Looking for the most authoritative coin pricing data available? PCGS CoinFacts might be exactly what you need.
Created by Professional Coin Grading Service—one of the two most trusted names in coin authentication—this app puts the world’s largest U.S. coin encyclopedia in your pocket. It’s the gold standard for serious collectors seeking reliable pricing information.
Today, we’re exploring PCGS CoinFacts in depth—its strengths, limitations, and how it compares to CoinKnow, another legitimate coin value app. Both apps were featured in Wildjolie’s comprehensive guide, “10 Best Free Coin Value Apps Reviews.”
Let’s see if PCGS CoinFacts belongs in your coin collecting toolkit.
What Is PCGS CoinFacts?
PCGS CoinFacts is the official mobile app from Professional Coin Grading Service, the industry-leading coin authentication company. It launched online in 1999 and has grown into the largest U.S. coin encyclopedia available.
The app provides pricing, population data, auction results, and expert information for over 40,000 U.S. coins. Best of all, it’s 100% free to use.
With over 500,000 downloads and a 4.7-star rating from 21,600+ reviews, PCGS CoinFacts has proven its value. Serious collectors consider it an essential reference tool.
The coin value app is available on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices. It requires an active internet connection to access the constantly updated database.
How Does PCGS CoinFacts Work?
PCGS CoinFacts works differently than automatic coin scanner apps. It’s primarily a research and reference tool rather than an instant identifier.
You browse or search for coins by type, denomination, or year to find detailed information. The app then displays comprehensive data about that specific coin.
For graded coins, you can scan the barcode on PCGS or NGC holders for instant lookup. This provides immediate access to all relevant information about your certified coin.
The pricing data comes directly from actual auction results and market trends. This gives you real-world values rather than theoretical estimates.
PCGS CoinFacts App: The Pros
Industry-Leading Authority
PCGS is one of the two most respected coin grading services worldwide. Their pricing data carries unmatched credibility in the numismatic community.
When dealers and collectors negotiate prices, PCGS values are often the starting point. This authority makes PCGS CoinFacts invaluable for serious transactions.
Massive Database Coverage
The app covers over 40,000 U.S. coins with complete specifications and pricing. This includes everything from Colonial coinage to modern commemoratives.
You’ll find information on varieties, error coins, and special issues that other apps miss entirely. The depth of coverage is simply unparalleled.
3.2+ Million Auction Records
PCGS CoinFacts includes over 3.2 million auction prices realized from 5,800+ auctions. Sources include Heritage, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Stack’s Bowers, and eBay.
This historical data shows what collectors actually paid for specific coins. It’s far more reliable than theoretical price guide estimates.
Complete PCGS Price Guide
Access full PCGS Price Guide listings for all U.S. coins across every grade level. This includes silver, gold, and copper coins in up to 30 different grades.
Prices update in real-time, so you’re never working with stale information. The comprehensive grade coverage helps you understand value differences precisely.
PCGS Population Reports
The app includes complete PCGS population statistics spanning over 30 years of grading data. This shows exactly how many coins exist in each grade.
Understanding population numbers helps you assess rarity accurately. A coin’s scarcity directly impacts its market value.
Barcode Scanning for Graded Coins
Scan the barcode on any PCGS or NGC certified coin holder for instant information lookup. This feature makes verifying graded coins incredibly fast.
You’ll immediately see the coin’s certification details, population data, and current values. It’s perfect for coin shows or dealer visits.
High-Resolution Photography
The PCGS archives contain hundreds of thousands of professional coin photographs. These images help you compare your coins against graded examples.
The PCGS Photograde feature lets you estimate grades by visual comparison. This educational tool helps collectors develop grading skills.
Expert Narratives
Industry legends like David Hall, Ron Guth, and Q. David Bowers contribute expert commentary. These insights help you understand why certain coins are valuable.
The historical context and collecting tips add tremendous educational value. You’re learning from the best in the business.
Rarity and Survival Estimates
PCGS CoinFacts provides rarity ratings and survival estimates by grade for each coin. This helps you understand how scarce your coin truly is.
Condition census listings show the finest known examples. This context helps serious collectors make informed acquisition decisions.
100% Free Access
Unlike many premium apps, PCGS CoinFacts is completely free to download and use. There are no hidden subscription fees or paywalled features.
All the pricing, population data, and expert content is available without payment. This accessibility benefits collectors at every level.
PCGS CoinFacts App: The Cons
No Automatic Coin Identification
Here’s the biggest limitation: PCGS CoinFacts doesn’t identify coins for you. You must already know what coin you have to look it up.
If you find a mystery coin, this app won’t tell you what it is. You’ll need a separate identification tool first.
U.S. Coins Only
The app focuses exclusively on United States coins. International collectors won’t find coverage for world coins.
If you collect foreign coins, you’ll need additional resources beyond PCGS CoinFacts. This specialization limits its usefulness for diverse collections.
