The grade for the obverse and reverse of a coin may differ
slightly. In cases like that the obverse usually dominates in making a
decision. Unless there is something very negative about the reverse, the
obverse grade will become the unified grade.
PO-1
Low grade...is the numerical designation out of 70 that means Poor. A coin of this grade is
basically uncollectible due to its terrible condition, but coins of great
rarity (such as an 1802 half dime) are still of considerable value and in
demand in this grade. In order to "reach" this grade a coin must be
identifiable as to date and type and not be horribly damaged (such as holes).
FR-2
Low grade....is the numerical designation out of 70 that means Fair. A coin
that is well worn. There will be some detail intact, the date will be
discernible (if not fully readable) and there is almost always heavy wear into
the rims and fields.
AG-3
Low grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means About Good. Most of the
lettering on the coin is readable, but there is moderately heavy wear into the
rims. This grade is frequently found on Barber coins where the obverse is fully
(or better) but the reverse is heavily worn.
G-4
Low grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Good. The major details of the
coin will be worn flat. Minor wear into the rims is allowable, but the
peripheral lettering will be nearly full.
G-6
Low grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Good. A higher grade (i.e.,
less worn) than a G-4 coin. The rims will be complete and the peripheral
lettering will be full.
VG-8
Low grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Very Good. A slight amount of
design detail is still showing on the coin, such as a couple of letters in the
word LIBERTY
VG-10
Low grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Very Good. A higher grade
(less worn) than the VG-8 coin. Design detail is still heavily worn but the
major devices and lettering are clear. A Very Good+.
F-12
Mid grade...is the
numerical designation out of 70 that means Fine. The design detail is partially
in evidence. The coin is still heavily worn. If there is any eye appeal in this
grade it comes from the smooth surfaces associated with this grade, as any
distracting marks have usually been worn off through circulation.
F-15
Mid grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Fine. A
Fine+. Most of the letters in LIBERTY are visible, about
35-50% of the wing feathers are visible, or whatever applies to the coin in
question. In other words, the coin is still in highly collectible shape.
VF-20
Mid grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Very Find. Wing feathers show
most of their detail, lettering is readable but sometimes indistinct and some
minor detail is sometimes separate but usually blended.
VF-25
Mid grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Very Fine. In this grade about
60% of the original detail is evident, with the major devices being clear and
distinct.
VF-30
Mid grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Very Fine. A
Very Fine+. The devices are sharp with only a small amount of blending.
Up to 75% of the original detail is evident.
VF-35
Mid grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Very Fine. A
VF/XF. This grade used to be
called VF/EF (or VF/XF) before numerical grading was accepted throughout the
industry. Devices are sharp and clear and up to 80% of the detail is in
evidence.
EF-40
High grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Extremely Fine. Also called XF-40. About 90% of the original detail is still
evident and the devices are sharp and clear.
EF-45
High grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means Extremely Fine. Also called XF-45 or XF+. About 95% of the original detail
is still evident and the devices are sharp and clear.
AU-50
High grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means AboutUncirculated.
Also called Almost Uncirculated-50 This
is the lowest of the four AU grades, with the others being AU53, AU55, and
AU58. Between 50% and 100% of the surfaces will exhibit luster disturbances,
and perhaps the only luster still in evidence will be in the protected areas.
The high points of the coin will have wear that is easily visible to the naked
eye.
AU-53
High grade... is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means AboutUncirculated. Also called Almost Uncirculated-53 There
is obvious wear on the high points with light friction covering 50-75% of the
fields. There are noticeable luster breaks, with most of the luster still
intact in the protected areas.
AU-55
High grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means AboutUncirculated.
Also called Almost Uncirculated-55 or AU+.
There is slight wear on the high points with minor friction in the fields.
Luster can range from almost nonexistent to virtually full, but it will be
missing from the high points. The reverse side will have friction on the high
points. The grade of Choice AU equates to AU55.
AU-58
High grade...is
the numerical designation out of 70 that means AboutUncirculated.
Also called Almost Uncirculated-58 or AU/BU.
There is the slightest wear on the high points, even though it may be necessary
to tilt the coin towards the light source to see the friction. In many cases
the reverse of an AU58 coin will be fully Mint State Less than 10% of the surface area will show luster breaks. The grade of
"BorderlineUnc equates to AU58.
MS-60
Mint State 60 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
This is the lowest of the eleven Mint State grades that range
from MS60 through MS70. An MS60 coin will usually exhibit the maximum number of
marks and/or hairlines. The luster may range from poor to full, but is usually
on the poor side. Eye appeal is usually minimal.
MS-61
Mint State 61 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
This grade meets the minimum requirements of "Mint State"
plus includes some virtues not found on MS60 coins. For instance, there may be
slightly fewer marks than on an MS60 coin, or better luster, or less negative
eye appeal.
MS-62
Mint State 62 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
This grade is nearly in the "choice" or MS63 category, but there is
usually one thing that keeps it from a higher grader. Expect to find excessive
marks or an extremely poor strike or dark and unattractive toning. Some MS62
coins will have clean surfaces and reasonably good eye appeal but exhibit many
hairlines on the fields and devices.
MS-63
Mint State 63 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
The equivalent of "choice" or "Choice BU" from the days
before numerical grading was prevalent. This grade is usually found with clean
fields and distracting marks or hairlines on the devices, or clean devices with
distracting marks or hairlines in the fields. The strike and luster can range
from mediocre to excellent.
MS-64
Mint State 64 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
This grade is also called "Borderline Gem" at times, as well as
"Very Choice BU." There will be no more than a couple of significant
marks or, possibly, a number of light abrasions. The overall visual impact of
the coin will be positive. The strike will range from average to full and the
luster breaks will be minimal.
MS-65
Mint State 65 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
This grade is also called"Gem" Mint State "Gem BU" There
may be scattered marks, hairlines or other defects, but they will be minor. Any
spots on copper coins will also be minor. The coin must be well struck with
positive (average or better) eye appeal. This is a NICE coin!
MS-66
Mint State 66 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
This is a Gem-plus coin, with the eye appeal above average to superb. The
luster is usually far above average, and any toning can not impede the luster
in any significant way. This is an extra-nice coin.
MS-67
Mint State 67 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
A superb-quality coin! Any abrasions are extremely light and do not detract
from the coins beauty in any way. The strike is extremely sharp and full, and
the luster is outstanding. This is a spectacular coin!
MS-68
Mint State 68 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
An almost perfect coin and with only minute imperfections
visible to the naked eye. The strike will be exceptionally sharp and the
luster will glow. This is an incredible coin.
MS-69
Mint State 69 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
Virtually perfect in all departments, including wondrous surfaces, a 99% full
strike (or better), full unbroken booming luster and show-stopping eye appeal.
You may have to study this coin with a 5X glass to find the reason why it
didnt grade MS70.
MS-70
Mint State 70 is the
numerical designation out of 70 that meansUncirculated.
A perfect coin! Even with 5X magnification there are no marks, hairlines or
luster breaks in evidence. The luster is vibrant, the strike is razor-sharp,
and the eye appeal is the ultimate. Note: Minor die polish and light die breaks
are not considered to be defects on circulation strike coins.