COIN GRADING
Coin collectors rely on a third-party grading system which provides independent assessment and certification. Coin ratings allow transaction parties to compare the state of preservation of a specific coin. Coins of the same date and mint mark are valued closely when their state of preservation is the similar. Coins that are bright and new-looking are typically of greater value than the same coin being worn and dull. Coins of a lower grade can still have their own unique appeal. Often collectors will search for these “low-ball” examples rather than the popular high-grade coins.
PARTS OF A COIN USED FOR GRADING
Knowing the parts of a coin will help you understand the complexities of grading.
Modern-Day Coin Grading Scale (PCGS)
#/Label
Grade
Explanation
MS/PR-70
Mint State or Proof 70
Finest quality available; fully struck and lustrous; no visual marks under 5x magnification
MS/PR-69
Mint State or Proof 69
Virtually fully struck; minuscule imperfections when closely inspected; MS/PR-69 coins are U.S. Money Reserve's specialty!
MS/PR-68
Mint State or Proof 68
Slight weakness in the strike; a few tiny imperfections, barely visible
MS/PR-67
Mint State or Proof 67
Very well struck; minor imperfections visible without magnifications
MS/PR-66
Mint State or Proof 66
Well struck; a few marks but not in focal areas
MS/PR-65
Mint State or Proof 65
Above average strike; minor marks, mostly outside of focal areas
MS/PR-64
Mint State or Proof 64
Average or better strike; scattered marks, though none severe
MS/PR-63
Mint State or Proof 63
Average or slightly weak strike; moderate marks
MS/PR-62
Mint State or Proof 62
Average or below average strike; no wear, but numerous marks
MS/PR-61
Mint State or Proof 61
Average or weak strike; no wear, but multiple heavy marks
MS/PR-60
Mint State or Proof 60
No wear; could be poorly struck with many heavy marks
AU-58
About Uncirculated 58
Only slight friction on highest points; virtually full luster
AU-55
About Uncirculated 55
Full detail; light friction on high points; considerable luster
AU-53
About Uncirculated 53
Some loss of luster on high points of design
AU-50
About Uncirculated 50
Trace wear on high points of design; bits of luster may remain
XF-45
Extremely Fine 45
Light wear on high points of design; some luster may be visible in protected areas
XF-40
Extremely Fine 40
All design elements show, but high points worn flat; little to no luster remains
VF-35
Very Fine 35
Light wear over entire coin surface; all major details still visible
VF-30
Very Fine 30
Wear evident over entire surface; intricate design detail beginning to flatten
VF-25
Very Fine 25
Entire surface shows wear; major design features remain clear
VF-20
Very Fine 20
Moderate wear; some loss of detail evident
F-15
Fine 15
Slightly less than half of finer detail worn flat; all lettering is sharp and clear
F-12
Fine 12
About half of detail worn flat; all letter is visible
VG-10
Very Good 10
Considerable wear; most fine details have been flattened; most lettering remains readable
VG-8
Very Good 8
Most central detail worn flat; some inner lettering visible; rims remain full
G-6
Good 6
Rims and peripheral lettering full; design now flat and visible only in outline form
G-4
Good 4
Rims mostly full but may be flat or worn into peripheral lettering in spots
AG-3
About Good 3
Rims worn into tops of lettering; most lettering still readable
FR-2
Fair 2
Entire coin worn flat; traces of peripheral lettering visible
PO-1
Poor 1
Type, date, and mintmark are identifiable
None
Ungradable
Date and mintmark must be detectable to be graded