Coin Grading Guide System

May 27, 2011 by Fact Master
Filed under: Random Facts

Probably no other subject has been more hotly debated in American numismatics by collectors, dealers and investors than grading. Since a dealer first charged more for one specimen of a coin than for another of the same type, date and Mint mark simply because the second had less wear or more detail than the other, there has been controversy.

Read about, and view examples of the various coin grades

The grade of a coin (note, medal or token) represents what professional numismatist and researcher Dr. Richard Bagg aptly called its “level of preservation.” The grading controversy arises both from disagreements over the grade of a coin and the enormous differences in price that can arise between two specimens of the same type and date of a U.S. coin, even when the only difference lies in the placement of one or two marks or surface abrasions from contact with other coins, commonly referred to as “contact marks” or “bag marks.”

The grade measures the amount of wear, natural mishaps and other surface degradation a coin has received after leaving the coining press. The more wear and surface marks a coin has received, the less it is worth compared to other specimens of the same coin with less surface degradation.

However, not all coins have received circulation wear since they were struck. These coins are called Uncirculated or Mint State. Rather than being easier to grade because there are no points of wear to determine, Uncirculated coins become much harder to grade.

A non-collector unexposed to the intricacies of grading might be expected to show surprise at this last statement. After all, he might think, it seems logical that a coin that has received less wear is worth more than one that has received more wear. However, if a coin hasn’t received any wear, how can it be different from other unworn specimens of the same coin? Suffice to say, there are graduated levels of Mint State, at least 11 (from Mint State 60 to Mint State 70), determined by such factors as contact marks, luster and — depending on the grading standard being used — the strength of the strike and toning. Therein lies the heart of the controversy.

For decades, the controversy lay mainly in the differences between the dealers grade for a specific coin and that of the collector. However, as the number of Mint State grades began to increase, grading became more complicated and values increased in greater increments between coins of different grades. In response, third-party grading services began operation.

The first third-party grading service, the International Numismatic Society Authentication Bureau, began grading coins in December 1976, several months after it began authenticating coins. It laid the groundwork for third-party grading services, all of which provide an opinion about a coins grade for a fee. INSAB was followed March 1, 1979, when the American Numismatic Association Certification Service began grading coins for a fee.

Another major step in third-party grading services was taken by the Professional Coin Grading Service, a private business founded in February 1986. PCGS is responsible for two firsts. It was the first grading service to encapsulate the coins it graded into hard plastic holders, nicknamed “slabs,” and it was the first grading service to use 11 levels of Mint State, from Mint State 60 to MS-70. It rapidly overtook ANACS, until then the most active of grading services in terms of numbers of coins graded. PCGS also published a grading guide, in 1998, the first of the private grading services to do so.

PCGS was followed by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America. As encapsulated coins became more popular with dealers and collectors, existing services expanded their services. INSAB offered a “slab” service beginning in 1989, as did the ANA with its ANACS Cache.

In 1990, the American Numismatic Association sold ANACS — its grading and certification service — to Amos Press Inc., the owners of Coin World. ANA retained the right to authenticate — but not grade — coins, and now operates under the acronym ANAAB, the American Numismatic Association Authentication Bureau. Amos Press Inc. retained the ANACS name, but it no longer refers to the American Numismatic Association. Amos Press moved ANACS from ANA headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., to Columbus, Ohio.

Over the years, other grading services have surfaced, some specializing in paper money and world coins. One of the newest opened in 1998 – the Independent Coin Grading Company. Not all of the companies have succeeded; several have closed over the years.

Grading: What’s involved?
Dr. Bagg, in Grading Coins: A Collection of Readings that he co-edited in 1977 with James J. Jelinski, described the grade of a coin as its “level of preservation.” It is not entirely accurate to call grading the charting of wear on a coin. The very definition of an Uncirculated coin (also called Mint State) is “a coin which has seen no circulation” (in Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins) and a coin with “no wear” (in New Photograde: A Photographic Grading Guide for United States Coins). However, Uncirculated coins are subject to other forms of surface degradation other than circulation wear.

