Global Grading Equivalency Chart

Adjectives	Good	Very Good	Fine	Very Fine	Extra Fine	About Uncirculated	Uncirculated	Brilliant Uncirculatd
Percentage of Design Remaining on Coin	10% Most of Details Worn	25%	50%	75%	90%	95%+ Some Luster	100%+ Luster	100% Full Luster
America Grading	G / 4	VG / 8	F / 12	VF /20	EF / 40	AU / 50	MS / 60	MS /63/ 65

U.K. Grading	G	VG	F	VF	XF	XF/UNC	UNC	UNC
French Grading	TBC Trés Bien	B Beau	TB Trés Beau	TTB Trés Trés Beau	SUP Superbe	No Use	SPL	FDC Fleur de Coin
Spanish Grading	RC	BC	BC+	MBC	EBC	No Use	SC	FDC
Italian Grading	M	B Bello	MB Molto Bello	BB Bellissimo	SPL Splendido	No Use	SPL/FDC	FDC
German Grading	GE (VI)	SGE (V)	S (IV)	SS (III)	VZ (II)	No Use	STGL (I) Stempelglanz	PP
Scandinavian Grading	2	1 -	1	1+	01	No Use	0	0
Netherlands Grading	G	(Z.g.) Zeer Goed	(Fr.) Fraai	(Z.f.) Zeer Fraai	(Pr.) Prachtig	No Use	FDC Fleur de Coin	FDC Fleur de Coin +
Portugal Grading	REG	MREG	BC	MBC	Bela	No Use	Soberba

COIN GRADING STANDARDS : GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED

PERFECT MINT STATE : MS-70 : is a theoretical perfection. To achieve such a grade, the planchet will have to have been perfectly formed, and have flawless, lint-free surfaces. The dies will have to have been in new condition and raised from unworn masters, and the dies will have had no lint, dust, oil or other contaminants on their surfaces. The coining press will have been perfectly adjusted to give a full strike to the coin, which will then have received no marks upon being ejected from the press, nor in its slide down the chutes and sorting tables/grids and into a receiving bin. Nor will it have been marred by all the other coins following it into the bin, nor from the dumping and counting into bags for distribution. Such a coin is not possible. We are dealing here with an automated process that manufactures "Business Strikes" intended for daily commerce.

SPECIMEN PROOF : (SP-70 or PF-70) : Although very rarely seen, these are attainable grades, since Specimens and Proofs are generally double struck on specially prepared, polished blanks using specially prepared dies on a slow, high pressure press, and the pieces are immediately hand picked off the press with gloved hands and carefully placed in protective holders.

SUPERB MINT STATE : (MS-67):Pieces of this quality will immediately catch the experienced eye and will appear as perfect coins to most other graders. They are distinguished by their full (or very nearly full) strike, superb, virtually flawless surfaces and superb luster. If there are any shortcomings or detractions, they are not initially obvious, but will be discovered only after extensive study under magnification. These are exceptional pieces, rarely seen.

GEM MINT STATE : (MS-65) :There is a definite look of quality to an MS-65 coin that easily distinguishes it from lower grades of Mint State. On initial examination, with the naked eye, the piece will appear nearly perfect. A more detailed examination will uncover minor flaws. The strike will be at least typical for the series, if not better. The surfaces will have only slight marks that will not distract from the overall appeal of the coin, and the luster will usually be better than that typically seen on Mint State coins of its type. Quite often, one of these factors will be well above the required level and will compensate for another factor which is a bit below standard. Virtually flawless surfaces may, for example make up for subdued luster or a slightly weak strike.

CHOICE MINT STATE : (MS-63): Generally speaking, this can be thought of as a nice example of Mint State coin which does not meet the strict quality requirements of an MS-65. An MS-63 coin will be an attractive and quite typical example of a new coin of its type with a strike that is typical for the series. There will be a number of surface marks, but not too many, too large nor too awkwardly placed so as to be a distraction. And, while the luster is usually attractive, it may be somewhat subdued or there may be some dull areas. Frequently, an MS-63 coin is an MS-65 coin that has a slight "problem" such as "one hit too many". Also very often, one grading factor will be of a high quality not normally seen at this grade and will compensate for a weaker factor, such as superb luster balancing a weak strike, or near flawless surfaces outweighing diminished luster.

TYPICAL MINT STATE : (MS-60) : The surfaces of an MS-60 coin will often have what is typically described as a "baggy" look, with a numerous "bag marks" or "hits" of varying sizes depending on the softness of the coin’s metal. And, while it is usual to expect an MS-60 to look a bit beat-up, if any of the hits are unusually large or deep, they need to be described separately. The strike may be soft or weak in one or more areas, and the luster may be impaired by a dullness from over dipping and be much less than expected on a new coin of its type. There is, however, no wear on the surfaces of the coin.

VERY CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED : AU-58 : There are only the slightest traces of wear visible on the highest points of the coin, frequently, they are little more than luster breaks. A light halo of hair lining might be visible as the coin is rotated in the light, and there may be a few rubs in the larger fields.

CHOICE ABOUT UNCIRCULATED : AU-55 : There are only small traces of wear visible on the highest points of the coin. Wear often occurs in different spots on different designs, and the larger fields will show some surface disruptions, however much of the original luster is intact.

ABOUT UNCIRCULATED : AU-50 : There are traces of wear on most of the higher areas of the designs and considerable disruption is seen in the larger fields. At least half of the original mint luster is present.

