PCGS offers certification for a wide range of U.S. and foreign coins. This process involves grading, authenticating, attributing, and encapsulating these coins in transparent, airtight plastic holders. In addition to these services, PCGS provides specialized label programs, designations like "First Strike," high-quality photography through True View, conservation services, and tiered certification options based on coin values and turnaround times. Coins that have been improperly cleaned, doctored, damaged, or exhibit other impairments would not receive a numerical grade from PCGS. However, upon request, they can still be authenticated and assigned verbal "details" grades.

The PCGS holder, or a Coin slab which is made of clear, inert plastic and is stackable. Anti-counterfeiting measures include a hologram on the back, markings within the holder, and Near Field Communication (NFC) chip embedded in some holders. Printed on the front of the blue paper insert is the coin's type, denomination, grade, attribution, pedigree (if any), serial number, Universal Product Code (UPC), and other pertinent information. First-generation PCGS coin holders are smaller and lack the raised stackable edges of later issues. Their insert was printed on plain white paper. In some of these early holders, the coin will be loose enough to produce noise when the holder is handled, thus their "rattler" nickname.

PCGS was at one point named the official grading service of the Professional Numismatic Guild; during that time, the PNG logo was included on the holder. This design was replaced with a different one when PNG switched their affiliation to NGC.

PCGS keeps a comprehensive record, known as a census, of all the coins they have graded since their establishment. This census provides details about the grades, varieties, and specific designations assigned to each coin issue. For instance, designations like "prooflike" for Morgan dollars or "full bands" for Mercury dimes are included. This report is accessible at no cost and is updated daily on their website. While this information used to be available in a printed version released monthly, that hardcopy version has been discontinued.

Through an analysis of the population reports provided by both PCGS and NGC, estimations of coin rarity have been facilitated. By examining these databases over time, certain coins previously believed to be rare have turned out to be surprisingly common, while others assumed to be common have revealed themselves to be more scarce than initially thought.

Numismatic professionals closely follow these population reports because they understand that the reported numbers can be affected by practices such as multiple submissions of the same coins. This involves removing coins from their holders and resubmitting them in the hope of achieving a higher grade. Consequently, population figures might be artificially inflated. Conversely, there can be instances where population figures appear lower than expected due to the hesitancy to submit less valuable coins for grading, especially when the cost of the service exceeds the coin's value.