- UNC (Uncirculated): No folds/creases; full crispness/sheen. May have "half moon" at edge of security thread.
- AU (About Uncirculated): Nearly perfect, with a single light fold or handling mark that doesn't break the paper. Crisp and colorful.
- XF a.k.a. EF (Extremely Fine): Crisp, firm, bright; a few light folds or one firm crease.
- VF Plus: Minor folds/stains; white areas are bright, still not quite Extra Fine.
- VF (Very Fine): Several folds; paper firmer than average; corners lightly worn.
- VF Minus: VF but may show foxing (yellow/brown patches), thinner paper, more folds/wrinkles/small tears (1-3 mm), otherwise intact.
- F (Fine): Well-used, many folds or creases; paper is soft; some soiling and/or pen marks.
- VG (Very Good) / Limp/worn/faded with heavy creasing/edge wear/tears.
Coin grading guide
- BU (Brilliant Uncirculated): Mint luster, never used
- UNC (Uncirculated): No wear, may have minor bag marks
- VF: clear, readable, noticeably worn, duller surfaces, dirt/toning common
- XF: sharp detail, light high-point wear, traces of luster, mostly clean fields
- AU: near-mint detail, luster largely present, only tiny rub, minimal grime
- F (Fine): Significant wear, major details visible
- G (Good): Heavy wear, outlines and shape remain
A note on “dirt” and dark spots
Circulated coins often show some toning (natural color change of the metal) and sometimes adhered dirt/deposits (a bonded film or small patch that cannot be removed without conservation or cleaning). A coin can still be correctly graded VF/XF/AU even if it has a small, stubborn smudge—that typically affects eye appeal, not the underlying wear grade, unless it is corrosion or damage.
Very Fine (VF) coin
What VF means: The coin has seen real circulation. Major features are clear, but high points are noticeably worn down.
Wear & detail (what you’ll see)
- Moderate wear across the whole design
- High points are flattened/rounded (not sharp)
- Most major elements are fully visible (portrait, emblem, date, legends)
- Inner detail is partially worn: hair strands, feather lines, leaf veins may be merged or softened
- Rim is complete; lettering should be readable and strong
Marks, scratches, and rims
- Many small contact marks from circulation
- Light scratches/hairlines are common
- Small rim nicks or bumps may appear
- No single deep gouge should dominate the coin (unless disclosed as a problem)
Brilliance / luster
- No mint luster
- Surface looks matte or uniformly dull
- Any “shine” is usually from wear smoothing, not original luster
Color, toning, and dirt
- Toning is often medium gray/brown (varies by metal)
- Darker color may collect in recesses
- Adhered grime in protected areas is common
- You may see a small dark smudge/spot (a few mm) that cannot be removed without conservation
In plain terms: VF is solid, honest circulation with full readability and strong main design, but clearly worn.
Extremely Fine (XF) coin
What XF means: Only light circulation. The design is sharp, with wear mainly limited to the highest points.
Wear & detail (what you’ll see)
- Light wear on the highest points only
- Most inner detail remains crisp: separation in hair, feathers, shield lines, leaf structure
- Legends, date, and rims are sharp and well-defined
- High-point flatness is present but limited and localized
Marks, scratches, and rims
- Fewer marks than VF
- Small contact ticks may be present
- Light hairlines possible
- Rim usually clean with only minor nicks
Brilliance / luster
- Some original luster may remain, especially in protected areas (around lettering, inside wreaths, fields near devices)
- Coin may show a slight “flash” when tilted, but not full cartwheel luster
Color, toning, and dirt
- Toning tends to be lighter and thinner than VF
- Dirt is usually limited to crevices
- A stubborn smudge can exist, but it will stand out more against the otherwise clean surfaces
In plain terms: XF still looks “sharp” at a glance—most detail is there—with only light wear on the tops.
About Uncirculated (AU) coin
The coin looks close to uncirculated but has the slightest wear (often called “rub” or “friction”) on the highest points.
Wear & detail (what you’ll see)
- Nearly full detail
- Only the very highest points show faint friction (cheekbone, hair curls, eagle breast, crown tips, etc.)
- No broad flattening; design remains crisp
Marks, scratches, and rims
- Contact marks may exist (coins can get marks without heavy wear)
- “Bag marks” (small dings from storage/handling) may appear
- Major scratches or damage are not expected unless disclosed
Brilliance / luster
- Most mint luster is present
- Often shows a clear “cartwheel” effect when rotated in light
- The only dull areas should be on the tiny rub points
Color, toning, and dirt
- Toning may be present, sometimes attractive
- Dirt/deposits should be minimal
- A small dark patch (few mm) can still occur from old residue or contamination; it may be non-removable without conservation
- If the patch is corrosion/etching (metal damage), that is a problem, and should be disclosed separately
In plain terms: AU is a “near-mint” circulated coin—luster mostly intact, with only a whisper of wear.
Final thoughts
Grade primarily describes wear. Surface issues can exist at any grade:
- A coin can be VF/XF/AU and still have a small, stubborn smudge
- A coin with corrosion, pitting, holes, deep gouges, harsh cleaning, or heavy rim damage is considered a problem coin the we will describe specifically in the listing.
