COIN GRADING DESCRIPTION DETAILS

The coin grading scale was developed by William Seldon in the first half of the 1900's. The scale is a coin grading number system from 1 to 70 and called the sheldon grading scale. The scale is divided into two sections. The first section being numbers 1 to 58, these being circulated grades which the coin has been worn down where details have been rubbed away starting with the high points on the coin. The 2nd section being numbers 60 to 70, with these grades being called uncirculated or commonly called mint sate coins. Mint state coins show no visible signs of wear with full details.

Each of the 2 sections of the sheldon grading scale have their own way of determining which number the coin qualifies. If its determined that a coin has any sort of wear it is automatically considered a circulated coin and then the amount of wear the coin has determines what number between 1-58 it is. For mint state coins, since these coins have no wear, it is then a determination of how many marks, nicks, and hairline scratches the coin has.

Below is a table that describes circulated grade numbers based upon how much visible details are needed for a coin to qualify for that number and also for mint state coins how many marks, nicks, and hairline scratches a coin can have to qualify for that number.

CIRCULATED GRADES

# Grade Grade code(s) Description

1 Poor PO Must be able to identify to determine type of coin. Details may be worn and one side may have no details. Can be corroded.

2 Fair FR Some detail of coin shows on both sides.

3 About Good, Almost Good AG Some letters and date visible, overall coin is smooth.

4 Good G, G4 Some areas may not show or be faint, rim is mostly their.

6 Choice Good G+, G6 Rim and edge are all their, lettering and date faint.

8 Very Good VG, VG8 Fine details not showing in hair, leafs, sheild, and arrows. Some lettering is nicely visible.

10 Choice Very Good VG+, VG10 Finer details starting to show in hair, leaves, shield, and arrows. Most lettering nicely visible.

12 Fine F, F12 Outline of design is bold, Lettering and date is showing but may be weak in the finer parts.

15 Choice Fine F+, F15 Recessed areas show detail. Letterig and date sharp and clear.

20 Very Fine VF, VF20 All details, lettering and date are visible, moderate wear on the high points.

25 Very Fine VF25 All details, lettering and date are visible , light to moderate wear on the high points.

30 Choice Very Fine Ch.VF, VF+, VF30 All details, lettering and date are visible. Light wear on the high points.

35 Choice Very Fine Ch. VF, VF+, VF35 All details, lettering and date are visible and sharp. Light wear on the high points. A trace amount of luster is visible.

40 Extremely Fine/Extra Fine Ex. Fine, EF40 Excellent sharpness all areas. Slight wear only on high points with traces of luster possibly showing.

45 Choice Extremely Fine Ch. Ex. Fine, EF45 Slight wear only on highest points. Mint luster is showing in some parts easily visible.

50 About Uncirculated/Almost Uncirculated AU, AU50 Trace amount of wear on only the highest points. Mint luster covers half of coin.

58 Choice About Uncirculated Ch. AU, AU58 The smallest trace of wear on few of the high points. Almost all mint luster is present. Eye appeal is high and coin looks as if Mint State.

UNCIRCULATED / MINT STATE

# Grade Grade code Description^[5]

60 Mint State 60 MS60 Unattractive, dull or washed-out, mint luster typify this coin. There may be many large detracting contact marks (bag nicks), or damage spots, but absolutely no trace of wear. There could be a heavy concentration of hairlines (minute scratches to a coin’s surface), or unattractive large areas of scuff-marks. Rim nicks may be present, and eye appeal is very poor. Copper coins may be dark, dull and spotted.

61 Mint State 61 MS61 Mint luster may be diminished or noticeably impaired, and the surface has clusters of small contact marks throughout. Hairlines could be very noticeable. Scuff-marks may show as unattractive patches on large areas or major features. Small rim nicks, striking or planchet defects may show, and the quality may be noticeably poor. Eye appeal is unattractive. Copper pieces will be generally dull, dark and possibly spotted.

62 Mint State 62 MS62 Impaired or dull luster may be evident. Clusters of small marks may be present throughout with a few large marks or bag nicks in prime focal areas. Hairlines may be very noticeable. Large unattractive scuff-marks might be seen on major features. The strike, rim and planchet quality may be noticeably below average. Overall eye-appeal is generally acceptable. Copper coins will show a diminished color and tone.

