Coin grading is the process of evaluating a coin's condition and assigning it a numerical grade. This standardized system helps collectors and dealers accurately describe and price coins.
The Sheldon Scale
The Sheldon scale ranges from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect). The scale is divided into categories:
Mint State (MS-60 to MS-70) - MS-70: Perfect, no imperfections even under magnification - MS-69: Near perfect, virtually flawless - MS-67/68: Superb gem with minor imperfections - MS-65/66: Gem quality, attractive - MS-63/64: Choice, noticeable but light contact marks - MS-60/62: Uncirculated, heavier marks allowed
About Uncirculated (AU-50 to AU-58) Slight wear on high points, most mint luster remains.
Extremely Fine (XF-40 to XF-45) Light wear on high points, all design details visible.
Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35) Moderate wear on high points, major details clear.
Fine (F-12 to F-15) Even wear, all design elements visible but some details flat.
Proof Grades
Proof coins use a separate scale (PF or PR) from PF-1 to PF-70, evaluating the quality of specially struck coins meant for collectors.