Wear
Circulation can flatten raised details. Wear is judged on the design and series, not age alone.
A collector's guide
What does a coin grade tell you?
A grade is a concise description of a coin's condition. Learn what specialists look at, how common terms compare, and where a number can leave questions unanswered.
Explore the grading scale
Beyond a number
How condition is assessed
A sound assessment looks at the whole coin. Lighting, magnification and the coin series all matter.
Strike
Some details may be weak from the original minting. A soft strike is not automatically circulation wear.
Surfaces
Marks, scratches, cleaning, corrosion, repairs and handling can change a coin's condition.
Lustre & eye appeal
Original mint lustre, colour and overall visual balance help complete the assessment.
The Sheldon numeric scale
Inside Mint State: 60-70
The slider is an illustration, not a grading tool. Every coin is judged individually, and grading-service terms can vary.
Condition example
A certified grade describes the coin examined, not every coin of the same date and type.
MS
Choice Mint State
A Mint State coin with attractive surfaces and marks that are minor or less distracting.
Mint StateMS60Top assigned gradeMS70
A higher number is not a price estimate. Rarity, demand, authenticity and market conditions also affect value.
Common British descriptions
Fine, VF, EF and UNC
These broad terms describe preservation. The exact boundary depends on the coin, series and standard being used.
Fine
Clear circulation wear; the main design remains identifiable.
Very Fine
Moderate wear, with more of the smaller design details still visible.
Extremely Fine
Light wear, often on the highest points; most detail remains sharp.
Uncirculated
No circulation wear, though marks, toning or a weak strike may still be present.
Independent certification
Authentication and grading are related, but not identical.
Third-party services may assess authenticity and condition, assign a grade, then seal accepted coins in a labelled holder. The holder helps protect the coin and carries its certification details.
A certificate records the service's opinion at the time of grading. It does not make a coin flawless or guarantee a future selling price. Check the named service and certificate record when one is provided.
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