http://www.deathandtaxesinc.com/gem-uncirculated/
The Coin Grading System
The Coin Grading System
by Robert L Taylor, JD
Coin grading is a term used to refer to the process of determining the condition or quality of a coin, and its full identity. It is essential to know what the grade is of a particular coin, because, as a general matter, the higher the grade of a coin, the higher its numismatic value.
Coins are graded on a 0-70 point scale devised by Dr William Shelby. The details can be found in the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins published by the American Numismatic Association (ANA). Under this method of grading, the higher the point scale accorded a particular coin, the better its quality.
The process of grading a coin is partly subjective and partly an art, rather than a true science. Accurate grading requires many years of skill and experience. However, determining an approximate grade is possible for even the novice coin collector.
The basic point scales that define coin grades, are as follows:
1. Mint State Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70)
Mint state uncirculated coin in perfect condition, showing no traces of wear, and no blemishes, scratches, handling or contact with other coins. The best quality coin possible.
2. Choice (Gem) Uncirculated (MS-65-69)
An above average uncirculated coin which retains all of the original mint brilliance or luster, and has a very few contact marks on the surface or rim, which are barely noticeable.
3. Brilliant Uncirculated or BU (MS-60-64)
An uncirculated coin having no traces of wear but which has a few contact marks, surface spotting or lacks some of its original luster.
4. Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55 & 58)
A coin having very light wear on only the highest points of the design but no other defects and with most of its luster remaining.
5. About Uncirculated (AU-50)
Coin has evidence of light wear on many of the high points but at least half of the mint luster is still present.
6. Extremely Fine (EF-40)
The coin design is lightly worn in most places but all the features remain sharp and well defined.
7. Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
Light even wear on the surface and highest parts of the design but most major features and the lettering are sharp.
8. Very Fine (VF-20)
Minor features such as some of the finer hair detail, feathers, etc. will be moderately worn. Shows moderate wear on high points of design. All major details are clear.
9. Fine (F-12)
Moderate to considerable even wear over most features and the lettering. A lot of the details are worn through but you can still see a good deal of the design. 10. Very Good (VG-8)
The entire design is weak, but a few details are visible. Well worn throughout but coin rims still visible.
11. Good (G-4)
Heavily worn but design and legend still visible although quite weak in spots. Many details are gone.
12. About Good (AG-3)
Very heavily worn with portions of lettering, date and legends worn smooth and barely discernable.
Have fun collecting your Perfect Coins!
Robert L Taylor, JD
Copyright 2006 Robert L Taylor, JD
About the Author
Robert Taylor is a 59 year old retired Lawyer, from Denver, CO, who spent most of his career representing people who could not afford an attorney, and who has had a passion for collecting US coins, particularly Morgan Dollars, since the age of 6. Wanting to share his Passion, he created http://www.ThePerfect-Coin.Com which features US Rare and Modern Dollars (from 1878) and Coins (from 1960 to 2000), all Certified and Graded by NGC or PCGS.
For Beginning Coin Collectors, he then created http://www.Beginning-Coin-Collecting.Com which features US Modern Coins, from 1960 to 2000, that are high quality BU, Certified and Slabbed Coins that are all priced less than $10 per coin.
Amazing bank roll finds
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1964 NGC MS66 Silver Washington Quarter Gem+ Uncirculated 004 $39.99 |
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1945S LINCOLN CENTS PCGS MS66RD SUPERB GEM RED UNCIRCULATED 042 24 B29 $50.00 |
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1958 SILVER 25c NGC MS66 SUPERB GEM UNCIRCULATED WASHINGTON QUARTER 008 18 B29 $55.00 |
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1949S LINCOLN CENTS PCGS MS66RD SUPERB GEM RED UNCIRCULATED 453 27 B29 $55.00 |
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3 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $102.50 |
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1953 $5 Five Dollar Silver Certificate BLUE SEAL GEM 65 HIGH GRADE UNCIRCULATED $15.51 |
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5 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $167.51 |
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GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED 1935 SILVER WASHINGTON QUARTER $59.95 |
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2 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $66.22 |
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1978 Tokelau Islands Tala Gem Brilliant Uncirculated First Coin 10k Minted km#1 $13.20 |
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1884-P Morgan Dollar BU Silver US Coin Rare Date key GEM Details Uncirculated $125.00 |
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UNCIRCULATED CH/GEM BU ” FILLED 2 ” VAM 1902O MORGAN SILVER DOLLAR COIN 1902 O $79.00 |
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★ 1891-S Morgan Silver Dollar GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! ★ $265.00 |
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1881-S Liberty Gold Eagle $10 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $1,365.00 |
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1883 24K Gold Plated Liberty V Nickel GEM BU SHARP Uncirculated Coin No CENTS $49.00 |