CHOICE EXTREMELY FINE : EF-45 : There is a very light overall wear on the coin’s higher points, though all of the design details are very sharp. Mint luster is still prominent on many areas of the coin’s surface, though mainly in protected areas.

EXTREMELY FINE : EF-40 or XF-40 : There is light wear on the high points of the designs, but there is still an excellent overall sharpness. Considerable mint luster will still show in the protected areas.

VERY FINE PLUS : VF-30 :There is a light even wear on all but the most protected surfaces, and the details on the high points are worn, though there is still some sharpness to the major design features and lettering. Traces of original mint luster remain in the most protected areas.

VERY FINE : VF-20 : There is moderate wear on all of the high parts of the coin and the designs and lettering have lost much of their sharpness. The original mint luster is virtually gone.

FINE : F-12 : There is moderate to considerable even wear and although the original designs are recognizable and all lettering visible, they have some weaknesses and lack details.

VERY GOOD : VG-8 : This is a well worn piece with most of the larger details of the designs being worn nearly smooth.

GOOD : G-4 : This is a heavily worn piece with all major designs visible, though in little more than outline shapes with very little central detail. There may be faintness in some areas, but most lettering should be readable.

ABOUT GOOD : AG-3 : This is a very heavily worn coin with portions of the lettering, date and legends being worn smooth and the date may be barely readable.

HERE ARE OTHER DESCRIPTIVE ABBREVIATIONS USED TO DESCRIBE THE COIN(s) :
   Lt=light, dk=dark, to denote toning. lge=large, sm=small,
   EK=edge knock (thus sek=small edge knock), RN=rim nick, RB
   or ER rim or edge bruise. scr=scratch, RM(S)=bagmark(s),
   sfm(s)= surface marks. Flk=flecking, corr=corrosion,
   clnd=cleaned, smtm=sometime, adf mks = adjustment or
   correction marks made before striking. Lst=lustre, slt=slight
   tr=trace (thus tr.Lst= trace of luster) C.o.I.=case of issue.
   Commem= commemorative issue, No=number, R(no)=rarity
   English Silver Coins uses RI-R7, Freeman bronze coins RI -R20.

HERE ARE REFERENCE BOOK ABBREVIATIONS WE USED TO CATALOGUE THE COINS ON OUR SITE :

COINS

CH=Charlton, HBY=Haxby, Y=Yeoman,C=Craig, Dav=Davenport, ESC= English Silver Coins,
F=Freeman, KM=Krause(Mishler), P=Peck, S or Sb=Seaby,
RC/CC Roman/Greek coins by Sear. RIC=Roman Imperial Coinage, RSC=Roman Silver Coins by Seaby.
N=North (Hammered) Sj= Schjoth Chinese Coins.

   TOKENS
CH=Charlton, B=Bell unofficial 1/4d Da=Davis 19th Cent. DH=Dalton &    Hamer, 18th Cent Sch=Schwer 19th Cent. W= Williamson 17th Cent.
D=Dickenson 17th Cent (Note W & D use the same reference
   numbers and therefore are interchangeable)

   MEDALLIONS
BHM= British Historical Medals, MI=Medallic Illustrations of
British History, E=Eimer, F=Fearon published by Spink,
W=Wollaston, British Coronation Medals

CURRENCY GRADING STANDARDS : GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED

CRISP UNCIRCULATED : CU or UNC : This is a brand new note and should be in the same condition as when it left the printing press. A note that has never been in circulation may have minor defects or impairments, such as bad centering, pinholes or finger smudge. These impairments should be mentioned when describing the note. If such impairments are outstanding, the note should be described as a grade lower. Very often the word "crisp" is used alone to describe the condition of a note. This is meaningless; as all notes from very fine to uncirculated should be crisp.

ALMOST UNCIRCULATED : AU : This is usually considered to be a new note that has never been circulated or been used as money. It may have encountered one or two minor impairments through accident or mishandling; such as finger smudge or crinkles from counting, a light fold, edge impairment or pinholes. Not more than one or two such impairments are permitted for this grade.

EXTREMELY FINE : EF or XF : A note in this condition shows very little circulation or wear. It can have a combination of any three or four of the impairments mentioned in the AU notes.

VERY FINE : VF : A very fine note had had some circulation. It must still be clean and crisp. It cannot be damaged by tears, stains, or creases that have worn into important parts of the design. Fine to Very Fine condition is still considered to be average circulated.

FINE : F : A fine note is generally clean and may have some crispness left. It will show more than average wear or circulation. Tears, missing corners and bad stains or holes are permitted, unless they are cancellations (e.g., Confederate currency) and described as such.

VERY GOOD : VG : A very good note shows heavy wear or circulation. It may have heavy creases and be lightly soiled. No missing corners, bad stains or holes (larger than a pinhole) are permitted, unless they are cancellations and described as such.

GOOD : G : Notes in good condition are generally the lowest grading acceptable for a collector. The note may show excessive wear and have stains. It may have frayed edges or tears that do not enter into the design. Small holes may be allowed if they do not enter the portrait or principal design. Generally, it is not recommended that notes in this condition be collected unless they are scarce, rare or of particular interest.

FAIR : FR : Notes in this grade; if extremely rare or otherwise unobtainable in a higher grade, are acceptable as "space fillers." They may have to remain "forever" if another in better grade can never be obtained; which is sometimes the case.