Strike Type

NGC uses two-letter codes before a coin’s numeric grade to describe its method of
production and overall appearance. The most common are MS for Mint State coins
(those struck for circulation) and PF for Proof coins (those struck for collectors).
Another strike type is SP for Specimen, which describes a coin that falls short of the
definition for actual Proofs but are superior to the normal currency issues.

MS

Mint State. Coins struck in the same format as circulation issues. Applies to grades
60 to 70.
PF

Proof. Coins struck in a special format for collectors.

SP

Specimen. A hybrid between Mint State and Proof.

Numeric Grades
NGC uses a numeric grade to succinctly describe a problem-free coin’s condition.
The available numeric grades range from 1 to 70 based on an internationally
recognized scale developed in the 1940s. As the numeric grade increases, a coin’s
condition is considered to be better. Some numbers are skipped below the grade of
60, which is the threshold for a coin to be considered Uncirculated.

MS/PF70

A coin with no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification.

MS/PF69

A fully struck coin with nearly imperceptible imperfections.

MS/PF68

Very sharply struck with only miniscule imperfections.

MS/PF67

Sharply struck with only a few imperfections.

MS/PF66

Very well struck with minimal marks and hairlines.

MS/PF65

Well struck with moderate marks or hairlines.

MS/PF64

Average or better strike with several obvious marks or hairlines and other miniscule
imperfections.
MS/PF63

Slightly weak or average strike with moderate abrasions and hairlines of varying
sizes.
 MS/PF62

Slightly weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More or larger abrasions than
an MS/PF 63.
MS/PF61

Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More marks and/or multiple large
abrasions.
MS/PF60

Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. Numerous abrasions, hairlines and/or
large marks.
AU58

Slight wear on the highest points of the design. Full details.

AU55

Slight wear on less than 50% of the design. Full details.

AU53

Slight wear on more than 50% of the design. Full details except for very minor
softness on the high points.
AU50

Slight wear on more than 50% of the design. Full details except for minor softness on
the high points.
XF45

Complete details with minor wear on some of the high points.

XF40

Complete details with minor wear on most of the high points.

VF35

Complete details with wear on all of the high points.

VF30

Nearly complete details with moderate softness on the design areas.

VF25

Nearly complete details with more softness on the design areas.

VF20

Moderate design detail with sharp letters and digits.

F15

Recessed areas show slight softness. Letters and digits are sharp.
F12

Recessed areas show more softness. Letters and digits are sharp.
VG10

Wear throughout the design. Letters and digits show softness.

VG8

Wear throughout the design. Letters and digits show more softness.
 G6

Peripheral letters and digits are full. Rims are sharp.

G4

Peripheral letters and digits are nearly full. Rims exhibit wear.
AG3

Most letters and digits are readable. Rims are worn into the fields.
FR2

Some details are visible. Rims are barely visible.

PO1

Enough detail to identify the coin's date and type. Rims are flat or nearly flat.

Adjectival Grades: NGC will occasionally grade bulk submissions of common coins
with adjectival grades instead of numeric grades. To learn more about adjectival
grades, click here.

Plus & Star

NGC uses the Plus () and Star () designations to distinguish coins at the high end of
their assigned grade and/or with exceptional eye appeal for their assigned grade. All
coins are evaluated for the Plus and Star designations as part of the normal NGC
coin grading process, and they are assigned automatically for no additional fee.

(NGC Plus Designation)

NGC assigns a to coins at the high end of their assigned grade, approaching the
quality requirements for the next grade. For example, a coin graded NGC MS 64 is
close to the quality of a coin graded NGC MS 65. Read more...
(NGC Star Designation)

NGC assigns its trademarked Star Designation to coins with exceptional eye appeal
for their assigned grade. Read more...
Strike Characters
Strike characters are used to describe how well an area of a coin is struck and when
information is of specific interest to collectors. For example, strike characters can
describe the degree of red luster on a copper coin’s surface (BN, RB and RD), the
degree of contrast on a Proof coin (Cameo and Ultra Cameo) or other distinctive
features, such as FB for Full Bands on a Mercury Dime.

RD

Red. A coin with full mint red luster.

RB

Red Brown. A coin with a mix of red luster and brown patina.
BN

Brown. A coin with full or nearly full brown patina.

