ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service) is the oldest coin grading company in the U.S., founded in 1972. It authenticates, grades, and encapsulates coins for collectors using the 1–70 Sheldon scale. ANACS is known for providing a lower-cost alternative to leading services like PCGS and NGC and for its expertise in attributing coin varieties. 

Grading process and standards

• Grading scale: ANACS uses the standard 1–70 Sheldon scale for both uncirculated (Mint State) and circulated coins.
• Authentication: Senior specialists authenticate each coin by confirming its metal, weight, and surface characteristics.
• Multi-grader review: All coins are evaluated by at least two graders, with a quality manager performing a final check to ensure consistency.
• Encapsulation: Certified coins are sealed in a secure, tamper-evident plastic holder, or "slab," which includes a label with the coin's information and grade.
• Problem coins: Unlike some competitors, ANACS accepts coins with issues like cleaning, corrosion, or damage. These coins receive a "details grade" on the label, which reflects the amount of remaining detail, along with a note identifying the specific problem. 

Key services and features

• Variety attribution: ANACS is highly regarded for its deep expertise in identifying and attributing specific coin varieties and errors.
• No membership required: Collectors can submit coins directly to ANACS without paying a membership fee.
• Conservation service: The company offers a conservation service to professionally remove surface contaminants and improve a coin's appearance before it is graded.
• Crossover service: This service allows collectors to submit coins already encapsulated by other grading companies. ANACS will only remove and re-holder the coin if it meets or exceeds the minimum grade specified by the submitter.
• Online verification: A free certificate lookup tool on the ANACS website allows users to verify a coin's grade and variety using its serial number. 

History and reputation

• Established origin: ANACS began as an authentication service for the American Numismatic Association (ANA) in 1972, moving into full grading in 1979.
• Conservative approach: In its early years, ANACS developed a reputation for being a conservative grader.
• Pioneer of encapsulation: In 1989, ANACS began encapsulating coins in plastic holders, moving beyond its previous practice of issuing only photo certificates.
• Resale value: While ANACS-certified coins are respected, they may not command the same premium in the market as those graded by PCGS or NGC. However, its competitive pricing and variety expertise make it a popular option, especially for beginners and specialists. 

*All info is from their website this is for quick reference