In September 2026, CAC-graded (CACG) and CAC-approved (Stickered) coins 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 2% to 322%, indicating the additional value brought about by CAC’s grading standards. These premiums are indicative of CAC coins, whether CACG or Stickered, consistently bringing higher premiums than their non-CAC counterparts.
The featured coin from the month of September is the brilliant, proof 66 cameo gold piece shown below. This unique 1879 Stella, Flowing Hair $4 is truly spectacular. Selling for nearly $300,000, this Stella realized nearly $5k more than the non-CAC coin that had a higher grade. CAC Grading has only graded one finder cameo 1879 $4 Stella (in PR66+CAM). This result along with the others noted here answers “why CACG?”
1879 Stella, Flowing Hair $4 – PR66CAM
On Sept. 2, Heritage auctioned a CACG-certified Proof-66-Cameo 1879 Flowing Hair $4 gold piece for $292,800. On Nov. 11, 2025, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a PCGS-certified Proof-67-Cameo (a whole grade point higher)1879 Flowing Hair $4 gold piece, without a CAC sticker, for $288,000. Usually, a 67-grade rarity is worth significantly more than a 66-grade example of the same rarity. Here, a CACG-certified Proof-66-Cameo $4 gold piece sold for more than a PCGS-certified Proof-67-Cameo example that was struck from the same pair of dies, presumably with the same alloy.
1806 Pointed 6, 8×5 Stars $5 – MS63+
On Sept. 1, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a CACG-graded MS63+ 1806 ‘Pointed 6, 8×5 Stars’ $5 gold coin for $40,260. The next day, on Sept. 2, Heritage auctioned a PCGS-graded MS63+ 1806 ‘Pointed 6, 8×5 Stars’ $5 gold coin, without a CAC sticker, for $35,380.
2024-P Liberty & Britannia – PR70DCAM
On Sept. 6, DLRC sold a CACG-certified Proof 70 Deep Cameo 2024-P Liberty & Britannia silver medal for $160. On Sept. 27, GreatCollections sold an NGC-certified Proof 70 Ultra Cameo 2024-P Liberty & Britannia silver medal for $111.22. On Sept. 13, GreatCollections sold a different NGC-certified Proof 70 Ultra Cameo 2024-P Liberty & Britannia silver medal for $104.61.
1921-D Mercury 10c – VF35
On Sept. 27, DLRC sold a CACG-graded VF35 1921-D dime for $750. On Sept. 1, Heritage sold an NGC-graded VF35 1921-D dime, without a CAC sticker, for $488.
1876 Liberty Seated 25c – MS62
On Sept. 27, DLRC sold a CACG-graded MS62 1876 quarter for $625. On July 28, Heritage sold a PCGS-graded MS62 1876 quarter, without a CAC sticker, for $390.40.
1801 Draped Bust, B-1 B-211, $1 – AU53
On Sept. 1, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a CAC-approved AU53 grade 1801 silver dollar for $20,740. On Nov. 11, 2025, Stack’s Bowers auctioned this exact same coin in the same PCGS holder, though without a CAC sticker, for $10,800, less than eleven months earlier. Yes, market levels for bust dollars increased from November 2025 to September 2026, but any such increase could not possibly account for much of the difference between $10,800 and $20,740. The same coin in the same PCGS holder brought almost twice as much after receiving a CAC sticker of approval.
1910-S Indian $5 – MS64
On Sept. 1, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a CAC-approved MS64 grade 1910-S Indian Head $5 gold coin for $25,620. On July 16, Heritage auctioned a PCGS-graded MS64 1910-S $5 gold coin, without a CAC sticker, for $16,470.
1864 Liberty $2.50 – AU50
On Sept. 2, Heritage auctioned a CAC-approved AU50 grade 1864 $2.5 gold coin for $100,650. The day before, Stack’s Bowers auctioned an NGC-graded AU50 1864 $2.5 gold coin, without a CAC sticker, for $36,600.
1924 Saint Gaudens $20 – MS67
On Sept. 2, in successive lots, Heritage auctioned two PCGS-graded MS67 1924 $20 gold coins. One of the two had a CAC sticker and it realized $47,580. The other, without a sticker, realized $11,285.
1799 Draped Bust $1 – XF45
On Sept. 27, GreatCollections sold a CAC-approved XF45 grade 1799 bust dollar for $8,911.10. On Aug. 9, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-graded AU50 (a grade higher) 1799 bust dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $7,715.40. On July 19, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-graded XF45 1799 bust dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $4,132.70.
1938-D Texas Centennial 50c – MS68
On Sept. 27, GreatCollections sold a CAC-approved MS68 grade 1938-D Texas Centennial commemorative half dollar for $17,875. On Sept. 4, Heritage auctioned a PCGS-graded MS68 1938-D Texas commemorative half, without a CAC sticker, for $8,845, less than half as much.
1900 Lafayette $1 – MS64
On Sept. 27, GreatCollections sold a CAC-approved MS64 grade 1900 Lafayette commemorative silver dollar for $5,060. On July 19, GreatCollections sold a PCGS-graded MS64 1900 Lafayette dollar, without a CAC sticker, for $2,255.
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