US Coin Grades Explained - Page 2 - Coin Community Forum

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Prethen Pillar of the Community United States 3222 Posts	Posted 09/07/2006 9:02 pm Quote: Originally posted by Guido I have a more general question regarding MS70 verses PF70 coins. I know the difference is uncirculated vs. proof, but in terms of value or price, which coin is more expensive or valuable? I am looking at more recent dated coins, such as ASE silver and gold coins. Thanks The answer to your question depends on a LOT of different factors. For one, how many exist in that particular grade (regardless if it's a business strike or Proof)? Which holder is it in? No knowledgable collector will buy a raw coin as a 70. What series is the coin? How popular is the coin/year/series? Etc, etc, etc. If you have questions about a specific coin, hoist it up on one of the other sections/forums on this site. One of us can certainly give you some guidance. Report this Post to the Staff
Bryan1315 Bedrock of the Community United States 14454 Posts	Posted 09/07/2006 10:43 pm Another thing, I know you said you were asking about ASE's but if the coin is a Business strike and has the MS-70 grade it can be worth a whole lot more than a proof-70, but just keep in mind, PCGS has only ever granted the MS-70 to one coin so far (in their 20 years of business) a MS-70 that was a coin that was supposed to go from the mint straight into circulation and that coin will soon be at auction on teletrade, its a 2003 Lincoln Cent and we will just have to wait and see what kind of MoonMoney it brings Report this Post to the Staff
Susanlynn9 Forum Mom United States 5877 Posts	Posted 09/09/2006 4:00 pm Quote: Originally posted by Prethen Susan, I know this sounds picky, but some of the definition terms are a bit off. MS60-62/PF60-62 - Uncirculated or Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)/Proof (Proof 60 is on the verge of Impaired Proof) MS63-64/PF63-64 - Choice Uncirculated/Proof MS65/PF65 - Gem Uncirculated/Proof MS66-69/PF66-69 - Superb Gem Uncirculated/Proof MS70/PF70 - Perfect These definitions changed as of 2006. They are much more lenient now than they used to be. I still grade by the old standards which would make: MS60-62 - Uncirculated MS63-64 - Brilliant Uncirculated MS65-66 - Choice Uncirculated MS67-69 - Choice Gem Uncirculated MS70 - Perfect Remember that grading is subjective. As a result of the changes that have been made, I am considered to undergrade my coins. Report this Post to the Staff
Morgan Fred Rest in Peace United States 2684 Posts	Posted 09/09/2006 7:53 pm Since this topic has been refreshed, here's PCGS stated* grading standards* http://www.pcgs.com/grades.chtml . PO-1 Identifiable date and type FR-2 Mostly worn, though some detail is visible AG-3 Worn rims but most lettering is readable though worn G-4 Slightly worn rims, flat detail, peripheral lettering nearly full G-6 Rims complete with flat detail, peripheral lettering full VG-8 Design worn with slight detail VG-10 Design worn with slight detail, slightly clearer F-12 Some deeply recessed areas with detail, all lettering sharp F-15 Slightly more detail in the recessed areas, all lettering sharp VF-20 Some definition of detail, all lettering full and sharp VF-25 Slightly more definition in the detail and lettering VF-30 Almost complete detail with flat areas VF-35 Detail is complete but worn with high points flat EF-40 Detail is complete with most high points slightly flat EF-45 Detail is complete with some high points flat AU-50 Full detail with friction over most of the surface, slight flatness on high points AU-53 Full detail with friction over 1/2 or more of surface, very slight flatness on high points AU-55 Full detail with friction on less than 1/2 surface, mainly on high points AU-58 Full detail with only slight friction on the high points MS/PR-60 No wear. May have many heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full MS/PR-61 No wear. Multiple heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full MS/PR-62 No wear. Slightly less marks/hairlines, strike may not be full MS/PR-63 Moderate number/size marks/hairlines, strike may not be full MS/PR-64 Few marks/hairlines or a couple of severe ones, strike should be average or above MS/PR-65 Minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike MS/PR-66 Few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, good strike MS/PR-67 Virtually as struck with minor imperfections, very well struck MS/PR-68 Virtually as struck with slight imperfections, slightest weakness of strike allowed MS/PR-69 Virtually as struck with minuscule imperfections, near full strike necessary MS/PR-70 As struck, with full strike *** Heavily qualified: PCGS does not necessarily follow its own standards on certain coins or certain series nor is there necessarily uniformity within a series. This is more true in AU and MS coins than in circulated coins. Report this Post to the Staff
