| The Coin Grading Systemby Robert L
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| | surface spotting or lacks some of its
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| Taylor, JD
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| | original luster.
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| Coin grading is a term used to refer to
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| | 4. Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55 & 58)
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| the process of determining the condition
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| | A coin having very light wear on only the
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| or quality of a coin, and its full
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| | highest points of the design but no other
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| identity. It is essential to know what
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| | defects and with most of its luster
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| the grade is of a particular coin,
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| | remaining.
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| because, as a general matter, the higher
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| | 5. About Uncirculated (AU-50)
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| the grade of a coin, the higher its
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| | Coin has evidence of light wear on many
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| numismatic value.
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| | of the high points but at least half of
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| Coins are graded on a 0-70 point scale
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| | the mint luster is still present.
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| devised by Dr William Shelby. The
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| | 6. Extremely Fine (EF-40)
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| details can be found in the Official
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| | The coin design is lightly worn in most
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| A.N.A. Grading Standards for United
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| | places but all the features remain sharp
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| States Coins published by the American
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| | and well defined.
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| Numismatic Association (ANA). Under this
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| | 7. Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
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| method of grading, the higher the point
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| | Light even wear on the surface and
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| scale accorded a particular coin, the
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| | highest parts of the design but most
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| better its quality.
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| | major features and the lettering are
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| The process of grading a coin is partly
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| | sharp.
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| subjective and partly an art, rather than
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| | 8. Very Fine (VF-20)
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| a true science. Accurate grading requires
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| | Minor features such as some of the finer
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| many years of skill and experience.
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| | hair detail, feathers, etc. will be
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| However, determining an approximate grade
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| | moderately worn. Shows moderate wear on
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| is possible for even the novice coin
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| | high points of design. All major details
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| collector.
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| | are clear.
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| The basic point scales that define coin
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| | 9. Fine (F-12)
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| grades, are as follows:
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| | Moderate to considerable even wear over
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| 1. Mint State Perfect Uncirculated
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| | most features and the lettering. A lot of
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| (MS-70)
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| | the details are worn through but you can
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| Mint state uncirculated coin in perfect
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| | still see a good deal of the design. 10.
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| condition, showing no traces of wear, and
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| | Very Good (VG-8)
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| no blemishes, scratches, handling or
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| | The entire design is weak, but a few
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| contact with other coins. The best
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| | details are visible. Well worn throughout
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| quality coin possible.
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| | but coin rims still visible.
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| 2. Choice (Gem) Uncirculated (MS-65-69)
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| | 11. Good (G-4)
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| An above average uncirculated coin which
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| | Heavily worn but design and legend still
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| retains all of the original mint
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| | visible although quite weak in spots.
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| brilliance or luster, and has a very few
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| | Many details are gone.
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| contact marks on the surface or rim,
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| | 12. About Good (AG-3)
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| which are barely noticeable.
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| | Very heavily worn with portions of
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| 3. Brilliant Uncirculated or BU
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| | lettering, date and legends worn smooth
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| (MS-60-64)
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| | and barely discernable.
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| An uncirculated coin having no traces of
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| | Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!
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| wear but which has a few contact marks,
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