About Grading
Basic Coin Grades
Circulated U.S. Coins
Old or extremely rare coins can be very difficult to find in mint uncirculated condition. While they have accumulated some wear during use, Circulated coins in Good or better condition are coveted by collectors.
Uncirculated and Proof Coins
Uncirculated coins are those that were never intended for circulation in daily commerce. The condition of these coins may vary to some degree because of blemishes, toning or slight imperfections.
The term Proof refers to a manufacturing method that produces coins specifically for collectors. A proof coin typically features sharp detail and a brilliant, mirror-like surface, although proof coins with some wear are often graded using the American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) Coin Grading Scale.
Below is an outline of the Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins from the Professional Coin Grading Service. For more information about grading coins, purchase a copy of Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins, which includes a complete grading guide for each individual series of United States coins.
Uncirculated Grades (Mint State)
MS-70—The perfect coin. Has very attractive sharp strike and original luster of the highest quality for the date and mint. No contact marks are visible under magnification. There are absolutely no hairlines, scuff marks or defects. Attractive and outstanding eye appeal. Copper coins must be bright with full original color and luster.
MS-69—Must have very attractive sharp strike and full original luster for the date and mint, with no more than two small non-detracting contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks can be seen. Has exceptional eye appeal. Copper coins must be bright with full original color and luster.
MS-68—Attractive sharp strike and full original luster for the date and mint, with no more than four light scattered contact marks or flaws. No hairlines or scuff marks show. Exceptional eye appeal. Copper coins must have lustrous original color.
MS-67—Has full original luster and sharp strike for date and mint. May have three or four very small contact marks and one more noticeable but not detracting mark. On comparable coins, one or two small single hairlines may show under magnification, or one or two partially hidden scuff marks or flaws may be present. Eye appeal is exceptional. Copper coins must have lustrous original color.
MS-66—Must have above average quality of strike and full original mint luster, with no more than two or three minor but noticeable contact marks. A few very light hairlines may show under magnification, or there may be one or two light scuff marks showing on frosted surfaces or in the field. The eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing for the date and mint. Copper coins display full original or lightly toned color as appropriate.
MS-65—Shows an attractive high quality of luster and strike for the date and mint. A few small scattered contact marks, or two larger marks may be present, and one or two small patches of hairlines may show under magnification. Noticeable light scuff marks may show on the high points of the design. Overall quality is above average and overall eye appeal is very pleasing. Copper coins have full luster with original or darkened color as appropriate.
MS-64—Has at least average luster and strike for the type. Several small contact marks in groups, as well as one or two moderately heavy marks may be present. One or two small patches of hairlines may show under low magnification. Noticeable light scuff marks or defects might be seen within the design or in the field. Attractive overall quality with a pleasing eye appeal. Copper coins may be slightly dull. Color should be appropriate.
MS-63—Mint luster may be slightly impaired. Numerous small contact marks, and a few scattered heavy marks may be seen. Small hairlines are visible without magnification. Several detracting scuff marks or defects may be present throughout the design or in the fields. The general quality is about average, but overall the coin is rather attractive. Copper pieces may be darkened or dull. Color should be appropriate.
MS-62—An impaired or dull luster may be evident. Clusters of small marks may be present throughout with a few large marks or nicks in prime focal areas. Hairlines may be very noticeable. Large unattractive scuff marks might be seen on major features. The strike, rim and planchet quality may be noticeably below average. Overall eye-appeal is generally acceptable. Copper coins will show a diminished color and tone.
MS-61—Mint luster may be diminished or noticeably impaired, and the surface has clusters of small contact marks throughout. Hairlines could be very noticeable. Scuff-marks may show as unattractive patches on large areas or major features. Small rim nicks, striking or planchet defects may show, and the quality may be noticeably poor. Eye appeal is somewhat unattractive. Copper pieces will be generally dull, dark and possibly spotted.
MS-60—Unattractive, dull or washed out mint luster may mark this coin. There may be many large detracting contact marks, or damage spots, but absolutely no trace of wear. There could be a heavy concentration of hairlines, or unattractive large areas of scuff marks. Rim nicks may be present, and eye appeal is very poor. Copper coins may be dark, dull and spotted.
Circulated Grades
AU-58—(Very Choice About Uncirculated) The barest trace of wear may be seen on one or more of the high points of the design. No major detracting contact marks will be present and the coin will have attractive eye appeal and nearly full luster, often with the appearance of a higher grade.
AU-55—(Choice About Uncirculated) Only small traces of wear are visible on the highest points of the coin.
AU-50—(About Uncirculated) With traces of wear on nearly all of the highest areas. At least half of the original mint luster is present.
EF-45—(Choice Extremely Fine) With light overall wear on the coin’s highest points. All design details are very sharp. Mint luster is usually seen only in protected areas of the coin’s surface.
EF-40—(Extremely Fine) With only slight wear but more extensive than the preceding, still with excellent overall sharpness. Traces of mint luster may still show.
VF-30—(Choice Very Fine) With light even wear on the surface; design details on the highest points lightly worn, but with all lettering and major features sharp.
VF-20—(Very Fine) As with VF-30 but with moderate wear on the higher surface features.
F-12—(Fine) Moderate to considerable even wear. Entire design is bold. All lettering, including the word LIBERTY (on coins with this feature on shield or headband) is visible, but with some weakness.
VG-8—(Very Good) Well worn. Major designs visible, but with faintness in areas. Head of Liberty, wreath and other major features visible in outline form without center detail.
G-4—(Good) Heavily worn. Major designs visible, but with faintness in areas. Head of Liberty, wreath and other major features, as applicable, visible in outline form without center detail.
AG-3—(About Good) Very heavily worn with portions of the lettering, date and legends being worn smooth. The date is barely readable.