CAC Grading Modern Coin Delivery Designations

To designate coins submitted for certification within a certain timeframe or at a certain event, CAC Grading offers several unique designations. These labels, which include "First Coin Sold", "Advanced Delivery", "First Delivery", "Show Delivery", and "Last Day of Delivery" are linked with a unique CAC Grading certification label to help gauge the level of interest in a new Modern Coin Mint Delivery.

The criteria for the Modern Coin Delivery designations are outlined below, but determining whether or not a submission qualifies for the requested designation is at the sole discretion of CAC Grading.

First Delivery

We offer the First Delivery designation for specific Modern coins that are received by us or a depository that has been approved by us within 30 days of the first shipment of a new coin issue. The CAC label will have a description of the coin that includes the words "First Delivery".

Cutoff Dates - As mentioned, a coin(s) must typically be received by CAC Grading or a depository approved by us within the first 30 days of the coin's issue date in order to be eligible for the First Delivery designation. A list of First Delivery cutoff dates for Modern 2023 US coins can be found here.

Coin Dates - The coin's delivery date may not be the same as the coin's date itself. For instance, a mint might issue a coin with the date of 2014 in 2015 or a date of 2017 in 2016. The criteria for the First Delivery designations are decided solely by CAC Grading. If we are unable to determine a coin's release date with reasonable certainty, we will not award the First Delivery designation.

Packaging - Coins do not need to be shipped in sealed mint boxes or in their original government packaging, but they must arrive at CAC Grading in Virginia Beach before the deadlines listed here. A distinct stipulation could be necessary for coins that are categorized as part of a certain set that a mint has produced.

Availability - This designation is available, for a fee, to all submitters. 

First Day of Delivery

In order to be eligible for the First Day of Delivery designation, a coin(s) must be acquired within one day of the first day that a mint makes a new coin issue available for purchase. The coin(s) must also be received by CAC Grading ("us") or a depository approved by us within one week of the release date. The submitter must offer sufficient proof of the purchase date for the coins, including purchase receipts, if needed, for CAC Grading to accept the submission. As noted earlier, the criteria for the Modern Coin Delivery designations are outlined here, but determining whether or not a submission qualifies for the requested designation is at the sole discretion of CAC Grading.

Advanced Delivery

In order to be eligible for the Advanced Delivery designation, the coin(s) must be purchased by designated mint customers before the publicly announced first day that a mint makes a new coin issue available for sale. The coin(s) must also be received by CAC Grading ("us") or a depository approved by us within one week of the delivery date to be eligible for the designation. CAC Grading may require the submitter to provide proof of the purchase date that is satisfactory to us. As noted earlier, the criteria for the Modern Coin Delivery designations are outlined here, but determining whether or not a submission qualifies for the requested designation is at the sole discretion of CAC Grading.

Emergency Delivery

In order to be eligible for the Emergency Delivery designation, a coin(s) must be struck by the US Mint in an unexpected or emergency situation. Depending on the specific circumstances, CAC Grading may require specific evidence supporting the request for this designation by a submitter. Below sets forth the emergency situations and related requirements for obtaining the Emergency Delivery designation.

As with the other Modern Coin Designations, determining with or not a submission qualifies for this designation is at the sole discretion of CAC Grading.

2020-(P) Silver Eagle

During the 2020 pandemic, 240,000 American Silver Eagles (ASEs) were struck at the Philadelphia mint between April 8th and 21st while the West Point Mint was shut down for COVID-19 safety precautions. These coins are physically identical to other ASEs produced at other mints but were packaged uniquely to indicate they were part of this short-term program. To be eligible for the Emergency Delivery designation, coins must be submitted in the original mint packaging (unopened monster boxes with appropriate labeling) or as crossovers from other major, third-party certification services with a label indicating the emergency production.