NGC to Host Intro Grading Class at Baltimore Expo

SARASOTA, Fla. (January 30, 2013) – Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) will conduct its first Introduction to Grading class on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Whitman Baltimore Spring Expo. The class will be offered free to the first 20 paid NGC Collectors Society members who register. Lunch will be provided, and there will be numerous giveaways for the students. Classroom space is provided courtesy of the Whitman Expo.

Rick Montgomery, NGC President

A veteran numismatist and key figure in the field, Montgomery co-authored the NGC Grading Guide for Modern US Coins and has written numerous articles for the American Numismatic Association. Career highlights include grading the great rarities, famed coins such as 1804 Dollars, Ultra High Reliefs, and 1913 Liberty Nickels.

John Schuch, II, NGC Grader

The son of a coin dealer, John grew up around coins. He started working summers for his father at the age of 15, bird-dogging coins for dealers. After high school, he worked full time for his father's business. At 20, John enlisted in the Army and served for four years. After leaving the Army, he decided to pursue numismatics as his career. He joined NGC in 2004 and has worked as a grader for 8 ½ years, rising up the ranks advancing his knowledge and passion for rare coins.

Introduction to Grading will cover a variety of important grading topics including proper lighting, the subtleties of About Uncirculated versus Mint State, counterfeit detection, the differences between strike versus wear and the key attributes commonly considered to constitute positive eye appeal.

The class will be taught by NGC grader John Schuch, II. John joined NGC in 2004 and has worked as a grader for 8 ½ years, advancing his knowledge and passion for rare coins. He has taught numerous grading classes at the American Numismatic Association’s Summer Seminar.

NGC President Rick Montgomery will make a guest appearance and provide an authenticator’s viewpoint. Many industry peers consider Rick to be the coin industry's greatest authenticator.

“NGC is pleased to offer this class to our Collectors Society members,” says NGC Chairman Mark Salzberg. "This will be the first in a series of educational programs we plan to offer to our members to further their numismatic knowledge.”

The class is limited to 20 students and is available to paid NGC Collectors Society members on a first-come basis. Advance registration is required. Click here to register. Enter code: grading316 and press the "Proceed" button. You will receive a confirmation that your registration has been accepted.

If the class is full, email class@ngccoin.com to be added to a Wait List. You will be contacted if space becomes available.