A coin becomes subject to external factors affecting its surface from the second it leaves the press. The moment a coin is struck, it is pushed from the surface of the anvil die. The coin then falls into a bin of other coins. When the coin hits the previously struck coins lying in the bin, the portion of its surface coming into contact with the other coins will probably be marred. Then, as the coins are bundled into bags or other bins for shipment to commercial counting rooms and banks, the coins will scrape, scratch and bump each other.

Contact marks
The collisions between coins create a variety of surface marks called “contact marks” or “bag marks.” A contact mark may range in severity from a light, minor disruption of the coins surface to a large, heavy scrape. Generally, the bigger and heavier the coin, the larger and more unsightly the contact marks, due to the heavier weight of the coins.

The location of contact marks plays a major role in determining at what level of Mint State a coin may be categorized. For example, marks that are clearly visible in the field of a coin, or on the cheeks, chin or forehead of a Liberty Head device are more distracting than marks of equal severity hidden in curls of Liberty’s hair or the wing feathers of the eagle found on the reverse of many U.S. coins.

The size of contact marks also plays a role in determining the proper Mint State level. Larger marks, of course, are more distracting than smaller marks. Remember, however, that a contact mark 1 millimeter long is less distracting on a
large coin such as a silver dollar (diameter of 38.1 millimeters) than it is on a smaller coin such as a silver half dime (diameter of 15.5 mm).

The number of contact marks also plays a significant role in determining the proper level of a Mint State coin. A coin with numerous contact marks is less appealing to the eye than a coin with one or two distracting marks. The diameter of the coin plays a role here too. A silver dollar with five contact marks scattered across its surfaces may be judged appealing; a much smaller half dime with five contact marks may be judged less appealing, since the half dime has a smaller surface area in which the marks appear.

Luster
Another factor involved in determining the level of Mint State and high-level circulated grades is luster. “Luster is simply the way light reflects from the microscopic flow lines of a coin,” according to ANACS grader-authenticator Michael Fahey in “Basic Grading,” a reprint from his series of articles in the American Numismatic Associations The Numismatist. James L. Halperin, author of the Numismatic Certification Institutes The NCI Grading Guide, defines luster as, “The brightness of a coin which results from the way in which it reflects light.”

Luster is imparted to the surfaces of a coin at the moment of striking. The immense pressures used in the coining process create flow lines, the microscopic lines that trace the paths the metal took while filling the crevices of the die that compose the designs.

A coin with full luster is generally one that has a bright, shiny surface (although toning, to be discussed later, may obscure full luster), caused by the light reflecting off the surface of the coin. If the luster has been disturbed, the light reflects from the surface of the coin differently; the coin may appear dull.

Circulation wear erases the microscopic flow lines that cause the luster. Heavy cleaning or cleaning with a substance that removes a microscopic layer of the surface metal will also damage the flow lines and disrupt or eliminate the luster of a coin.

A Mint State coin cannot be lackluster. At best, an Uncirculated coin without full luster can be no higher than Mint State 63 under the American Numismatic Association grading standards. High-level circulated coins may show small patches of luster in protected areas.

Wear vs. friction
Once a coin enters the channels of commerce, it begins to receive wear. An individual reaches into his pocket to pull out some change and his fingers rub across the surfaces of the coin, creating wear. A coin is thrown into a cash register drawer where it bumps against other coins, creating more wear. A dime is used as an impromptu screwdriver, damaging the edge and creating more wear.

The amount of wear a coin receives determines its grade among the circulated grade levels. The high points of a design are usually the first to depict wear, since they are the most exposed. Then the raised inscriptions and date depict wear, and finally, the flat fields.

Circulation wear erases design details, ultimately to the point where the design features are only slightly visible to the naked eye. The separate curls of hair tend to merge, the eagles feathers are rubbed away and the inscriptions begin to disappear into the fields.

Coins with only the slightest hint of wear are called About Uncirculated, a term that, if studied closely, defies logic. A coin is either Uncirculated or it is not. Then, in descending order, are Extremely Fine, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, About Good, Fair (and many years ago, Poor). Graders use several levels for some of the higher circulated grades to denote, for example, an Extremely Fine coin of higher quality than another legitimate Extremely Fine coin (EF-45 vs. EF-40).