 Ultra Cameo

Applies only to PF coins. The fields are deeply mirrored and the devices are heavily
frosted for bold contrast on both sides of the coin.
Cameo

Applies only to PF coins. The fields are deeply mirrored and the devices are frosted
for moderate contrast on both sides of the coins.
DPL

Deep Prooflike. The fields are deeply mirrored. Does not apply to Proof coins.
PL

Prooflike. The fields are mirrored. Does not apply to Proof coins.

Strike Characters
Posted on 4/13/2016

In addition to grade, other attributes of a coins condition, quality of manufacture and

appearance are described by NGC. These include strike characters and
designations.

A strike character most often describes how well an area of a coin was struck, and is
used when this information is of specific interest to collectors. For example, Mercury
Dimes are described with the notation FB for Full Bands which immediately follows
the grade when, on the reverse of the coin, the central bands on the fasces are fully
split. A number of similar strike characters are employed by NGC.

A designation usually indicates something about the appearance of the coin. For
example, NGC describes Proof coins (coins struck for presentation or display
purposes) that display contrast between the central devices and the field area as
being CAMEO. This is one of the many designations used by NGC. Some special
designations indicate when a coin was minted. For example, NGC uses the special
designation FIRST DAY OF MINTAGE for Presidential Dollars received for
certification on their official day of release or by overnight courier on the day
immediately following. More information about this type of designation can be found
on the Early Release Designation portion of this website.

A comprehensive list of strike characters and special designations follows.

APPLICABLE COIN
CENSUS LABEL DESCRIPTION
TYPES

(how the strike (how the strike character (a verbal description of (the types of coins to
character appears on the NGC label) the strike character) which it applies)
appears in the
NGC Census)
5DP 5FS DPL Five Full Steps, Deep Jefferson Nickels Only
Prooflike
5FS 5FS Five Full Steps Jefferson Nickels Only
5PL 5FS PL Five Full Steps, Prooflike Jefferson Nickels Only
6DP 6FS DPL Six Full Steps, Deep Jefferson Nickels Only
Prooflike
6FS 6FS Six Full Steps Jefferson Nickels Only
6PL 6FS PL Six Full Steps, Prooflike Jefferson Nickels Only
BN BN Brown All Copper Coins, Mint
State and Proof
BNB BN BRILLIANT Brown, Brilliant Proof Copper Coins
BNC BN CAMEO Brown, Cameo Proof Copper Coins
BND BN DPL Brown, Deep Prooflike Mint State Copper
Coins
BNM BN MATTE Brown, Matte Proof Copper Coins
BNP BN PL Brown, Prooflike Mint State Copper
Coins
BNS BN SATIN Brown, Satin Proof Copper Coins
BNU BN ULTRA CAMEO Brown, Ultra Cameo Proof Copper Coins
CA CAMEO Cameo All Proof Coins
DFM DPL FIRST DAY OF MINTAGE Deep Prooflike, First Presidential $1 Coins
Day of Mintage Only
DME DPL MINT ERROR Deep Prooflike, Mint Mint errors
Error
DPL DPL Deep Prooflike All Mint State Coins,
esp. Morgan Dollars
EH ENHANCED FINISH Enhanced Finish Modern Coins Only
EHD DPL ENHANCED FINISH Enhanced Finish, Deep Modern Coins Only
Prooflike
EHP PL ENHANCED FINISH Enhanced Finish, Modern Coins Only
Prooflike
EPF ENHANCED REV PF Enhanced Finish, Modern Coins Only
Reverse Proof
EU UC ENHANCED FINISH Enhanced Finish, Ultra Modern Coins Only
Cameo
FB FB Full Bands Mercury Dimes Only
FBD FB DPL Full Bands, Deep Mercury Dimes Only
Prooflike
FBL FBL Full Bell Lines Franklin Half Dollars
Only
FBP FB PL Full Bands, Prooflike Mercury Dimes Only
FD FIRST DAY OF ISSUE First Day of Issue Presidential $1 Coins
Only
FDD DPL FIRST DAY OF ISSUE Deep Prooflike, First Presidential $1 Coins
Day of Issue Only
FDP PL FIRST DAY OF ISSUE Prooflike, First Day of Presidential $1 Coins
Issue Only
FH FH Full Head Standing Liberty
Quarters Only
FHD FH DPL Full Head, Deep Standing Liberty
Prooflike Quarters Only
FHP FH PL Full Head, Prooflike Standing Liberty
Quarters Only
FLD FBL DPL Full Bell Lines, Deep Franklin Half Dollars
Prooflike Only
FLP FBL PL Full Bell Lines, Prooflike Franklin Half Dollars
 Only
FM FIRST DAY OF MINTAGE First Day of Mintage Coins in US Mint
Covers, so designated
FT FT Full Torch Roosevelt Dimes Only
FTD FT DPL Full Torch, Deep Roosevelt Dimes Only
Prooflike
FTP FT PL Full Torch, Prooflike Roosevelt Dimes Only
MA MATTE Matte Used Infrequently
ME MINT ERROR Mint Error Mint errors
PFM PL FIRST DAY OF MINTAGE Prooflike, First Day of Presidential $1 Coins
Mintage Only
PL PL Prooflike All Mint State Coins,
esp. Morgan Dollars
PME PL MINT ERROR Prooflike, Mint Error Mint errors
RB RB Red Brown All Copper Coins, Mint
State and Proof
RBB RB BRILLIANT Red Brown, Brilliant Proof Copper Coins
RBC RB CAMEO Red Brown, Cameo Proof Copper Coins
RBD RB DPL Red Brown, Deep Mint State Copper
Prooflike Coins
RBM RB MATTE Red Brown, Matte Proof Copper Coins
RBP RB PL Red Brown, Prooflike Mint State Copper
Coins
RBS RB SATIN Red Brown, Satin Proof Copper Coins
RBU RB ULTRA CAMEO Red Brown, Ultra Proof Copper Coins
Cameo
RD RD Red All Copper Coins, Mint
State and Proof
RDB RD BRILLIANT Red, Brilliant Proof Copper Coins
RDC RD CAMEO Red, Cameo Proof Copper Coins
RDD RD DPL Red, Deep Prooflike Mint State Copper
Coins
RDM RD MATTE Red, Matte Proof Copper Coins
RDP RD PL Red, Proof Like Mint State Copper
Coins
RDS RD SATIN Red, Satin Proof Copper Coins
RDU RD ULTRA CAMEO Red, Ultra Cameo Proof Copper Coins
RFD RD FIRST DAY OF ISSUE Red, First Day of Issue Modern Coins Only
RY RELEASE CEREMONY Release Ceremony Modern Coins Only
RFY RD RELEASE CEREMONY Red, Release Ceremony Modern Coins Only
SA SATIN Satin Used Infrequently
UC ULTRA CAMEO Ultra Cameo All Proof Coins
 Strike Types
Mint State (MS)
The numerical grades MS-60 through MS-70, used to denote a business
strike coin that never has been in circulation. A Mint State coin can range
from one that is covered with marks (MS-60) to a flawless example (MS-
70).

