Coin Grading Guide

The Sheldon scale (1–70) is the standard for US coin grading. Click any grade range to see detailed descriptions. Third-party grading services like PCGS and NGC use this scale.

P
F
VF
EF
AU
MS
P-1MS-70
P–G
Poor / Fair / About Good / Good
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GradeAbbrDescription
P-1P (Poor)Barely identifiable. Date and type just barely visible.
F-2F (Fair)Heavily worn. Only type and date visible.
AG-3AG (About Good)Very heavily worn. Outline still clear. Date visible but worn.
G-4/6G (Good)Heavily worn. Design visible but flat. Major features outline only.
VG–F
Very Good / Fine
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GradeAbbrDescription
VG-8/10VG (Very Good)Well worn but main features clear. Some details visible.
F-12/15F (Fine)Moderate uniform wear over high points. All major features sharp.
VF–EF
Very Fine / Extremely Fine
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GradeAbbrDescription
VF-20/25/30/35VF (Very Fine)Light to moderate wear on high points. All major features sharp. Complete detail in most areas.
EF-40/45EF/XF (Extremely Fine)Light wear on high points only. All design elements sharp and clear. Traces of mint luster visible.
AU
About Uncirculated
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GradeDescription
AU-50Slight wear on high points. Half or more of mint luster present.
AU-55Barest evidence of wear on highest points. Most of mint luster present.
AU-58Slight friction on highest points. Nearly complete mint luster.
MS
Mint State (Uncirculated)
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GradeDescription
MS-60No wear. May have heavy contact marks, hairlines, or blemishes. Poor eye appeal.
MS-62No wear. Numerous contact marks. Below average strike/luster.
MS-63Choice Uncirculated. Some distracting marks or blemishes in focal areas.
MS-64Choice Uncirculated. Slightly more than average marks/blemishes.
MS-65Gem Uncirculated. Strong luster, sharp strike, minimal marks. Very desirable.
MS-66Gem+. Above average strike/luster. A few small marks in secondary focal areas only.
MS-67Superb Gem. High quality in all areas. Virtually perfect except for tiny blemishes.
MS-68Nearly perfect. Very slight, minor flaws only.
MS-69Perfect to the eye. Only microscopic imperfections.
MS-70Perfect Uncirculated. No marks visible under 5× magnification. Extremely rare.