Guido Valued Member United States 390 Posts	Posted 10/08/2006 4:30 pm I'm trying to get a handle on how different people call different grades of coins. I think I need a glossary to make sense of all the different ways to describe a coin. The problem is that for someone who is still learning, it is nearly impossible to figure out exactly what a coin might really be (this does not include looking at pictures of the coin and trying to put a grade to it as I learn). So, here are some of the terms I have seen and would like to know where they fall in the scheme of things: BU - Brilliant Uncirculated (I think this is the same as Mint State? But then you have to decide what MS it would be) AU++ -Almost Uncirculated, but what about the +'s? Uncirculated Excellent It appears that coins like the above are ungraded by a TPG, and so it is up to the individual to learn what to look for and how to grade them. Very confusing stuff! It there any way we can get some pictures posted here that show side by side comparisons between the same coins? And then describe what the grade would be based on the current grading scales? I think this would be great for new collectors such as myself. Report this Post to the Staff
Sinbad Valued Member France 98 Posts	Posted 03/17/2007 05:14 am quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally posted by collect4fun Someday I would like to get a set together that would exhibit the difference in grades when it comes to luster and wear. But until then, I keep Photograde close at hand. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Could someone tell me what software is "Photograde"? or is it a book? Report this Post to the Staff
yechi7 Pillar of the Community United States 717 Posts	Posted 05/10/2007 8:03 pm "Photograde" is a book. Photograde: Official Photographic Grading Guide for United States coins, 19th Edition http://www.amazon.com/Photograde-Of...41514&sr=1-1 Report this Post to the Staff
Nelrak Pillar of the Community United States 974 Posts	Posted 05/11/2007 4:47 pm I use the Photograde book in conjunction with the ANACS Grading book since they both have pictures. Another source I use is the Heritage Auction page at http://www.ha.com. If you click the coins section and then they have a link for past auctions complete with high detailed pictures and selling prices of graded coins from NGC, PCGS, ANACS, and some IGC. Therefore you can make that comparison of those three sources before purchasing or grading your own coins. Report this Post to the Staff
stratocaster Valued Member United Kingdom 240 Posts	Posted 05/31/2007 05:49 am How do you grade a damaged coin? or a rusty one? How about coins with holes? Report this Post to the Staff
LeAnn Valued Member United States 429 Posts	Posted 06/20/2007 12:14 pm Sorry, moved my question to it's own topic. LeAnn Edited by LeAnn 06/21/2007 2:13 pm Report this Post to the Staff
ludeboi121 Valued Member United States 54 Posts	Posted 08/03/2007 12:42 pm wow so much grading methods, I'm trying to learn how to grade all my coins as well. Report this Post to the Staff
bonham3 Valued Member United States 346 Posts	Posted 12/09/2007 10:58 am PCGS states: Gem Uncirculated = MS65-66 (only) Can I assume Gem Unc. is the same as Choice Unc. ? If not, Then that would make Choice Unc. MS67-69 (only) Just a phrase but curious. NGC uses the Gem Unc. term. Thus: Unc. 60,61,62 BU 63,64 Gem Unc. 65,66 Choice Unc. 67,68,69 (or also called Gem Choice) P Unc. 70 and + Then naturally, all of the above terms are MS inclusive. Thank's Report this Post to the Staff
fauxtog New Member United States 29 Posts	Posted 12/13/2007 2:57 pm I was going to ask a question of what makes an MS 70 or PF 70 but I see earlier in the thread that 70's are a bit mythical. I was looking through some of my silver eagles though and I saw in a certain light what looks like a raised pool around the raised letters on the outer circumference of one of them, for lack of a better word almost like a glow around the type. is this normal for a larger uncirculated proof coin struck on silver? I assume that silver being a bit soft opposed to alloys Report this Post to the Staff
SeatedNut Pillar of the Community United States 2797 Posts	Posted 12/17/2007 3:38 pm Bonham, Regarding your question on Unc, Ch Unc, and Gem Unc ... this is my understanding: Gem Unc/BU = MS65-66+ Choice Unc/BU = MS63-64 Unc/BU = MS60-62 Report this Post to the Staff
sgtbob Valued Member United States 58 Posts	Posted 03/12/2008 2:31 pm I'm currently working on a large cent collection and grading info was very good especially determining thr f vs. vf vs xf where I usually collect. Thanks, Sgt Bob Report this Post to the Staff
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