In April 2025, coins that were approved by CAC and graded by CAC Grading (CACG) performed very well at auction. These ten examples show how CAC acceptance and CACG grading can result in higher pricing, especially when compared to coins that do not have CAC recognition but have better numeric ratings.
1. 1871 Two-Cent Piece – PCGS PR65RB CAC
A PCGS Proof 65 Red Brown (PR65RB) 1871 Two-Cent Piece with a CAC recording sold for $2,150 at DLRC on April 6.
A PCGS Proof 66 Red Brown 1871 Two-Cent Piece without a CAC sticker had been sold for $1,560 at Stack’s Bowers on April 1.
The CAC-approved Proof 65 brought $590 more than the second coin, despite the latter holding a higher numeric grade. This shows how highly collectors consider CAC’s approval.
2. 1908-O Barber Half Dollar – CACG VF30
On April 6, GreatCollections sold a CACG VF30 1908-O Barber Half Dollar for $214.50.
By comparison, on October 15, 2024, Heritage sold a PCGS XF45 1908-O Barber Half Dollar without CAC for $164.
Even though the PCGS coin had a higher grade, the CACG coin sold for over $50 more, proving that CACG coins can outperform higher-graded non-CAC coins.
3. 1872 Liberty Seated Dollar – CACG XF45
A CACG XF45 1872 Liberty Seated Dollar sold by DLRC on April 6th for $1,275.
A PCGS XF45 1872 Dollar without a CAC sticker sold for under $946 on March 9 at GreatCollections.
Also, on April 8, Stack’s Bowers sold a higher grade PCGS AU50 1872 Dollar without CAC for just $780.
In the market, this shows that CACG XF45 coins can even beat PCGS AU50 coins.
4. 1927-S Buffalo Nickel – CACG AU58+
The CACG AU58+ 1927-S Buffalo Nickel sold by GreatCollections on April 13 brought $1,222.10.
On January 14, 2024, Stack’s Bowers sold a PCGS AU58+ 1927-S Nickel without a CAC sticker for $907.50.
Even a 7.5% price increase from January 2024 to April 2025 would not account for the $314.60 pricing difference. CACG had a significant impact.
5. 1893 Barber Half Dollar – CACG AU53
A CACG AU53 1893 Barber Half Dollar was sold by GreatCollections on April 13 for $585.07.
A PCGS AU53 1893 Half Dollar without CAC was also sold by GreatCollections on November 17, 2024, for $451.
The greater price shows collector confidence in CACG grading because there was no significant market movement between these dates.
6. 1834 Capped Bust Quarter – CAC XF45
Stack’s Bowers sold a CAC-approved XF45 1834 Capped Bust Quarter at auction on April 16 for $552.
A PCGS XF45 1834 Quarter without CAC was also sold by Stack’s Bowers on April 8 for $384.
The CAC-approved sample sold for $168 more than the other, showing the high value of the CAC green bean among collectors, even though both coins were made from the same pair of dies.
7. 1911 Barber Dime – CACG MS66
A CACG MS66 1911 Barber Dime was auctioned by DLRC on April 20 for $1,005.
Heritage sold a PCGS MS66 1911 Dime without CAC for $600 on April 28.
An NGC MS66 1911 Dime without CAC was also sold by Heritage on January 13 for $600.
Even though all three coins were colorful, the CACG coin brought $405 more.
8. 1939-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar – CAC MS67
A CAC-approved MS67 1939-S Walking Liberty Half Dollar sold for $1,560 at Stack’s Bowers on April 23.
They had sold a PCGS MS67 1939-S Half without CAC for $1,020 only a week prior.
Another obvious sign of CAC’s worth in the eyes of collectors is the $540 increase in value of the coin that was approved by CAC.
9. 1884-CC Morgan Dollar – CAC MS65 DMPL
A CAC-approved MS65 Deep Mirror Prooflike (DMPL) 1884-CC Morgan Dollar sold for $1,920 at Stack’s Bowers on April 23.
They got $1,140 for a PCGS MS65 DMPL 1884-CC Morgan Dollar without CAC on February 26.
This $780 discrepancy demonstrates that, even in situations when the grade and DMPL classification are the same, CAC approval is important.
10. 1796 Draped Bust Quarter – CAC AU55
A CAC-approved AU55 1796 Draped Bust Quarter sold for an incredible $144,000 on April 30th at Heritage.
Stack’s Bowers sold an NGC AU58 1796 Quarter without CAC for $78,000 earlier in the month on April 1.
A PCGS AU55 1796 Quarter without CAC was also sold by Heritage on September 12 for $99,000.
The CAC-approved coin sold for the highest price by far, even though all three coins were struck from the same set of B-2 dies.
Final Thoughts
These examples from April 2025 clearly show that coins approved by CAC or graded by CACG consistently bring stronger prices, even when compared to coins with the same or better numerical grades from other top grading services but without CAC recognition. Collectors are willing to pay more for coins they trust, and CAC is building that trust in the market.