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 Replies: 13 / Views: 1,353 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
844 Posts |
Hi all!  I am wanting to start placing grades on all my coins. I'm not that familiar with grading. I can look at the definitions and all, but have questions on the scale and how it works.  Does the grading have in-between grades? Such as like MS-70 (Perfect Uncirculated), MS-69, MS-68, MS-67, MS-66, then to MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated)? I've seen people use words like "High AU", is this part of what I'm talking about here? Thanks for any help on this! If you have a suggested Web site I can read up on, or a link to a previous forum topic regarding this, please pass it along to me!  |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
A high AU would be a 55 to a 59. A 60 would be a low end mint state. The scale goes from 1 to 70. A pro can tell you more. John1  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19966 Posts |
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1081 Posts |
The scale goes from 1-70, but the actual grades used are:
About Good 3
Good4
Good 6
Very good 8
Very good 10
Fine 12
Fine 15
Very Fine 20, 25, 30, 35
Extra Fine 40, 45
About Uncirculated 50, 53, 55, 58
Mint State 60-70
So, therefore, you wouldn't say a coin grades VG 9, that would be considered a VG8 coin with perhaps a premium for appearance. Also note that a coin that does not fully meet the next grade cannot get that grade, it must get the next lower grade.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
844 Posts |
Thank you all for the information. I'm just trying to learn a little more and also get my collection in order.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
Grades PO1 and FR2 are also used at the bottom of the scale. I won't talk about the new "+" grades because they have not yet been incorporated into the official scheme of things.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3283 Posts |
And then there is the little green sticker  |
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Moderator
United States
15485 Posts |
I have no problem at all with the little green sticker ... especially when it is affixed to a $1000+ coin of mine.  To the OP ... May I suggest a few books to help you with your education ... a basic knowledge of the modern grading system is a foundational tool as a collector ... then the ability to grade your own coins comes next. Trust me ... this knowledge is priceless and will save you lots of mistakes as you grow in the hobby. Educate yourself .... " A Guide Book of United States Coins" ( RedBook). Foundation level knowledge. " Grading Coins by Photograph" by Q. David Bowers Read them ... learn ... grow ... enjoy. David |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
844 Posts |
I definitely will Nickelsearcher! I wonder if they're available on Kindle? Anyhoo, great information givin. Except, what is the little green sticker?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
The little green bean is a CAC sticker, aka Certified Acceptance Corp. It is essentially a grade of the TPG, making sure the coin is better than average for the listed grade and has better than average eye appeal. For coins under $1000, it has little meaning as it is really intended for the high end market where a one point bump in grade can equal thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1358 Posts |
There are also split grades, where one side of the coin grades very differently than the other side of the coin..
Such as: EF-40/VF-25.. The obverse (listed first) is EF, and the reverse, listed second, is VF..
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Pillar of the Community
United States
844 Posts |
Really useful information. Thanks! I love learning new things!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
659 Posts |
PO 1
FR 2
AG 3
G 4
G 6
VG 8
VG 10
F 12
F 15
Vf 20
VF 25
VF30
VF 35
XF 40
XF 45
AU 50
AU 53
AU 55
AU 58
MS 60
MS 61
MS 62
MS 63
MS 64
MS 65
MS 66
MS 67
MS 68
MS 69
MS 70
PO=Poor
FR=Fair
AG=About Good
G=Good
VG=Very Good
F=Fine
VF=Very Fine
XF=Extremely Fine
AU=About Uncirculated
MS=Mint State
PR or PF = Proof
Proof designation can be applied to any number grade, as long as the coin fits the description for that type of proof.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
844 Posts |
Excellent information Penny Man. Is there a Description for each? Such as the difference of the VF-20, VF-25, VF-30 etc for all? Maybe a detailed web-site that I can study? Thanks again.
Well, I just found it on my own. I read Susanlynn9's U.S. coin grades. Also excellent information!
Edited by Jaymon74
04/08/2011 10:44 pm
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Replies: 13 / Views: 1,353 |
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Posted 03/26/2011 6:33 pm
