Understanding Coin Collecting
In coin collecting, the condition of a coin is paramount to its value; a high-quality example is often worth many times more than a poor example. Collectors have even created a system to describe the overall condition of the coins.
In the early days of coin collecting, before the development of a large international coin market, extremely precise grades were not needed. Coins were described using only three adjectives: “good”, “fine”, or “uncirculated”. By the mid 20th century, with the growing market for rare coins, the Sheldon system was adopted by the American Numismatic Association and most coin professionals in North America. It uses a 1-70 numbering scale, where 70 represents a perfect specimen and 1 represents barely identifiable coin. The Sheldon Scale uses descriptions and numeric grades for coins (from highest to lowest) is as follows:
Numis Network Coin Collecting
Example From Numis Network. This is a American Silver Eagle. It is a MS70 2009, which according to the Sheldon Scale is “Mint State”. Currently it is worth $125.00.
On Your right is a MS70 1997 American Silver Eagle. Look at how much it is worth. The coins are products that Numis Network Sends to their members each month. By joining Numis Network, these and more can be in YOUR coin collection.
- Mint State (MS) 60-70: Uncirculated
- About/Almost Uncirculated (AU) 50, 53, 55, 58
- Extremely Fine (XF or EF) 40, 45
- Very Fine (VF) 20, 25, 30, 35
- Fine (F) 12, 15
- Very Good (VG) 8, 10
- Good (G) 4, 6
- About Good (AG) 3
- Fair (FA, FR) 2
- Poor (PR, PO) 1
While the Sheldon Scale is universally acknowledged, coin experts in Europe and elsewhere often shun the numerical system, preferring to rate specimens on a purely descriptive, or adjectival, scale. Nevertheless, most grading systems use similar terminology and values and remain mutually intelligible.
When evaluating a coin, the following, often subjective, factors may be considered: 1) “eye appeal” or the aesthetic interest of the coin; 2) dents on the rim; 3) unsightly scratches or other blemishes on the surface of the coin; 4) luster; 5) toning; 6) level of detail retained, where a coin with full details obviously is valued higher than one with worn details. If the coin is judged favorably in all of these criteria, it will generally be awarded a higher grade.
Damage of any sort (e.g. holes, edge dents, repairs, cleaning, re-engraving, or gouges) can substantially reduce the value of a coin. Specimens are occasionally cleaned or polished in an attempt to pass them off as higher grades or as not circulated strikes. Because of the substantially lower prices for cleaned or damaged coins, some enthusiasts specialize in their coin collection.
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