Complete Guide to Professional Coin Grading
Understanding coin grading is essential for collectors and investors who want to accurately determine coin value. Furthermore, the Sheldon Scale remains the gold standard for professional numismatic assessment, and Elite Coin Group is here to guide you through every grade from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70).
Created by Dr. William H. Sheldon in 1949, this evaluation system revolutionized numismatics by providing a standardized method to evaluate coins objectively. Today, professional grading services like PCGS and NGC use the Sheldon Scale as the foundation for all coin authentication.
Proper grade assessment directly impacts your investment decisions. Moreover, understanding these factors helps you make informed choices:
Whether you are interested in precious metals IRAs or building a personal collection, understanding grading is fundamental to making informed decisions.
MS-70 (Perfect Uncirculated)
A flawless coin with perfect luster, strike, and eye appeal. Consequently, no contact marks, hairlines, or imperfections appear even under 5x magnification. MS-70 coins are exceptionally rare and command premium prices.
MS-69 (Superb Gem)
Nearly perfect condition with only one or two minuscule imperfections visible under magnification. Additionally, these coins feature outstanding luster and strike quality.
MS-68 to MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated)
High-quality uncirculated coins with minimal contact marks. Furthermore, excellent luster, strong strike, and attractive eye appeal make these investment-quality coins.
MS-64 to MS-60 (Uncirculated)
Uncirculated coins with noticeable contact marks and possible weak strikes. However, they still retain full mint luster but show more imperfections than higher grades.
About Uncirculated (AU-58 to AU-50)
Light wear on the highest points of the coin design. Specifically, AU-58 shows just a trace of wear with nearly full luster. These coins maintain strong detail and are popular with collectors seeking value.
Extremely Fine (EF-45, EF-40)
Light wear across the entire coin with all major design elements sharp and well-defined. Moreover, approximately 90-95% of original mint luster may remain on EF-45 coins.
Very Fine (VF-35 to VF-20)
Moderate wear on high points with all major design features clearly visible. As a result, coins in VF condition show good detail and are often collectible on a budget.
Fine (F-15, F-12)
Considerable wear with major design elements still visible and identifiable. Nevertheless, lettering and date remain clear, showing history while maintaining collectible value.
Very Good to Poor (VG-10 to P-1)
Well-worn to heavily worn coins with decreasing detail visibility. Importantly, these lower grades can still hold significant value for rare dates and varieties.
When evaluating coins, experts assess five key factors. Understanding these criteria helps you evaluate your own collection more accurately:
The relationship between grade and value is exponential, not linear. For example, consider how dramatically value increases for a Morgan Silver Dollar:
| Grade | Approximate Value |
|---|---|
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | $35 |
| MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) | $150 |
| MS-67 (Superb Gem) | $3,500+ |
This dramatic value increase at higher grades emphasizes the importance of accurate assessment and professional authentication for valuable coins. Consequently, investing in professional grading often pays for itself many times over.
Elite Coin Group specializes in helping collectors understand numismatic grading, build valuable collections, and make informed buying and selling decisions. Contact us today for free appraisal consultations, professional grading assistance, and expert numismatic advice.
