What are the grades of US coins?

What are the grades of US coins?

Learn the grades of U.S. Coins

• Good. Coin will have a fully readable date.
• Very Good. Coin will have a fully defined rim and full legends with all the lettering and numerals distinct.
• Fine. Moderate wear will be evident.
• Very Fine.
• Extra Fine.
• About Uncirculated.

What is a good coin grade?

Good (G-4, 6): The general design of the coin will be outlined, but there will be very little detail and some parts may be very weak. Non-collectors will often refer to their coins as being in “Good” condition; a coin grading Good is actually a very worn coin.

What does VF 20 mean in coins?

Very Fine (VF-20) A coin in “Very Fine” condition should have a full inscription, and all devices will be only moderately worn. It will usually have the most wear on the high points – hairlines, cheekbones, dress folds, and headgear (if present). Major parts of the design are clear, but minor details are weak.

What does SP 70 mean in coins?

Specimen Proof (SP-70 or PF-70) 39797. 13.14% Silver Clad.

What is MS60 coin grade?

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.

How do you tell the grade of a coin?

Coin grading is the process of determining the grade or condition of a coin, one of the key factors in determining its value. A coin’s grade is generally determined by five criteria: strike, preservation, luster, color, and attractiveness. Several grading systems have been developed.

What is MS 66 in graded coin?

A coin graded MS-66 has above average quality of surface and mint luster, with no more than three or four minor or noticeable contact marks. A few light hairlines may show under magnification, or there may be one or two light scuff marks showing. Eye appeal is above average and very pleasing for the date and mint.

What is a MS 65 grade coin?

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.

What does AU and BU mean in coins?

This changed to the letter grading system beginning with the lowest grade – Basal State (also Poor (PO)), then continuing Fair (Fr), About or Almost Good (AG), Good (G), Very Good (VG), Fine (F), Very Fine (VF), Extremely Fine (EF), Almost or About Uncirculated (AU), Uncirculated (Unc) and up to Brilliant Uncirculated …

What is the grading scale for coins?

The Sheldon Scale is a 70-point scale for grading coins, developed by Dr. William Sheldon in 1949. A slightly modified form of the Sheldon Scale has become the de facto standard for grading U.S. coins today and is used by the major third party grading services when assigning a grade to a coin.

How are US coins graded?

Coins are graded on a 0-70 point scale devised by Dr William Shelby. The details can be found in the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins published by the American Numismatic Association (ANA). Under this method of grading, the higher the point scale accorded a particular coin, the better its quality.

What is US grading scale?

Academic grading in the United States commonly takes on the form of five, six or seven letter grades. Traditionally, the grades are A+, A, A−; B+, B, B−; C+, C, C−; D+, D, D−; F; with A+ being the highest and F being lowest.

What are the Best Coin Grading Services?

PCGS, NGC, ICG, and ANACS are generally recognized as the most reliable grading services in terms of the quality and consistency of their grading. While coin grading is very subjective, consistency in grading is necessary if the investor is to make rational decisions when investing in coins.