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1980 Sierra Leone 1 Leone km#36 Gem Brilliant Uncirculated 75k minted $9.06 |
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1943 Steel Lincoln Cent US Penny Superb GEM+ Uncirculated MS 8183 $29.99 |
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1889 Three Cent Nickel – Gem Brilliant Uncirculated $795.00 |
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3 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $102.66 |
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Gem BU 1974-S Eisenhower 40% Silver Dollar – Brilliant Uncirculated Condition $12.99 |
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Gem BU 1976-S Eisenhower 40% Silver Dollar – Brilliant Uncirculated Condition $13.99 |
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1962 5 CRUZEIROS BRAZIL CURRENCY NOTE BILL GEM UNCIRCULATED BANKNOTE MONEY CASH $0.76 |
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1857 Flying Eagle Cent..Uncirculated..Gem Mintstate MS++++..Sensational~ $1,475.00 |
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2003-A $1 New York (B) “Star Note” Gem Uncirculated 67 $9.99 |
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5 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $168.27 |
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1892 GEM MS Uncirculated RB Indian Cent DIAMONDS! US Penny 1C RED BROWN $129.99 |
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Peru – 1916-FG 1/2 Dinero – SUPERB GEM MINT STATE BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $29.00 |
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1916-S Red/Brown Lincoln Cent US Penny GEM Uncirculated MS $179.99 |
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1919-S GEM+ Lincoln Cent US Penny Uncirculated MS $309.99 |
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Gem Brilliant Uncirculated Morgan Silver Dollar United States Mint Coin $69.95 |
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2 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $66.09 |
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1904-O DMPL GEM+ Morgan Silver Dollar $1 DMP Uncirculated US Silver Coin $349.99 |
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★ 1922-S Peace Silver Dollar GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! ★ $335.00 |
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1952-D ROOSEVELT DIME BEAUTY GEM UNCIRCULATED CHECK THE TORCH LINES SLABBED $4.99 |
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1944 Lincoln Cent US Penny Coin Superb GEM Uncirculated Red MS+ $89.99 |
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1946 WASHINGTON SILVER QUARTER – GEM BU UNCIRCULATED – FREE SHIP – G66 $22.45 |
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3 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $105.16 |
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1945 PCGS MS65 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM Uncirculated US Silver Coin $39.99 |
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$10 1995 FRN CHICAGO DISTRICT GEM UNCIRCULATED NOTE $18.99 |
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$1 1954 BANK OF CANADA NOTE GEM UNCIRCULATED $16.99 |
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$1 1967 BANK OF CANADA NOTE GEM UNCIRCULATED $10.99 |
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1946-S PCGS MS65 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM Uncirculated US Silver 0675 $39.99 |
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$1 1973 BANK OF CANADA NOTE GEM UNCIRCULATED 1 OF 2 TONIGHT $7.99 |
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$1 1973 BANK OF CANADA NOTE GEM UNCIRCULATED 2 OF 2 TONIGHT $7.99 |
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1948 PCGS MS66 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM Uncirculated US Silver Coin 4947 $57.99 |
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1942-S LIBERTY WALKING HALF BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED GEM PRICE REDUCED $59.99 |
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1946-P ROOSEVELT DIME BEAUTY GEM GRADE UNCIRCULATED CHECK THE TONING SLABBED $4.99 |
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5 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $167.51 |
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1981 S JEFFERSON NICKLE UNCIRCULATED GEM CAMEO PROOF L#376..SEE MORE COINS! $2.99 |
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RARE 1950 D JEFFERSON NICKEL, GEM BRIGHT UNCIRCULATED. $2.28 |
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1954 PCGS MS66 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM Uncirculated US Silver Coin 1750 $49.99 |
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2000 S JEFFERSON NICKLE UNCIRCULATED GEM CAMEO PROOF L#373..SEE MORE COINS HERE! $2.99 |
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1941 Red Superb GEM Lincoln Cent US Penny Coin Uncirculated MS+ 932 $19.99 |
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YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC 1979 20 RIALS BANKNOTE GEM CRISP UNCIRCULATED! $35.00 |
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YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC 1979 100 RIALS BANKNOTES GEM CRISP UNCIRCULATED! $100.00 |
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YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC 1979 100 RIALS BANKNOTE GEM CRISP UNCIRCULATED! $25.00 |
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YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC 1979 20 RIALS BANKNOTES GEM CRISP UNCIRCULATED! $125.00 |
