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The Sheldon Coin Grading Scale is a widely recognized and internationally accepted system for evaluating the condition and quality of coins. Dr. William Herbert Sheldon developed the scale in 1948 to grade large U.S. cents, and it was later modified in the 1970s to apply to a wider range of coins.
Using a 70-point scale, the Sheldon Coin Grading Scale ranges from 1 to 70, with higher grades indicating better condition and quality, and thus, higher value. The scale considers various factors that affect a coin’s condition, such as wear and tear, luster, strike, and any visible flaws.
Grading a coin involves a detailed examination of its edges, surfaces, and lettering, with a grading expert assigning a score for each area based on the overall quality of the coin. The resulting grade determines the coin’s value in the market.
Coins with a grade of “poor” or “fair” are heavily worn or damaged, with little detail visible. Those with a grade of “good” or “very good” show more detail but still exhibit significant wear. Coins graded as “fine” or “very fine” display moderate wear but retain most of their original detail.
Coins graded as “extremely fine,” “about uncirculated,” or “uncirculated” are in excellent condition, with minimal wear and no major flaws. These coins are highly desirable to collectors and investors and can command a high price in the market.
Original Sheldon Scale (1948)
In 1948, the original Sheldon Scale was presented by William H. Sheldon for grading large cents but didn’t include enough detail in application for widespread use.
| # | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4, 5, 6 | Good |
| 7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
| 12, 15 | Fine |
| 20, 30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
Adapted Scale (1970–Present)
Slightly modified grading standards was added in 1970, most common coin grades are as follows:
Circulated grades
| # | Grade | Codes | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poor | PO | Coin should be identifiable as to type, date and mintmark. |
| 2 | Fair | FR | Coin is worn flat, with only traces of lettering visible in coin. |
| 3 | About Good | AG | Rims worn into lettering but most lettering remains readable in coin. |
| 4 | Good | G, G4 | Rims mostly full but may be flat or slightly worn into top letter in spots. |
| 6 | Choice Good | G+, G6 | Rims and top lettering full but design flat and visible only in outline form. |
| 8 | Very Good | VG, VG8 | Most central detail worn flat. Some inner lettering in coin still visible. Rims remain full. |
| 10 | Choice Very Good | VG+, VG10 | Considerable wear flattened most of the fine detail in coin. Most lettering remains readable. |
| 12 | Fine | F, F12 | About half of detail in coin worn flat. All lettering remains visible. |
| 15 | Choice Fine | F+, F15 | Slightly more detail visible in the recessed areas of the coin. |
| 20 | Very Fine | VF, VF20 | Moderate wear on the higher surface features of the coin. |
| 25 | Very Fine | VF25 | Entire coin surface shows some wear, but major design features remain clear and visible. |
| 30 | Choice Very Fine | Ch.VF, VF+, VF30 | Wear now evident over entire surface of the coin. Intricate detail beginning to flatten. |
| 35 | Choice Very Fine | Ch. VF, VF+, VF35 | Light wear is seen over entire surface of the coin, though all major detail still visible. |
| 40 | Extremely Fine | Ex. Fine, EF40 | All design elements still visible, high points now worn flat. Little to no luster remains on the coin. |
| 45 | Choice Extremely Fine | Ch. Ex. Fine, EF45 | High points of design show light wear on the coin. Luster may still be visible in few areas. |
| 50 | About Uncirculated | AU, AU50 | Small traces of wear at the highest points of the coin. Half of the original mint luster remains. |
| 55 | Choice About Uncirculated | Ch. AU, AU55 | Three-fourths of the original mint luster remains on the coin. |
| 58 | Choice About Uncirculated | Ch. AU, AU58 | Almost all of the original mint luster remains on the coin. |
Uncirculated Grades
| # | Grade | Codes | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | Mint State 60 | MS60 | No wear on coin. poorly struck with many heavy marks or hairlines. |
| 61 | Mint State 61 | MS61 | No wear on coin, with average or weak strike. Heavy marks or hairlines allowed. |
| 62 | Mint State 62 | MS62 | No wear on coin, with average or below average strike. Numerous marks or hairlines. |
| 63 | Mint State 63 | MS63 | Average or slightly weak strike with moderate marks or hairlines on coin. |
| 64 | Mint State 64 | MS64 | Average or better strike with scattered marks or hairlines, though none severe on coin. |
| 65 | Mint State 65 | MS65 | Above average strike with minor marks or hairlines, mostly out of focal areas. |
| 66 | Mint State 66 | MS66 | Well struck with a few marks or hairlines, not in focal areas on coin. |
| 67 | Mint State 67 | MS67 | Very well struck with minor imperfections visible without magnification. |
| 68 | Mint State 68 | MS68 | Only the slightest weakness in strike with a few tiny imperfections barely visible. |
| 69 | Mint State 69 | MS69 | Fully struck with miniscule imperfections visible upon close inspection. |
| 70 | Mint State 70 | MS70 | Fully struck and lustrous, free of visual marks. |
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