Sheldon Coin Grading Scale

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September 30, 2020

The Sheldon Coin Grading Scale is an 70-point coin grading scale accepted internationally for evaluating coin’s condition and quality. Sheldon Coin Grading Scale was developed by Dr. William Herbert Sheldon in 1948 in order to grade large U.S. cents. Sheldon Coin Grading Scale was modified in the 1970s to account for a wider range of coins.

The Sheldon Coin Grading Scale goes from 1 to 70. The higher the grade of the coin, the better the condition of the coin (and the higher the price).

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.

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.