Many hobbyists differentiate between circulation wear and another form of wear labeled “friction.” According to Halperin, friction is “A disturbance which appears either on the high points of a coin or in the fields, as a result of that coin rubbing against other projections.” It is often referred to as cabinet friction, a term applied to the minute wear a coin received when sliding back and forth in the drawer of a cabinet used for storage by earlier numismatists.

According to some grading services, friction does disturb the luster of the coin, but it should not disturb the metal underneath. If it does, the disturbance falls into the category of wear, they believe.

Strike
Strike is “The sharpness of detail which the coin had when it was Mint State,” according to Halperin; Fahey defines it as “the evenness and fullness of metal-flow into all the crevices of a die.”

The amount of pressure used to strike a coin controls the sharpness of a strike. Design elements may also affect the
strike; if two large design features are centered on both sides of the same coin, there may not be enough metal to flow into every little crevice of the design, thus leaving some details weak and ill-defined.

A coin with a sharp strike has sharp design details. For example, the curls of hair on Libertys head are strong and distinct. The feathers on the eagles wings and breast are clearly visible. All of the other design details, legends and other elements are sharp and well defined.

A coin with a weak strike has weak and ill-defined design details. It may look worn, since design details are missing from the high points of a coin. However, luster is unimpaired. Lower striking pressures may not force the metal into the deepest crevices on the die (the highest point on the coin); thus, the weaker design details.

Grading services, dealers and collectors consider strike an important part of a coins grade. An Uncirculated coin relatively free of marks and with full luster may still be placed at the lower end of the Mint State scale if it has a weak strike.

Strike affects the value of a coin. A coin with a sharp strike will generally have a higher value than a coin with a weak strike, all other factors being equal.

Toning and color
As a coin ages, the original color changes in reaction to the environment. The original red of copper coins becomes brown (or green). Silver coins may tone into any color of the rainbow, depending on environmental factors. Gold is a more stable metal and even when immersed in seawater for centuries, generally shows little change in tone and color.

Many years ago, toned coins, particularly silver coins, were judged unattractive. Silver coins were “dipped,” placed into a chemical solution that removed the toning and restored the shiny surface by stripping away the outer surface of the silver or the dirt.

However, attractively toned coins have become more appreciated from an aesthetic viewpoint. A silver dollar with rainbow toning may bring a considerable premium because of its coloration. Still, coins that exhibit bright white, original surfaces are prized (although because of the speed with which silver tones, some question whether any coins of a particular age can retain their original surfaces). Coins that exhibit unattractive toning (referred to as tarnish) are considered to be of lesser quality.

Because attractively toned coins often bring higher prices, some unscrupulous individuals (called “coin doctors”) have devised ways of artificially toning coins. Some use the bluing materials used by gunsmiths. Others bake their coins in ovens using various substances to impart different colors. Some chemically treat coins.

Novices will find it difficult to judge between natural toning and artificial toning. Experience is important here. An individual who has looked at a large number of coins will find that he can determine at a glance whether the toning is natural or whether it has been artificially generated. Collectors should not pay a premium for an artificially toned coin.

Other factors
Other factors under some grading standards do not affect the grade but may affect the value. Under other standards, those same factors affect both the grade and the value of the coin.

Among these factors are die scratches, not to be confused with “hairline” scratches. Die scratches are thin raised lines on a coin, resulting from minute scratches in the surface of the die. A hairline is a thin scratch scraped into the surface of a coin inflicted after the coin is struck.

A close examination of a coins surface through a magnifying glass should indicate whether a line on a coin is raised, and thus a die scratch, or incused, making it a hairline scratch.

Hairlines tend to affect the value more than die scratches. Most grading services, however, will lower the grade of a coin for more extensive, distracting die scratches.

Adjustment marks are often found on older U.S. silver and gold coins. Planchets (unstruck coins) were individually weighed before striking. If found to be a little overweight, the excess gold or silver was filed away. The striking pressures often did not obliterate the adjustment marks, which may resemble a series of parallel grooves. Adjustment marks may affect both the grade and the value.

Eye appeal
All of the factors mentioned earlier are ultimately considered when graders, dealers and collectors decide on the “eye appeal” of a coin. Eye appeal relates to the overall attractiveness of a coin and ultimately determines its value. A potential buyer, whether he is a dealer, collector or investor, decides just how attractive he believes the coin to be.