63 Mint State 63 MS63 Mint luster may be slightly impaired. Numerous small contact marks, and a few scattered, heavy marks may be seen. Small hairlines are visible without magnification. Several detracting scuff marks or defects may be present throughout the design or in the fields. The general quality is average, but overall, the coin is rather attractive. Copper pieces may be darkened or dull.

64 Mint State 64 MS64 Coin has good, overall average luster and even strike for the type. Several small contact marks in groups, as well as one or two moderately heavy marks may be present. One or two small patches of hairlines may show under low, (3-4x) magnification. Noticeable, light, scuff marks or defects may be seen within the design or in the field. Attractive overall quality with a pleasing eye appeal. Copper coins may be slightly dull.

65 Mint State 65 MS65 Coin shows an attractive high quality of luster and strike for the date and originating mint. A few, small, scattered, contact marks, or two larger marks may be present, and one or two small patches of hairlines may show under (5x+) magnification. Noticeable, light, scuff marks may show on the highest points of the design features. Overall quality is above average and eye appeal is very pleasing. Copper coins have full luster with original or darkened color.

66 Mint State 66 MS66 Coin has above average quality of strike and full original mint luster, with no more than two or three minor, but noticeable, contact marks. A few very light hairlines may show under (6x+) magnification, or there may be one or two light, scuff marks showing on frosted surfaces or in the field. The eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing for the date and originating mint. Copper coins display full original or lightly toned color.

67 Mint State 67 MS67 Coin has a sharp strike with full, original luster, May have three or four very small contact marks and a single, more noticeable, but not detracting mark. On comparable coins, one or two small single hairlines may show under (6x+) magnification, or one or two partially hidden scuff marks or flaws may be present. Eye appeal is exceptional. Copper coins have lustrous original color.

68 Mint State 68 MS68 Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than four, lightly-scattered, contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks show. Copper coins have lustrous original color. Eye appeal is exceptional.

69 Mint State 69 MS69 Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than two small non-detracting contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks are visible. Eye appeal is exceptional.

70 Mint State 70 MS70 The perfect coin, as minted. Has no trace of wear, handling, scratches or contact with other coins from a (5x) magnification. Coins in this grade are almost non-existent in older coins with very few examples known. Copper coins are bright with full original color and luster. Eye appeal is exceptional.

HOME | | REGISTER NOW | LOGIN | HELP | MEMBERSHIP |
ABOUT US | TERMS & CONDITIONS

Powered by WeBid

#	Grade	Grade code(s)	Description
1	Poor	PO	Must be able to identify to determine type of coin. Details may be worn and one side may have no details. Can be corroded.
2	Fair	FR	Some detail of coin shows on both sides.
3	About Good, Almost Good	AG	Some letters and date visible, overall coin is smooth.
4	Good	G, G4	Some areas may not show or be faint, rim is mostly their.
6	Choice Good	G+, G6	Rim and edge are all their, lettering and date faint.
8	Very Good	VG, VG8	Fine details not showing in hair, leafs, sheild, and arrows. Some lettering is nicely visible.
10	Choice Very Good	VG+, VG10	Finer details starting to show in hair, leaves, shield, and arrows. Most lettering nicely visible.
12	Fine	F, F12	Outline of design is bold, Lettering and date is showing but may be weak in the finer parts.
15	Choice Fine	F+, F15	Recessed areas show detail. Letterig and date sharp and clear.
20	Very Fine	VF, VF20	All details, lettering and date are visible, moderate wear on the high points.
25	Very Fine	VF25	All details, lettering and date are visible , light to moderate wear on the high points.
30	Choice Very Fine	Ch.VF, VF+, VF30	All details, lettering and date are visible. Light wear on the high points.
35	Choice Very Fine	Ch. VF, VF+, VF35	All details, lettering and date are visible and sharp. Light wear on the high points. A trace amount of luster is visible.
40	Extremely Fine/Extra Fine	Ex. Fine, EF40	Excellent sharpness all areas. Slight wear only on high points with traces of luster possibly showing.
45	Choice Extremely Fine	Ch. Ex. Fine, EF45	Slight wear only on highest points. Mint luster is showing in some parts easily visible.
50	About Uncirculated/Almost Uncirculated	AU, AU50	Trace amount of wear on only the highest points. Mint luster covers half of coin.
58	Choice About Uncirculated	Ch. AU, AU58	The smallest trace of wear on few of the high points. Almost all mint luster is present. Eye appeal is high and coin looks as if Mint State.

