing to pay a premium.

Reason 4: Liquidity premium

High-grade certified coins are frequently seen at international auctions. Every Spink Hong Kong and China Guardian spring and autumn auction features dedicated sales of top-graded Sun Yat-sen dollars, offering much better liquidity than ordinary pieces.

IV. Grading Submission Process Tutorial

Step 1: Self-assessment

Examine the silver coin with a 10x magnifying glass:

• Are there obvious bag marks or scratches on the surface (affecting MS62+ grading)?
• How well is the original luster preserved (affecting MS63+ grading)?
• Are there any flaws on the edges (affecting MS65+ grading)?

If there are any severe defects, it might not grade MS60, so it's advisable not to submit it to save costs.

Step 2: Choose a grading agency

• PCGS: Headquartered in the US, a globally recognized top grading agency, with authorized submission centers in Hong Kong.
• NGC: Headquartered in the US, an international grading authority alongside PCGS, with higher market penetration in Asia.

The grading standards of both agencies are largely consistent, but the Chinese and Hong Kong/Macau markets slightly prefer PCGS. In general, choosing PCGS is sufficient.

Step 3: Grading fees

Basic submission fees in Hong Kong (as of 2026):

• Regular submission (4-8 weeks): HK$300-500/coin
• Expedited submission (2 weeks): HK$800-1,200/coin
• Express submission (1 week): HK$2,000+/coin
• Additional courier fee: Approximately HK$200/batch

Step 4: Packaging and shipping

Use acid-free coin holders + shock-absorbing packing material + standard mailing envelope. It is recommended to use EMS or SF Express International for shipping, with insurance covering the value of the collection.

Step 5: Awaiting results

Regular submissions typically receive a grade within 4-8 weeks. Once graded, PCGS / NGC will encapsulate the silver coin in a plastic holder (commonly known as a slab), noting the grade, variety, and certification number.

V. ROI Analysis of Grading

The cost-effectiveness of grading depends on the coin's variety and expected grade:

Scenario 1: Upper Six-Star Sun Yat-sen Dollar (Common Version)

• Market price ungraded: HK$2,500
• After grading, MS62: HK$3,800 (increase of 52%)
• Grading fee: HK$300-500
• Net added value: HK$800-1,000, average cost-effectiveness

Scenario 2: Lower Five-Star Sun Yat-sen Dollar

• Market price ungraded: HK$5,000
• After grading, MS62: HK$15,500 (increase of 210%)
• Grading fee: HK$300-500
• Net added value: HK$10,000+, extremely high cost-effectiveness

Scenario 3: Suspected Upper Five-Star Sun Yat-sen Dollar (Pattern Coin Grade)

• Market price ungraded: HK$15,000 (market distrust)
• After grading, MS62: HK$450,000+ (increase of 2900%+)
• Grading fee: HK$500-1,000
• Net added value: HK$430,000+, must be submitted for grading

VI. Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Grading

Pitfall 1: Cleaned silver coins

Traces of cleaning on the surface will cause PCGS / NGC to directly assign it as Details (a coin without a numerical grade), reducing its market value by 50-70%. Therefore, never clean family heirloom silver coins.

Pitfall 2: Severe damage

Physical damage such as chipped edges, scratches, or deformation cannot be graded (or will be graded as Details). Inspect the coin yourself before submission to avoid wasting grading fees.

Pitfall 3: Choosing the wrong agency

There are other grading agencies in the market (such as ANACS, ICG), but their market recognition is far lower than PCGS and NGC. Even if the grade is high, the market still relies on PCGS / NGC standards.

VII. How to submit your Sun Yat-sen Dollar for grading?

Gujin Jianbao provides PCGS / NGC Hong Kong grading submission proxy services:

1. WhatsApp 98342057 to schedule a free on-site appraisal.
2. Our specialist will verify the item's condition and estimate the grade.
3. Assistance with packaging and arranging international express shipping.
4. Tracking of grading progress (4-8 weeks).
5. Free return after grading is complete.

Grading fees are charged at PCGS / NGC official rates, Gujin Jianbao does not charge any additional service fees.

Conclusion

The difference in PCGS / NGC grades for the Sun Yat-sen dollar is the most important value variable in silver dollar investment. Even for the Lower Five-Star, an MS62 can be 12 times cheaper than an MS66. Understanding the grading system + mastering the submission process + controlling the grading ROI are key steps for silver dollar collecting to transition from amateur to professional.