In October 2026, CAC coins, both CAC-graded (CACG) and CAC-approved (Stickered), were favored at auction and performed well in online sales. From the selection of auction sales sampled here, the premium on CAC coins ranged from 32% to 157%, indicating the additional value brought about by CAC’s grading standards. These premiums are indicative of CAC coins consistently bringing higher premiums than their non-CAC counterparts.
The greatest premium came from the 2000-S Sacagawea dollar, auctioned by GreatCollections. For the same coin and same grade, the other grading services couldn’t realize more than $50. The CACG Sacagawea dollar, with the same grade of PR70DCAM, resulted in a final bid of $123. The final bid is more than two times the amount realized for the non-CAC coins. This result along with the others noted here answers “why CACG?”
1914-D Indian $5 – MS63
On Oct. 4, DLRC sold a CACG-graded MS63 1914-D $5 gold coin for $4,000. On Aug. 30, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-graded MS63 1914-D $5 gold coin, without a CAC sticker, for $3,032.70. Market levels for these were about the same on Oct. 4 as they were on Aug. 30. A CACG coin brought 32% more than a PCGS-graded MS63 1914-D $5 gold coin.
1921 Walking Liberty 50c – F12
On Oct. 11, DLRC sold a CACG-graded Fine-12 1921 half dollar for $675. On Sept. 22, Heritage sold a PCGS-graded Fine-12 1921 half dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $475.80. The CACG Fine-12 1921 half thus brought a 42% premium over a PCGS-certified coin of the same type and grade.
1846-O Seated Liberty $1 – VF30
On Oct. 11, DLRC sold a CAC-graded VF30 1846-O Liberty Seated silver dollar for $1,700. On April 19, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-graded VF35 1846-O silver dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $1,028.50. This CAC-graded 1846-O dollar thus brought a 65% premium.
2000-S Sacagawea $1 – PR70DCAM
On Oct. 18, GreatCollections sold a CACG-certified Proof-70 Deep Cameo 2000-S Sacagawea Dollar for $123.20. On May 3, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-certified Proof-70 Deep Cameo 2000-S Sacagawea Dollar for $47.86. On March 1, GreatCollections sold an NGC-certified Proof-70 Deep Cameo 2000-S Sacagawea Dollar for $24.20.
1941-S Walking Liberty 50c – MS65
On Oct. 25, GreatCollections sold a CAC-graded MS65 1941-S half dollar for $577.50. On Oct. 18, GreatCollections sold an NGC-graded MS65 1941-S half dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $408.10. On Oct. 13, Heritage sold a PCGS-graded MS65 1941-S half dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $366. This CAC-graded 1941-S half thus brought 41.5% more than an NGC-graded coin and 58% more than a PCGS-graded coin of the same date and type.
1838 ‘No Drapery’ H10c – MS66
On Oct. 12, Heritage auctioned a CAC-approved, PCGS-graded MS66 1838 ‘Large Stars, No Drapery’ half dime for $2,684. On March 11, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a PCGS graded MS66 1838 ‘Large Stars, No Drapery’ half dime, without a CAC sticker, for $1,920. Market levels for these were about the same in October as they were in March 2026. The 1838 half dime with a CAC sticker brought a 40% premium.
1857-O Seated Liberty H10c – AU50
On Oct. 12, in successive lots, Heritage auctioned a CAC approved, PCGS-graded AU50 1857-O half dime for $414.80 and an NGC-graded AU53 (higher grade!) 1857-O half dime, without a CAC sticker, for $207.40. The 1857-O half dime with a CAC sticker brought 100% more!
1857-O Seated Liberty 50c – XF45
On Oct. 12, Heritage auctioned a CAC-approved XF45 grade 1857-O half dollar for $512.40. On Dec. 21, 2025, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-graded XF45 1857-O half dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $319. On Oct. 21, 2025, Heritage sold a different PCGS-graded XF45 1857-O half dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $336. Market levels for these were probably 4% to 8% higher in October 2026 than they were in October or December 2025. An 1857-O half dollar with a CAC sticker brought a 50+% premium over the prices realized for each of the other two.
1857 Flying Eagle 1c – AU55
On Oct. 4, GreatCollections sold a CAC-approved AU55 grade 1857 Flying Eagle cent for $968. On Sept. 3, Stack’s Bowers sold a PCGS-graded AU58 (higher grade!) 1857 Flying Eagle cent, without a CAC sticker, for $561.20. On Sept. 22, Heritage sold a PCGS-graded MS62 (Mint State!) 1857 Flying Eagle, without a CAC sticker, for $823.50 and a PCGS-graded AU55 1857 FE cent, also without a CAC sticker, for $439.20.
1925-D Buffalo 5c –
On Oct. 26, in successive lots, Stack’s Bowers sold a CAC-approved AU58 grade 1925-D Buffalo nickel for $884.40 and a PCGS-graded MS62 (higher grade!) 1925-D, without a CAC sticker, for $610. The 1925-D nickel with a CAC sticker brought 45% more.
1940 Mercury 10c – PR67
On Oct. 26, Stack’s Bowers sold a CAC-approved Proof-67 1940 dime for $488. On Oct. 20, Heritage sold a PCGS-certified Proof-67 1940 dime, without a CAC sticker, for $355.02. The 1940 dime with a CAC sticker brought 37% more.
1953-S Franklin 50c – MS64
On Oct. 26, Stack’s Bowers sold a CAC-approved MS67 grade 1953-S Franklin half dollar for $793. On Sept. 15, Heritage sold a PCGS-graded MS67 1953-S Franklin half, without a CAC sticker, for $585.60. A 1953-S half dollar with a CAC sticker realized 35% more.
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