Proof (PR)
A coin usually struck from a specially prepared coin die on a specially
prepared planchet. Proofs are usually given more than one blow from the
dies and are usually struck with presses operating at slower speeds and
higher striking pressure. Because of this extra care, Proofs usually exhibit
much sharper detail than regular, or business, strikes. PCGS recognizes
Proofs (PR) as those struck in 1817 and later.

Specimen (SP)
Special coins struck at the Mint from 1792-1816 that display many
characteristics of the later Proof coinage. Prior to 1817, the minting
equipment and technology was limited, so these coins do not have the
"watery" surfaces of later Proofs nor the evenness of strike of the close
collar Proofs.

MS/PR-70
MS/PR-69

MS/PR-68

MS/PR-67
MS/PR-66

MS/PR-65

MS/PR-64
MS/PR-63

MS/PR-62

MS/PR-61
MS/PR-60

AU-58

AU-55

AU-53
AU-50

XF-45
XF-40

VF-35

VF-30
 VF-25

VF-20

View Details

F-15
View Details

F-12

View Details

VG-10
View Details

VG-8

View Details

G-6
View Details

G-4

View Details

AG-03
View Details

FR-2

View Details

PO-1
 View Details

UNGRADABLE

View Details

Plus Grades
"Plus Grades" exhibit exceptional eye appeal for the grade and constitute
the top 30% of the coins in the grade.
Only XF-45 through MS/PR-68 are eligible for Plus grades. Numerically, this
includes 45, 50, 53, 55, 58, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, & 68.