Coin Grading
The value of collector coins can vary enormously
(for what would otherwise be the same coin) depending on the grade, or state of
preservation, of the coin. In general, collectors are looking for nice
original examples of the coins that they collect in as high a grade as they can
reasonably afford.
Collectors use a numerical and descriptive grading scale that includes the
following major grades:
| Adjectival Grade | Numerical Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|
| About Good | AG-3 | A very heavily worn coin, with the rim typically worn into the lettering or design. |
| Good | G-4 to G-6 | A heavily worn coin, but still recognizable and collectible. |
| Very Good | VG-8 to VG-10 | A well-worn coin, with some design details faint. |
| Fine | F-12 to F-15 | Moderate to considerable even wear; major design details clear. |
| Very Fine | VF-20 to VF-30 | Light to moderate wear. |
| Extremely Fine | EF-40 to EF-45, also XF | Light wear; some mint luster may show. |
| About Uncirculated | AU-50 to AU-58 | Only slight wear; 50% or better mint luster. |
| Mint State | MS-60 to MS-70 | No wear; but may have contact marks or other impairments depending on the numerical grade from 60 (impaired) to 70 (perfect). |
Proof coins, made for collectors with specially
polished dies and coin blanks, also use the 70-point numerical scale with the
prefix "Prf." If a proof coin hasn't been circulated, the minimum grade
would be Prf-60.
You should consult a book on coin grading (such as the Official A.N.A.
Grading Standards for United States Coins) if you plan to buy or sell coins
on a regular basis.
Coin Cleaning
Almost all collectors desire nice "original" coins (meaning original surfaces,
not just an authentic coin) which haven't been harshly cleaned. Hairline
scratches from polishing may be OK on door knobs and silverware, but not on
coins. If you must clean a coin to remove harmful dirt or contamination,
you should use only non-abrasive liquid solvents, such as soap and distilled
water or rubbing alcohol. Even rubbing with a Q-tip can damage proof or
mint state coins. Although there are products available that remove
tarnish from coins, these liquids are actually chemical etches that also remove
a small amount of metal from the coin and dull the luster. They should be
used sparingly or not at all, and they should not be used on copper or nickel
coins. If you can see the coin's natural luster through the tarnish or
"toning," you probably should not attempt any kind of "dipping" to remove the
tarnish, although you can still use non-etching solvents to remove dirt or
contamination.
Collector coins should be handled only by the edge (over a soft surface in case
you drop the coin) to prevent getting fingerprints on the coin's surface.
This is especially important for coins grading AU-50 or better.
If you have valuable coins that you feel would benefit from a professional coin conservation service, please see:
 |
March 2002 ANA press release on this subject. |
|
Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) web site. |
