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Coin Values

Looking for the value of a specific coin? Click here to view our list of coin values.

Coin Grading

One of the most important factors in establishing the value of a coin is its grade.

Collectors and dealers use what is commonly known as the “Mint State” system which is a 70 point scale of condition determined mostly by the amount of wear, if any, original surfaces and contact marks, scratches or other damage. For uncirculated, or “mint” coins, factors like strike, luster and contact marks are the most important. Coloring or toning can be a big plus or minus, depending upon its appeal to the individual collector.

Grades for uncirculated or Mint State coins are:

MS-70
A perfect coin with a full strike, luster and no imperfections such as contact marks, hairline scratches or defects in the planchet or blank. This grade is usually seen only on modern coins. The grades MS-66 through MS-69 are used for coins of modern or vintage manufacture that have just the slightest imperfections preventing them from being MS-70. Scarce and rare coins will have significant differences in value between these high mint state grades, and are quite often submitted to the professional grading services for a more accurate determination of their grade, in addition to their authenticity.
MS-65
Often referred to as “Gem B.U.” (Brilliant Uncirculated), a coin in this grade will have an excellent strike, original luster and only one or two small contact marks. Toning that is not distasteful or distracting is allowed, and often adds to the value for some collectors.
MS-64
A coin that has a few too many contact marks on the main devices or in the fields to be considered an MS-65. It may be poorly struck or unattractively toned or have numerous small scratches that show on the high points or focal areas of the coin.
MS-63
Sometimes called “Choice B.U.”, MS-63 coins will have just a few contact marks in the focal areas of the coin, or be poorly struck or unattractively toned, as with the MS64, but to a higher degree.
MS-60
Commonly referred to as “B.U.”, coins in this grade usually have many contact marks, weak strike or impaired luster. Heavy toning that is not attractive may also be present. There is, however, no trace of wear on the highest points of the coin, only contact marks, or the slightest friction from contact with other coins in a roll. Coins that have fewer of these flaws, but are not up to MS-63 standards will be graded MS-61 or MS-62 by most professional grading services.

Grades of circulated coins are:

A.U.
Almost, or About Uncirculated is a relatively new term used for coins that look uncirculated, but upon closer inspection have just the slightest wear on the highest points. They may have few or many contact marks, full or ‘broken’ luster and unattractive or no toning. Often called “slider B.U.” coins, A.U. coins are widely collected due to their lower cost. The grades AU-50, AU-53, AU-55 and AU-58 are used for coins that have various degrees wear or imperfections. Many coins graded A.U. today were called X.F. in the early days of collecting, and the A.U. grade was created to separate those borderline uncirculated pieces into their own class.
X.F.
Extremely, or Extra Fine grade coins have noticeable, but still very little wear on the high points and often exhibit no original luster. On the Mint State system, coins in this grade can be labeled XF-45 and XF-40, the ’45 being a better looking piece within the grade.
V.F.
Very Fine coins show moderate wear on high points and range from VF-20 to VF-35, with 25 and 30 designations sometimes given.
F.
The grade of Fine is often a dividing line for higher-grade circulated collections. A coin graded Fine will show considerable wear, but still have most of the design elements outlined and the lettering separated from the rim, fully readable. Coins in Fine can be Fine-12 or Fine-15 in the MS system.
V.G.
Very Good coins are well worn, but still have full rims and all lettering visible. Most of the design is outlined, but details are absent. VG-8 and VG-10 grades are assigned to coins in Very Good.
G.
Coins graded Good are usually the lowest grade collected. They may not have full rims or complete lettering, depending on the type of coin. Good-4 and Good-6 are the MS numeric grades, with 6 being a choicer piece.
A.G.
About, or Almost Good, is a very worn coin with the date and most of the lettering still visible. AG-3 is the numeric designation for this low grade.
Fr.
Fair is a coin so badly worn that the date is barely visible, and most of the design is gone. Fr-2 coins are seldom collected, except in cases of rarities, where they are commonly called ‘fillers’.
Pr.
A coin that is in Poor grade is identifiable only as to the type or denomination of coin that it was, and is rarely collected.