Judging eye appeal is a purely subjective action. For example, a coin could have a strong strike and full details, possess full luster and have few large, distracting contact marks and still not have eye appeal if it has toned to an unattractive color.

When examining a coin, a buyer must decide for himself just how “pretty” the coin is and whether its attractiveness warrants the price being asked. Only the buyer can decide the eye appeal. Aesthetic judgments differ from person to person.

“Raw” coins vs. “slabbed” coins

When the Professional Coin Grading Service began grading coins in early 1986, it introduced a new product onto the market: the “slabbed” coin. A “slab” is the hard plastic holder into which a coin graded by a third-party grading service is sealed. The grading information is sealed into the slab as well. The slab permits both obverse and reverse of the coin to be viewed, but generally not the edge.

Proponents of the “slab” cite several benefits: 1. A coin encased within a slab is protected somewhat from environmental factors that could cause a deterioration in the coins surfaces, and a lowering of its grade. 2. By sealing a coin into the same holder that contains the grading certificate, a buyer is “assured” that a coin meets the grading requirements of a specific grading service, if graded accurately. 3. It permits the “sight unseen” trading of a coin (in other words, various dealers have agreed to purchase coins graded by a particular grading service at the grade indicated
in the slab, even without seeing the coin first).

However, in recent years, testing has shown that coins sealed in grading services slabs can continue to tone. That’s because the plastic is permeable; the chemicals that cause a coin to tone can permeate through the plastic or along the slabs seals. Collectors who own slabbed coins should inspect them routinely to ensure that the environment in which they are stored is not causing the coins to tone unattractively. (Unslabbed coins should also be examined regularly for the same reason.)

Individuals who do not like slabbed coins cite detracting factors: 1. A collector cannot handle the coin directly. 2. Slabs do not permit the edge of the coin to be viewed. 3. It may be difficult to form ones own opinion about a coins grade if it has already been encapsulated, since many like to grade a coin without having to examine it through a holder.

Another relatively new term is the “raw” coin. A “raw” coin is the nickname used by some hobbyists for a coin that has not been graded and encapsulated by a third-party grading service.

Grading guidelines

The following guidelines are not presented as grading standards, but as introductions to the terminology of grading and its usage.

A few words regarding grading usage. When two grades are linked together by a virgule — as in Mint State 64/65 — it may mean that the coin has two grades (the first grade represents the obverse and the second, the reverse) or that the coin falls into a range between the two grades. When two grades are linked by a hyphen — as in Mint State 64-65 — it means that the grade for both sides lies somewhere between the two grades given. Collectors might want to exercise caution about buying a coin graded AU-BU. Most collectors believe a coin is either circulated or Uncirculated –– it cannot fall somewhere in between.

Plus signs are used by many to indicate a coin slightly better than the numerical grade indicated, but not as good as the next numerical grade. A coin graded MS-60+ is better than an MS-60 coin, but not as good as an MS-61 coin. The term “Premium Quality” means the same thing as a plus sign: that a coin is in the upper range for that grade and is very close to the next grade level.

Many dealers and collectors use adjectives instead of numerals, or combine adjectives and numerals when speaking about Mint State coins. A superb or superb gem coin is generally MS-67. A gem coin is usually MS-65. Some dealers use choice to describe an MS-63 coin, and others use choice for an MS-65 coin. Mint State 60 coins are generally referred to as Uncirculated or Brilliant Uncirculated; sometimes an MS-60 coin is called typical Uncirculated. Collectors should determine what adjectival “system” the dealer uses when no numerals are present because of the
disagreement over what the adjectives represent numerically.

Buyers should remember that different dealers, different collectors and investors use different grading systems. Although various grading services use an 11-point Mint State system, this does not necessarily mean they use the same criteria for assigning grades. In fact, there is no universally accepted standard for determining grades for U.S. coins.

Hobbyists can have legitimate differences of opinion over a coins grade.

Grading is subjective, not objective.

