Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) congratulates five members of the NGC grading team who have been named among the “World’s Greatest Coin Graders” by COINage Magazine.
For decades, NGC graders have been at the forefront of numismatics, combining precision and expertise to evaluate some of the most extraordinary coins in history. Their authentication and grading skills not only add safety and value to the numismatic marketplace but also preserve the stories and heritage behind each piece.
The NGC Graders recognized by COINage Magazine were:
Rick Montgomery, President and Finalizer
Many industry peers consider Rick Montgomery to be the coin industry's greatest Authenticator. A veteran numismatist and key figure in the field, he co-authored the “NGC Grading Guide for Modern US Coins,” and he has written numerous articles for the American Numismatic Association. He received the PMG’s Art Kagin Ambassador Award in 2014.
Ben Wengel, Senior Vice President of World Coin Grading
Ben Wengel has firmly established himself as one of the industry’s foremost authorities on world coins. In 2013, he was the lead instructor of “Advanced Study of World Issues” at the ANA Summer Seminar, and he has led numerous on-site grading events around the world, where he often gives presentations on authentication and grading. He has also written extensively on counterfeit detection for NGC.
Scott Schechter, Chief Numismatist and Finalizer
Scott Schechter joined NGC in 2005, where he is now Chief Numismatist and Grading Finalizer. Scott has lectured for the Professional Numismatists Guild and spoken about coin certification at many conventions in the US and abroad, including the Beijing International Coin Expo and the World Money Fair. He is a co-author of “100 Greatest US Modern Coins.”
David Camire, NCS President and NGC Finalizer
David Camire is considered an authority on modern minting technology and production, specializing in mint errors and Chinese coins. He has visited many mints, both domestically and internationally, and his knowledge of the minting process is helpful in distinguishing mint defects from damaged coins and establishing a coin’s authenticity and grade. Dave co-authored the “100 Greatest US Error Coins.”
David Vagi, NGC Ancients Director and Finalizer
A lifelong numismatist, David Vagi has been studying ancient Greek and Roman coins since 1985. He entered the field as a staff writer for Coin World and later worked as a numismatist for the auction houses Christie's, Superior Stamp and Coin, Spink America and R.M. Smythe. He is a life member and Fellow of the ANS, and a life member of the ANA, for which he has taught more than 15 courses on ancient coinage.
The expertise of these graders extends beyond technical proficiency; their passion for coins and their histories drives them to continually refine their craft and contribute to the broader understanding of numismatics.
NGC is a leading third-party authentication, grading and encapsulation service for coins, tokens and medals with more than 60 million collectibles certified since 1987. NGC-certified coins are backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee of authenticity and grade, which gives buyers and sellers greater confidence.