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SWITZERLAND REPUBLIC 1955-B 20 RAPPEN COIN, GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED! $39.00 |
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1958 NGC MS66 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM+ Uncirculated US Silver Coin 006 $39.99 |
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2012 AMERICAN SILVER EAGLE—GEM-BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION w/air-tite $33.55 |
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1958 PCGS MS66 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM+ Uncirculated US Silver Coin 1550 $48.99 |
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MACAU 1952 10 AVOS COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED, LOT OF 100 $295.00 |
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1958 PCGS MS66 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM+ Uncirculated US Silver Coin 5806 $48.99 |
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MACAU 1952 1 PATACA SILVER COINS GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $359.00 |
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SWEDEN 1961-TS 2 KRONOR GEM BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED $25.00 |
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KURDISTAN 2003 10 DINARS COIN GEM UNCIRCULATED $59.00 |
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MACAU 1952 5 PATACAS SILVER COIN GEM UNCIRCULATED $35.00 |
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MACAU 1952 50 AVOS COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED, LOT OF 10 $75.00 |
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MACAU 1952 10 AVOS COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED, LOT OF 50 $195.00 |
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MACAU 1971 5 PATACAS SILVER COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED $199.00 |
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MACAU 1952 1 PATACA SILVER COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED, ALL FANTASTIC! $359.00 |
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MACAU 1952 10 AVOS COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED, LOT OF 250 $495.00 |
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PERU REPUBLIC 1941 1 CENTAVO COINS, ALL UNCIRCULATED GEMS $35.00 |
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2012 AMERICAN SILVER EAGLE—GEM-BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION w/air-tite $31.01 |
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MACAU 1952 50 AVOS COINS GEM UNCIRCULATED, LOT OF 250 $995.00 |
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2 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $67.09 |
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1930-D LINCOLN CENT PENNY CHOICE UNCIRCULATED+ / GEM RED NICE ORIGINAL COIN $95.00 |
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1938-D Buffalo Nickel – Gem Brilliant Uncirculated $54.00 |
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★ 1925-D Indian Gold Quarter Eagle $2.50 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! ★ $565.00 |
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1926-S Peace Silver Dollar – PCGS MS65 – Rare GEM Uncirculated Dollar! $965.00 |
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1857 Flying Eagle Cent 1C – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $765.00 |
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PCGS MS64 RD 1919 RED Lincoln Cent 1c Near Gem Penny Uncirculated 6835 $119.99 |
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★ 1879 Morgan Silver Dollar GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! ★ $335.00 |
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3 2012 1 Ounce American Silver Eagle GEM BU Coins 999 Fine Silver Uncirculated $102.50 |
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★ 1923-S Peace Silver Dollar GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! ★ $345.00 |
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1874 Indian Gold Dollar G$1 – GEM BU – RARE MS Uncirculated Coin! $745.00 |
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1930 1c PCGS MS64RB NEAR GEM UNCIRCULATED 015 17 B24 $35.00 |
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1949 Lincoln Cent US Penny Coin Superb GEM Uncirculated Red MS+ $9.99 |
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1940 NGC MS65 Washington Quarter 25c GEM Uncirculated $44.99 |
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1953-S NGC MS67 Silver Washington Quarter Superb Gem Uncirculated $197.99 |
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1956-D NGC MS66 Washington Quarter SIlver 25c GEM+ Uncirculated 040 $47.99 |
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1956-D NGC MS66 Washington Quarter SIlver 25c GEM+ Uncirculated 072 $62.99 |
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1940-S NGC MS66 * COLORS * Washington Quarter 25c GEM+ Uncirculated $99.99 |
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1949 PCGS MS66 Washington Quarter 25 Cents GEM+ Uncirculated US Silver Coin $107.99 |
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1942 NGC MS66RD RED Lincoln Cent OLD HOLDER 1c GEM Uncirculated $35.99 |
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1950-D * RAINBOW * NGC MS66 Washington Quarter 25c GEM+ Uncirculated $43.99 |
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1948 MS67 Silver Washington Quarter Superb Gem+ Uncirculated $124.99 |
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1936-D NGC MS66RD RED Lincoln Cent 1c GEM Uncirculated $39.99 |
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2006 NGC GEM UNCIRCULATED Silver Eagle S$1 FIRST STRIKES LABEL N/R! $36.00 |
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Superb Gem 1898-O Morgan Silver Dollar $1 Uncirculated $179.99 |