PCGS Grading Standards
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PCGS Grading Standards
GRADE DESCRIPTION
PO-1 Identifiable date and type
FR-2 Mostly worn, though some detail is visible
AG-3 Worn rims but most lettering is readable though worn
G-4 Slightly worn rims, flat detail, peripheral lettering nearly full
G-6 Rims complete with flat detail, peripheral lettering full
VG-8 Design worn with slight detail
VG-10 Design worn with slight detail, slightly clearer
F-12 Some deeply recessed areas with detail, all lettering sharp
F-15 Slightly more detail in the recessed areas, all lettering sharp
VF-20 Some definition of detail, all lettering full and sharp
VF-25 Slightly more definition in the detail and lettering
VF-30 Almost complete detail with flat areas
VF-35 Detail is complete but worn with high points flat
XF-40 Detail is complete with most high points slightly flat
XF-45 Detail is complete with some high points flat
AU-50 Full detail with friction over most of the surface, slight flatness on high points
AU-53 Slight flatness and loss of luster visible on high points of design. Some luster
remains
GRADE DESCRIPTION
AU-55 Full detail with friction on less than 1/2 surface, mainly on high points
AU-58 Full detail with only slight friction on the high points
MS/PR-60 No wear. May have many heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-61 No wear. Multiple heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-62 No wear. Slightly less marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-63 Moderate number/size marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-64 Few marks/hairlines or a couple of severe ones, strike should be average or above
MS/PR-65 Minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike
MS/PR-66 Few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, good strike
MS/PR-67 Virtually as struck with minor imperfections, very well struck
MS/PR-68 Virtually as struck with slight imperfections, slightest weakness of strike allowed
MS/PR-69 Virtually as struck with minuscule imperfections, near full strike necessary
MS/PR-70 Fully struck and lustrous, free of visual marks. The PCGS 70 grading standard does
allow for “as minted” defects, as long as those flaws are minor and do not impact
the eye appeal of the coin.
PCGS Designations
DESIGNATION DESCRIPTION
RD Color: Red - more than 95% original red color
RB Color: Red-Brown - between 5% and 95% original red color
BN Color: Brown - less then 5% original red color
CA Surface: Cameo
DCAM Surface: Deep Cameo
DESIGNATION DESCRIPTION
DM Surface: Deep Mirror
PL Surface: Prooflike
SP Specimen: Struck well like a Proof, but satiny, sometimes matte, semi-granular
looking
PCGS No-Grade Codes
NO PRINTED
DESCRIPTION HOLDERED
GRADE DESCRIPTION
82 Filed Rims Yes Yes
83 Peeling Lamination Yes No
84 Holed and Plugged Yes Yes
86 Authenticity Unverifiable Yes No
90 Counterfeit Yes No
91 Questionable Color No Yes
92 Cleaned - surface damage due to a harsh, abrasive No Yes
cleaning
93 Planchet Flaw - metal impurity or defect in the No Yes
planchet
94 Altered Surfaces - whizzed, harsh cleaning, No Yes
thumbed over (using a pasty substance to cover
defects or alter the appearance)
95 Scratch No Yes
96 Refund - No Service - coins we do not certify (i.e. Yes No
medals, some privately made issues, etc.) or cannot
certify (i.e. over-sized coins). Fee Refunded.
97 Environmental Damage - i.e. corrosion, coating No Yes
(lacquer), excessively heavy toning, etc.
NO PRINTED
DESCRIPTION HOLDERED
GRADE DESCRIPTION
98 Damage - deliberate surface damage, i.e. graffiti, Yes Yes
spot(s) removed, etc.
99 PVC (Poly-Vinyl-Chloride) Residue - a plasticizer Yes No
used to produce vinyl that will leach out of the
holder and onto the coin, eventually damaging the
surfaces
Genuine Service
Coins with any of the problems listed above (except codes 83, 86, 90, 96, and 99) can be
encapsulated in a Genuine-Not Gradable holder. There are two options available under the Genuine
service. Only one option is allowed per submission form. See below for a detailed description of the
two options. Holders and inserts for Genuine coins will be identical to the normal PCGS holder
except that the insert will read "GENUINE" in place of the usual grade. No grade will be assigned to
these coins, but they will be eligible for inclusion in the PCGS Set Registry with a grade value of 1.
Genuine coins will be covered under the PCGS Guarantee of Authenticity but not under the PCGS
Guarantee of Grade. PCGS reserves the right to reject any coins submitted that are excessively
damaged, altered to such a degree that making a determination of authenticity is difficult or
impossible, or which have surface contaminants that may harm the coin in the future.
There are two options available under the Genuine service. Only one option is allowed per
submission form. Select one of our two Genuine Service options:
�. Genuine with Details (default) – will print the coin problem along with a details grade
�. Do Not Holder Genuine
