Inside PCGS: Stephanie Sabin

What an honor to be the first person at PCGS who gets to share their numismatic reflections for this new section of PCGS Insider! As someone who hails from a family of numismatists and collectors, I am proud to say that PCGS is a big part of who I am. My love for the hobby began as a child, spending time at the coin shop where my father worked. I loved looking at all the coins he had for sale and getting to know the stories behind them. This experience of growing up surrounded by pieces of history eventually led me to join PCGS in 2006, where I served as a bulk dealer liaison.

My role with the company evolved and expanded into leading our international operations and launching new business lines. I became president in 2021 just as our company was achieving record growth. We accomplished new goals and reached for the stratosphere through incredible teamwork.

Much of my time is spent with boots on the ground across the country or overseas to attend coin shows, engage with teams at international offices, or meet with partners and clients. Fostering professional relationships and guiding our team toward new horizons is a big part of what I do, and I love it. A key part of my philosophy is leading with the idea that everything is figure-outable. In other words, there is always a way to manage everything – whether it’s handling an unexpected challenge or finding solutions for new opportunities. You take a step back, collaborate, and move forward with a plan.

Running a company like PCGS is multifaceted – it’s as much a vocation as it is a career. I maintain close connections with my passion for numismatics even in my downtime. My coin collection is always growing. Some of my favorite coins are those in the PCGS Sample Slabs we’ve given out at luncheons, grand openings, and other events over my nearly two decades with the company. Each PCGS Sample Slab represents memories from different chapters of my career, people I’ve gotten to work with or met through PCGS, and other wonderful times from years gone by. I also love my 2009 Ultra High Relief $20 gold coin. It was my first big numismatic purchase and captures a modern restrike of the classic Miss Liberty design by sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, first seen on the double eagle gold coin in 1907. I also love any coin that references Shakespeare and would love an Elizabeth I gold sovereign.

Given my love of “The Bard,” you might guess I’m an avid reader. I also like to crochet and enjoy watching and talking about sports – especially my beloved Anaheim Ducks and Cleveland Browns. Cleveland Rocks!.

I am so fortunate to have built a career doing what I love alongside people I have known for most of my life, in a hobby that has shaped me into who I am. Some of my most cherished times are when I get to talk coins with my dad, who still teaches me so much about the hobby I love. That speaks to the larger idea that the value of coins is measured by more than just their intrinsic worth, their art, or their history. Coins help bring people together. I came to realize early on just how big and friendly our numismatic community is; it’s a community where many people not only want to share what they know with others, but where they also want to help others become better collectors and, yes, even become better people. There’s real camaraderie in numismatics, and it’s a place for everyone from all backgrounds and walks of life. It’s a place I feel very lucky to call “home.”