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Coin Grading Guide for Collectors

The document defines various coin grades used to classify the condition and quality of coins, from lowest (Poor/Cull) to highest (Mint State/Proof). It provides details on the Mint State (MS) 60-70 scale used by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) to evaluate coin quality. NGC is generally considered more conservative than PCGS in its grading. Coins receive a grade and attributes like variety or error are noted when the coin is sealed in a protective slab.

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427 views2 pages

Coin Grading Guide for Collectors

The document defines various coin grades used to classify the condition and quality of coins, from lowest (Poor/Cull) to highest (Mint State/Proof). It provides details on the Mint State (MS) 60-70 scale used by the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) to evaluate coin quality. NGC is generally considered more conservative than PCGS in its grading. Coins receive a grade and attributes like variety or error are noted when the coin is sealed in a protective slab.

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DEFINITIONS TO KNOW

MS: (As a reference to general coins, not a grade); Mint State.  Coins struck in the same format
as circulation issues.
PF: Proof. Coins struck in a special, mirrorlike, format just for collectors.
SP: Specimen. A hybrid between Mint State and Proof.

Cull/Poor: Worn slick, Graded 1 (Abr. P)


Fun Fact: A Poor 1 coin is so worn it is about half of its original weight
Fair: Coins graded 2 (Abr. FR)
Very Fair: Coins graded 3 (Abr. VFR)
Good: Coins Graded 4-6 (Abr. G)
Very Good: Coins graded 7-10 (Abr. VG)
Fine: Coins graded 11-20 (Abr. F)
Very Fine: Coins graded 20-39 (Abr. VF)
Extremely Fine: Coins graded 40-50 (Abr. XF)
About Uncirculated: Coins graded 50-59 (Abr. AU)
Mint State: Grades 60-70 (Abr. MS)

Currently, there are lots of third party professional grading companies that will grade your coin
so that there is no doubt what the official grade is.  However, I personally, only trust the two
main ones, PCGS and NGC.  NGC is the best because they are very conservative with their
grading.  PGCS tends to be a bit liberal. A PCGS MS67 could be graded at NGC and receive
MS66 or even 65.  Stick to NGC when possible.  When graded, coins are placed in air-tight slabs
bearing the name of the coin, the assigned grade, and any attributes (Varieties, errors, special
history, etc.).
Now, let's break this down individually.

~MS~
70:  NGC defines a Mint State or Proof 70 coin as having no post-production imperfections at 5x
magnification.
69: A fully struck coin with nearly imperceptible imperfections.
68: Very sharply struck with only miniscule imperfections.
67: Sharply struck with only a few imperfections.
66: Very well struck with minimal marks and hairlines.
65: Well struck with moderate marks or hairlines.
64: Average or better strike with several obvious marks or hairlines and other miniscule
imperfections.
63: Slightly weak or average strike with moderate abrasions and hairlines of varying sizes.
62: Slightly weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More or larger abrasions than an
MS/PF 63.
61: Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More marks and/or multiple large abrasions.
60: Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. Numerous abrasions, hairlines and/or large
marks.

The rest of the grades are not too important to know at an early stage, but here, I hit some of the
important marks:

NGC Designations

 Cameo - (On proofs only; a contrast in fields, usually by the means of a frosted finish)
 Ultra Cameo - (On proofs only; a massive contrast in fields)
 Environmental damage - (corrosion, holed, bent, damage)

 Cleaned - (cleaned with chemicals, changed coin’s appearance)


 Improperly cleaned - (cleaned improperly, could result in unnatural colors)
 Artificial toning - (toned artificially, unnatural. Results in discolored surface)

NGC Symbols

 + Plus designation example: MS67+ - (better than the stated grade, but not quite the next
grade up)
 * Star designation - (great eye appeal, usually for natural toning)

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