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All About Coin Collecting: Grade Coins with Ease!
Coin collection is not just about having as many coins as
possible. More important than the number of coins is the quality
of those coins. This quality is measured by the coins’ grade and
the grade is measured using a scale from zero to seventy
(seventy being the highest point grade). Doctor William Shelby
introduced this point scale in his work “Penny Whimsy”.
Here are the classifications of coins according to grade.
1. “Mint State” Coins
This is equivalent to a value of 60 to 70 in the Shelby’s grade
scale. This means that the coin has no blemishes whatsoever.
Most of the coins in this category are uncirculated, shiny, new
coins, with absolutely no signs of wear.
2. “Almost Uncirculated” Coins
The “Almost Uncirculated” coins have a point grade of 50, 55, or
58.
It is very important to note that in these coins, coin
collectors must know the locations of the high points in a
particular coin. By checking the difference of the light
reflected in the high points to the other parts of the coin, an
“Almost Uncirculated” coin is separated from the Mint State
coins.
3. “Fine Coins”
These can further be classified as” Extremely Fine” (40, 45),
“Very Fine” (20, 25, 30, and 35) or “Fine” (12) depending on the
sharpness of the remaining details on the coins. The coins are
observed to have wear but the designs are still intact.
For “Extremely Fine” coins, the mint luster is still present.
“Very Fine” coins can be compared to coins which have been used
for 1-3 years. Minor features of the coins are already gone.
4. “Good Coins”
These coins can be specifically defined as “Very Good” (12),
“Good” and “Almost Good” coins.
The coins in this category are worn out. Only weak designs can
be observed since the details of the coins in the high points
are nearly smooth.
Full rims must be observed for the “Very Good” coins category.
In the case of “Good” coins, the mint mark and the date must be
visible.
On the other hand, “Almost Good” coins are the most worn of
coins in this category.
5. “Fair Coins”
The coins are “worn out”, but can still be distinguished as
belonging to one of the types of coins - as long as one can
identify a coin, it is a “Fair C”.
6. “Basal Coin”
These metals that can be determined to be coins - but the kind
of coin are undeterminable.
With the classifications described, it will be very easy to
grade coins. Just remember that knowledge of the coins’ grades
gives coin collectors advantages!