| Coin collection is not just about having as | | | | For "Extremely Fine" coins, the mint luster |
| many coins as possible. More important than | | | | is still present. |
| the number of coins is the quality of those | | | | |
| coins. This quality is measured by the coins' | | | | "Very Fine" coins can be compared to coins |
| grade and the grade is measured using a scale | | | | which have been used for 1-3 years. Minor |
| from zero to seventy (seventy being the | | | | features of the coins are already gone. |
| highest point grade). Doctor William Shelby | | | | |
| introduced this point scale in his work | | | | 4. "Good Coins" |
| "Penny Whimsy". | | | | |
| | | | These coins can be specifically defined as |
| Here are the classifications of coins | | | | "Very Good" (12), "Good" and "Almost Good" |
| according to grade. | | | | coins. |
| | | | |
| 1. "Mint State" Coins | | | | The coins in this category are worn out. Only |
| | | | weak designs can be observed since the |
| This is equivalent to a value of 60 to 70 in | | | | details of the coins in the high points are |
| the Shelby's grade scale. This means that the | | | | nearly smooth. |
| coin has no blemishes whatsoever. Most of the | | | | |
| coins in this category are uncirculated, | | | | Full rims must be observed for the "Very |
| shiny, new coins, with absolutely no signs of | | | | Good" coins category. |
| wear. | | | | |
| | | | In the case of "Good" coins, the mint mark |
| 2. "Almost Uncirculated" Coins | | | | and the date must be visible. |
| | | | |
| The "Almost Uncirculated" coins have a point | | | | On the other hand, "Almost Good" coins are |
| grade of 50, 55, or 58. | | | | the most worn of coins in this category. |
| | | | |
| It is very important to note that in these | | | | 5. "Fair Coins" |
| coins, coin collectors must know the | | | | |
| locations of the high points in a particular | | | | The coins are "worn out", but can still be |
| coin. By checking the difference of the light | | | | distinguished as belonging to one of the |
| reflected in the high points to the other | | | | types of coins - as long as one can identify |
| parts of the coin, an "Almost Uncirculated" | | | | a coin, it is a "Fair C". |
| coin is separated from the Mint State coins. | | | | |
| | | | 6. "Basal Coin" |
| 3. "Fine Coins" | | | | |
| | | | These metals that can be determined to be |
| These can further be classified as" Extremely | | | | coins - but the kind of coin are |
| Fine" (40, 45), "Very Fine" (20, 25, 30, and | | | | undeterminable. |
| 35) or "Fine" (12) depending on the sharpness | | | | |
| of the remaining details on the coins. The | | | | With the classifications described, it will |
| coins are observed to have wear but the | | | | be very easy to grade coins. Just remember |
| designs are still intact. | | | | that knowledge of the coins' grades gives |
| | | | coin collectors advantages! |