#	Grade	Grade code	Description^[5]
60	Mint State 60	MS60	Unattractive, dull or washed-out, mint luster typify this coin. There may be many large detracting contact marks (bag nicks), or damage spots, but absolutely no trace of wear. There could be a heavy concentration of hairlines (minute scratches to a coin’s surface), or unattractive large areas of scuff-marks. Rim nicks may be present, and eye appeal is very poor. Copper coins may be dark, dull and spotted.
61	Mint State 61	MS61	Mint luster may be diminished or noticeably impaired, and the surface has clusters of small contact marks throughout. Hairlines could be very noticeable. Scuff-marks may show as unattractive patches on large areas or major features. Small rim nicks, striking or planchet defects may show, and the quality may be noticeably poor. Eye appeal is unattractive. Copper pieces will be generally dull, dark and possibly spotted.
62	Mint State 62	MS62	Impaired or dull luster may be evident. Clusters of small marks may be present throughout with a few large marks or bag nicks in prime focal areas. Hairlines may be very noticeable. Large unattractive scuff-marks might be seen on major features. The strike, rim and planchet quality may be noticeably below average. Overall eye-appeal is generally acceptable. Copper coins will show a diminished color and tone.
63	Mint State 63	MS63	Mint luster may be slightly impaired. Numerous small contact marks, and a few scattered, heavy marks may be seen. Small hairlines are visible without magnification. Several detracting scuff marks or defects may be present throughout the design or in the fields. The general quality is average, but overall, the coin is rather attractive. Copper pieces may be darkened or dull.
64	Mint State 64	MS64	Coin has good, overall average luster and even strike for the type. Several small contact marks in groups, as well as one or two moderately heavy marks may be present. One or two small patches of hairlines may show under low, (3-4x) magnification. Noticeable, light, scuff marks or defects may be seen within the design or in the field. Attractive overall quality with a pleasing eye appeal. Copper coins may be slightly dull.
65	Mint State 65	MS65	Coin shows an attractive high quality of luster and strike for the date and originating mint. A few, small, scattered, contact marks, or two larger marks may be present, and one or two small patches of hairlines may show under (5x+) magnification. Noticeable, light, scuff marks may show on the highest points of the design features. Overall quality is above average and eye appeal is very pleasing. Copper coins have full luster with original or darkened color.
66	Mint State 66	MS66	Coin has above average quality of strike and full original mint luster, with no more than two or three minor, but noticeable, contact marks. A few very light hairlines may show under (6x+) magnification, or there may be one or two light, scuff marks showing on frosted surfaces or in the field. The eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing for the date and originating mint. Copper coins display full original or lightly toned color.
67	Mint State 67	MS67	Coin has a sharp strike with full, original luster, May have three or four very small contact marks and a single, more noticeable, but not detracting mark. On comparable coins, one or two small single hairlines may show under (6x+) magnification, or one or two partially hidden scuff marks or flaws may be present. Eye appeal is exceptional. Copper coins have lustrous original color.
68	Mint State 68	MS68	Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than four, lightly-scattered, contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks show. Copper coins have lustrous original color. Eye appeal is exceptional.
69	Mint State 69	MS69	Coin has a sharp strike with full original luster, with no more than two small non-detracting contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks are visible. Eye appeal is exceptional.
70	Mint State 70	MS70	The perfect coin, as minted. Has no trace of wear, handling, scratches or contact with other coins from a (5x) magnification. Coins in this grade are almost non-existent in older coins with very few examples known. Copper coins are bright with full original color and luster. Eye appeal is exceptional.