IGA Memberships: How to Choose Between Silver, Gold, and Diamond Based on Your Collection Size
The IGA membership system is specifically designed for the different needs in the world of coin collecting. Whether you've just begun your journey, have a moderate collection you're growing over the years, or run a business in rare coins, there's a membership for you. But the wrong choice means either overpaying or missing benefits that save you thousands of pounds annually.
In this guide, we explain the differences between the three tiers with clear numbers, and help you choose the right one.
An Overview of the Three Tiers
| Membership | Annual Price | Credit Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | 999 EGP | 0 of 4,000 |
| Gold ⭐ | 4,999 EGP | 4,000 of 4,000 |
| Diamond | 12,999 EGP | 8,000 of 4,000 |
⭐ Gold is the most popular membership among active collectors.
What Determines the Right Membership for You?
Three core factors:
First: the number of coins you submit for grading annually. Each membership includes a credit balance usable toward grading fees. The more you submit, the higher the return on a higher tier.
Second: discount rates on different services. Each tier offers different discounts on grading, add-ons, and the shop.
Third: the nature of your activity. Are you a personal collector? A dealer buying and selling? A business handling large volumes?
Tier One: Silver — 999 EGP
Who is it for? Beginners and collectors submitting few coins per year (1 to 5 pieces).
What you get:
- 0% discount on standard grading fees
- 0% discount on add-on services
- 10% discount on accessories and books in the shop
When is it the ideal choice?
- If you want to try the grading system before committing to a higher tier
- If you collect for personal purposes and don't plan to submit more than a few pieces yearly
- If you regularly buy storage and display accessories
Quick math: if you submit two coins a year at 400 EGP grading each, your total cost is 800 EGP + 999 EGP membership fee = 1,799 EGP annually. You saved 10% only on accessories you may or may not buy.
Tier Two: Gold — 4,999 EGP (Most Popular)
Who is it for? Active collectors who submit 8 to 15 pieces annually, or who build methodical collections in specific categories.
What you get:
- A 4,000 EGP credit balance covering most grading fees
- 0% discount on standard grading (because the credit covers it)
- 10% discount on add-on services
- 10% discount on the shop
Why is it the most popular?
Because it strikes the perfect balance: the 4,000 EGP credit practically covers the cost of the membership itself. A collector submitting 10 pieces a year at an average of 400 EGP each consumes 4,000 EGP — meaning they use their entire credit and pay an additional 999 EGP for a full year of discounts.
Practical math:
- 10 pieces × 400 EGP = 4,000 EGP (covered by credit)
- Accessories worth 1,500 EGP × 10% discount = 150 EGP saved
- Add-on services worth 2,000 EGP × 10% discount = 200 EGP saved
- Actual savings: 350 EGP additional + 4,000 credit value = 4,350 EGP against 4,999 EGP
The return becomes very clear as the number of coins grows.
Tier Three: Diamond — 12,999 EGP
Who is it for? Dealers, large investors, owners of major collections, or anyone submitting 20+ pieces annually.
What you get:
- An 8,000 EGP credit balance (double Gold's credit)
- 10% discount on standard grading (even after exhausting the credit)
- 20% discount on add-on services
- 15% discount on the shop
Why might it be worth it?
The real Diamond advantage isn't just the credit — it's the continuing discounts after the credit is exhausted. A dealer submitting 50 pieces annually pays grading fees exceeding 20,000 EGP. A 10% discount on these fees alone saves 2,000 EGP, on top of the 8,000 EGP credit savings.
Math for a mid-sized dealer:
- 50 pieces × 400 EGP = 20,000 EGP grading fees
- Credit covers the first 8,000 EGP (= 20 pieces)
- Remaining 12,000 EGP × 10% discount = 1,200 EGP saved
- Add-on services worth 5,000 EGP × 20% = 1,000 EGP saved
- Accessories worth 3,000 EGP × 15% = 450 EGP saved
- Total: 8,000 (credit) + 1,200 + 1,000 + 450 = 10,650 EGP against 12,999 EGP
And with every additional coin above that, the savings grow.
Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Silver | Gold | Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual price | 999 | 4,999 | 12,999 |
| Credit balance | 0 | 4,000 | 8,000 |
| Grading discount | 0% | 0% | 10% |
| Add-on discount | 0% | 10% | 20% |
| Shop discount | 10% | 10% | 15% |
| Suited for | 1–5 pieces/yr | 8–15 pieces/yr | 20+ pieces/yr |
Smart Selection Tips
Tip 1: don't buy a membership higher than you need. The credit balance doesn't roll over to the next year. If you submit only 5 pieces, Silver is enough.
Tip 2: calculate your real annual need before subscribing. Make a list of piece count, expected cost, and add-on services you plan to use.
Tip 3: start with a lower tier and upgrade. You can always upgrade, but you can't recover the difference if you chose higher than your need.
Tip 4: if you're starting a coin business, Diamond is the right investment. The 10% grading discount alone justifies the price at high volumes.