All about Grading Coins with Ease

Coin collections are not just about collecting as many coins as possible. More important than the number of coins is the quality of the coins.  The quality is measured by the coins’ grade.  The coin’s grade is measured using a scale from zero to seventy (seventy being the highest point grade). Doctor William Shelby introduced the grading point scale in his work “Penny Whimsy”.

The following are the classifications of coins according to grade:

1. “Mint State” Coins

Mint state coins are the equivalent to a value of 60 to 70 on the Shelby’s grade scale.  These coins are blemish-free. Most of the coins in this category are un-circulated shiny, new coins with absolutely no signs of wear.

2. “Almost Un-circulated” Coins

Almost Un-circulated coins have a point grade of 50, 55 or 58.

It is very important to note that in this category of coins that coin collectors are aware of the locations of the high points in a particular coin.  By checking the difference of the light reflected in the high points to the other parts of the coin, an almost un-circulated coin is separated from the Mint State coins.

3. “Fine Coins”

These coins can further be classified as” Extremely Fine” (40, 45), “Very Fine” (20, 25, 30, and 35) or “Fine” (12),  depending on the sharpness of the remaining details on the coins.  The coins are observed to have wear but the designs are still intact.

“Extremely Fine” coins are defined when the mint luster is still present on the coin.

“Very Fine” coins can be compared to coins that have been in circulation for one to three years.  Minor features of the coins are already gone.

4. “Good Coins”

Good coins can be specifically defined as “Very Good” (12), “Good” and “Almost Good” coins.

The coins in this category are worn out.  Only weak designs can be observed since the details of the coins in the high points are nearly smooth.

Full rims must be observed on coins to be defined as the “Very Good” coins category.

For “Good” coins, the mint mark and date must be visible.

On the other hand, “Almost Good” coins are the most worn of coins in this category.

5. “Fair Coins”

The coins are basically worn out, but can still be distinguished as belonging to one of the types of coins; as long as one can identify a coin, it is a “Fair C”.

6. “Basal Coin”

These metals can be determined to be coins; however, the kind of coin is undeterminable.

With the descriptions of the above classifications, grading coins is a less daunting task. Just remember that knowledge of the coins’ grades gives coin collectors many advantages!