A private auction tied to a limited CAC Grading label issue has generated a six-figure sum that will be distributed to nonprofit numismatic organizations and other charities.
The fundraiser involved 20,000 certification labels bearing the autograph of CAC Grading founder and CEO John Albanese. Authorized modern bulk submitters competed for the labels, with the winning bid providing the money now earmarked for charitable giving.
Coin clubs and other nonprofit numismatic groups are being invited to apply for a share of the proceeds. Requests must reach Albanese by Oct. 31 and should explain the organization’s purpose for the funding and how a donation would be put to use.
Albanese said he intends to review the requests personally and specifically asked applicants to write them in their own words.
"I invite clubs and numismatic groups to write to me personally explaining why they should receive a donation, and how the money will be used," Albanese said. "Please, don’t use artificial intelligence (AI) software to write your message."
Applications can be emailed to jalbanese@cacgrading.com.
Not all of the money will remain within numismatics. CAC Grading said a portion will also go to food pantries.
Final Albanese-Signed CACG Labels
The Charity Label issue is also intended to mark the end of Albanese-signed CAC Grading inserts.
"This is a ‘one-and-done’ signature signing," Albanese said. "This is the last time my autograph will be on CACG insert labels."
Additional details about the fundraising program are expected to be released later.
Albanese previously founded Certified Acceptance Corporation in 2007 with a group of veteran numismatists. The company became known for placing CAC stickers on qualifying coins already certified by third-party grading services.
CAC Grading (www.CACGrading.com) followed years later as a full grading and encapsulation service, beginning operations in 2023 after being organized with backing from more than 150 members of the numismatic community.
