NGC Announces Free Numismatic Triathlon at the 2024 World's Fair of Money

Ready to put your coin grading acumen and knowledge to the test? Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is holding its first Numismatic Triathlon, which will be held at the World's Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois, taking place from August 6 to 10, 2024. The NGC Numismatic Triathlon is an exciting new format for the contests that NGC has held at its booth at major shows in recent years.

The NGC Numismatic Triathlon is open to anyone age 13 and older. Each participant is allotted 15 minutes at the NGC booth to test their skills in authenticating, grading and attributing coins as well as their general numismatic knowledge without any outside assistance. The coins will be a mix of countries, types and grades, and may include coins that are Details-graded, altered or not genuine. Participants will enter their answers on a computer provided by NGC.

All contestants will receive an exclusive “Sample slab,” and the top 5 finishers in each category will receive a winner sample as well. Click images to enlarge.

Participants will be divided into three categories: Adults (age 26 and older), Young Adult Numismatist [YAN] (age 18-25) and Young Numismatist [YN] (age 13-17). Scores for the grading portion will be based on how closely the participants' grades are to NGC’s grades, and prizes will be given for first, second and third place in each category.

For both the Adult and Young Adult categories, first prize is a trip to visit NGC's global headquarters in Sarasota, Florida, and a lunch with a senior member of the NGC grading team, including round-trip airfare from anywhere in the continental US, hotel and $150 for other expenses, as well as a $300 NGC grading credit. Second prize is a $200 NGC grading credit, and third prize is a $100 NGC grading credit. The Young Numismatist category prizes are cash in the amount of $300 for first place, $200 for second place and $100 for third place.

The top five finishers in each of the three categories will receive a special NGC “Sample Slab” with a 2003-S Proof Silver Illinois State Quarter.

All participants will receive a special free “Sample Slab” with a special pedigree only available to participants in the Numismatic Triathlon.

To request a reservation for a time slot in the Numismatic Triathlon, email your name, age (as of the ANA Show) and day(s) you will be at the World's Fair of Money to: contest@ngccoin.com with a subject line of “ANA Contest.” You must be willing to have your name published by NGC if you win.

A maximum of 250 contestants can take part in all three participant categories combined. NGC reserves the right to limit the number further depending on the time constraints. Time slots will be available from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6 and all day Wednesday, August 7 through Friday, August 9. Please arrive five minutes before your scheduled time. Any potential contestant who does not arrive by the start of their time slot will forfeit their time slot. If a time slot is open during the show, it will be made available to walk-up contestants on a first-come, first-served basis.

NGC will notify the winners and hand out prizes on Saturday, August 10 and will post an article on NGCcoin.com shortly after. In the event of a tie, the prize amounts will be split evenly between the winners. (For instance, if two people tie for first place, each will receive $250 in grading credit and no second-place prize will be awarded. As for the trip to NGC Headquarters, the top prize will be awarded based on a coin flip.)

Certified Collectibles Group employees and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate. NGC reserves the right of final interpretation of this promotion, including the right to disqualify any contestant.

To learn more about the NGC Grading Scale, click here.