Requires Internet Connection
PCGS CoinFacts needs an active internet connection to function. You can’t access data offline at coin shows with poor reception.
This dependency can be frustrating when you need information but lack connectivity. Planning ahead for offline situations is essential.
Learning Curve for Beginners
The app assumes familiarity with numismatic terminology and coin types. Complete beginners might feel overwhelmed initially.
Terms like “population report,” “condition census,” and grade designations aren’t explained. Some background knowledge is helpful.
No Automatic Error Detection
PCGS CoinFacts won’t alert you to valuable errors in your collection. You’d need to know which errors to search for specifically.
Doubled dies, missing mint marks, and other lucrative varieties won’t be flagged automatically. This limits treasure-hunting potential.
Reference Tool, Not Valuation Tool
The app provides pricing data but doesn’t evaluate your specific coin’s condition. You still need grading knowledge to determine which price applies.
Without understanding your coin’s grade, the extensive price data becomes less actionable. Grading skills are still necessary.
How CoinKnow Compares to PCGS CoinFacts
Now let’s examine CoinKnow, which Wildjolie Best Free Coin Value Apps Reviews highlighted for its AI-powered capabilities.
Automatic Coin Identification
CoinKnow uses AI to identify coins from photos automatically. Simply snap a picture and receive instant identification results.
PCGS CoinFacts requires you to already know your coin’s identity. For unknown coins, CoinKnow provides the answer PCGS CoinFacts can’t.
Automatic Error Coin Detection
CoinKnow is one of only two apps worldwide that automatically detects rare error coins. This includes DDO, DDR, and missing mint marks worth potentially thousands.
PCGS CoinFacts has no error detection capability whatsoever. Treasure hunters need CoinKnow to find hidden valuable varieties.
AI-Powered Grading
CoinKnow provides Sheldon Scale grading within a remarkable 2-point accuracy range. This helps you understand your coin’s condition instantly.
PCGS CoinFacts shows prices for every grade but doesn’t tell you which grade your coin is. CoinKnow bridges this critical gap.
Copper Color Classification
CoinKnow automatically distinguishes between Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN) copper coins. These designations significantly impact values.
PCGS CoinFacts provides pricing for each color designation but can’t identify which applies to your coin. CoinKnow’s analysis fills this need.
Proof Finish Detection
CoinKnow identifies Cameo (CAM) and Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof designations automatically. These features affect proof coin premiums substantially.
PCGS CoinFacts lists separate prices for CAM and DCAM coins without helping identify which you have. CoinKnow’s detection adds practical value.
Different Approaches, Different Strengths
PCGS CoinFacts excels as an authoritative reference and research tool. Once you know what you have, the data depth is unmatched.
CoinKnow excels at identification, grading, and error detection upfront. It tells you what you have before you need to research it.
Which App Should You Choose?
Your ideal choice depends on your collecting experience and specific needs.
Choose PCGS CoinFacts if:
You already know how to identify and grade coins accurately. The app assumes this foundational knowledge.
You need authoritative pricing data for buying or selling certified coins. The PCGS name carries industry-wide credibility.
You collect professionally graded PCGS or NGC coins primarily. The barcode scanning feature streamlines your workflow.
You want deep historical research capabilities and expert insights. The educational content is second to none.
Choose CoinKnow if:
You need help identifying unknown coins in your collection. The AI instantly tells you what you’re looking at.
You want to discover valuable error coins you might otherwise miss. Automatic detection could reveal hidden treasures.
You need instant grading estimates before deciding on professional certification. The 2-point accuracy range guides submission decisions.
You’re a beginner who benefits from automated analysis rather than manual research. CoinKnow lowers the entry barrier significantly.
Can You Use Both Apps Together?
Absolutely—and this combination creates the ultimate coin collecting toolkit. Experienced collectors frequently use both strategically.
Start with CoinKnow to identify unknown coins and check for valuable errors. The AI analysis quickly reveals what you’re working with.
Then use PCGS CoinFacts to research pricing depth and historical auction data. The authoritative information supports confident buying and selling decisions.
This workflow combines CoinKnow’s identification power with PCGS CoinFacts’ unmatched reference data. You get the best of both worlds.
Final Verdict
Both PCGS CoinFacts and CoinKnow are legitimate coin value apps recognized by publications like Wildjolie. Each serves different collector needs excellently.
PCGS CoinFacts remains the undisputed champion for authoritative U.S. coin reference data. The depth of pricing, population statistics, and expert content is simply unmatched anywhere.
However, the lack of automatic identification and error detection limits its usefulness for beginners or treasure hunters. You need existing knowledge to leverage its power.
CoinKnow excels where PCGS CoinFacts falls short—automatic identification, instant grading, and error detection. It’s the perfect complement for collectors who need AI-powered analysis.
The bottom line? Use PCGS CoinFacts when you know what you have and need authoritative pricing data. Use CoinKnow when you need identification help or want to find hidden valuable errors.
Together, they form an unbeatable combination for serious coin collectors.