Collectors should also know that grading standards can change over time. Standards sometimes tighten up, with a coin once considered Mint State 65 now considered MS-64. Standards can also loosen, with an MS-64 coin grading MS-65 under the looser standards. This can be troublesome, especially if a novice collector buys a slabbed coin graded during a period of loose standards; even if the slab is marked as MS-65, current standards might consider the coin no higher than MS-64. That’s why it is vital that collectors learn how to grade coins, in order to protect themselves when buying coins.

Read about, and view examples of various grades

Proof: Traditionally, Proof describes a method of manufacture, not a grade. However, since numerals are often assigned to Proof coins, there are different qualities of Proof coins; in effect, different grades. A circulated Proof is often called an “impaired Proof.” When abbreviated, Proof generally appears as PF.

Brilliant Proof coins are struck on highly polished planchets, using slower, high-pressure presses; coins are struck two or more times to bring up greater detail in the design.

Mint State and Uncirculated: The two terms are interchangeable and describe a coin that has no wear. To qualify as Mint State, a coin must not have any level of wear. Even the slightest amount of wear will drop the coin into the About Uncirculated level. (Coins described by some dealers as “Borderline Uncirculated” have wear and are actually About Uncirculated. New collectors should be aware of this fact and not pay a Brilliant ) Mint State is most often used with numerals. Mint State is abbreviated as MS.

The numerical Mint State system so widely used in the current rare coin market is based on a system created by Dr. William H. Sheldon for the U.S. large cents of 1793 to 1814. When the numerical system began to spread to other series, three levels of Mint State were used: Mint State 60, for an Uncirculated coin of average luster, strike and marks; MS-65, an Uncirculated coin of above average quality; and MS-70, a perfect coin as regards luster, strike and marks. All 11 numbers are now used from MS-60 to MS-70.

Uncirculated is usually abbreviated as Unc. It often appears as Brilliant Uncirculated, abbreviated as BU. Sometimes used with numerals, generally as Unc. 60, and so on. Some dealers use a plus sign to indicate a coin better than one level of Mint State, but not as good as the next level.

About Uncirculated: This is a coin with only the barest traces of wear on the highest points of the design. It is abbreviated AU and often appears with numerals as AU-50, AU-55 and AU-58. The term has gained acceptance despite seeming inconsistency. Some people in the hobby still say that no coin can be About Uncirculated — it is either Uncirculated or it is not. Some use Almost Uncirculated, although all major U.S. grading guides use “About.” The AU-58 grade has been described as an MS-63 coin with just the slightest hint of wear. It should have fewer contact marks than lower level Mint State coins: MS-60, MS-61 and MS-62. It may be more attractive and more valuable than these lower Mint State coins.

Extremely Fine: Light overall wear on highest points, but with all design elements sharp and clear, distinguishes this grade. Most hobbyists abbreviate it as EF, although a few use XF. It appears as EF-40 and EF-45.

Very Fine: The coin has light to moderate even wear on surface and high points of design. Abbreviated VF, it appears with numerals as VF-20 and VF-30. The abbreviations VF-25 and VF-35 are infrequently used.

Fine: The wear is considerable although the entire design is still strong and visible. It is abbreviated as F-12.

Very Good: The design and surface are well worn, and main features are clear but flat. Abbreviated as VG, it is used with numerals as VG-8 and VG-10.

Good: Design and surface are heavily worn, with some details weak and many details flat. It is abbreviated only when used with numerals, G-4; G-6 is infrequently used. Ironically, a coin in Good condition is not a “good” coin to collect; a Good coin is generally the lowest collectible grade.

About Good: The design is heavily worn with surface wear

Net Grading

Net grading is a term used when referring to coins that have problems. For example, a coin might have XF wear, but have been scratched, corroded, cleaned, etc. Often, such a coin will be given a “net” grade, say VF reflecting the undesirable issues. This is meant to reflect that while the coin may technically grade XF, the market value should be somewhere close to that of an average VF coin. While completely problem free coins are the exception, net grading is probably applied to less than a fourth of the coins.

Grading Levels
MS 60-70 Uncirculated
AU 50, 53, 55, 58 About Uncirculated
XF 40, 45 Extremely Fine
VF 20, 25, 30, 35 Very Fine
F 12, 15 Fine
VG 8, 10 Very Good
G 4, 6 Good
AG 3 About Good
FR 2 Fair
PR 1 Poor