Sheldon coin grading scale


The Sheldon Coin Grading Scale is a 70-point coin grading scale used in the numismatic assessment of a coin's quality. The American Numismatic Association based its Official ANA Grading Standards in large part on the Sheldon scale. The scale was created by William Herbert Sheldon.

Original Sheldon Scale (1949)

In 1949, the original scale was first presented in "Dr. William H. Sheldon's Early American Cents" titled "A Quantitative Scale for condition" as a way to grade Large cents. The scale is known today as the Sheldon scale.
#Grade
1Basal State-1
2Fair
3Very Fair
4, 5, 6Good
7, 8, 10Very Good
12, 15Fine
20, 30Very Fine
40Extremely Fine
50About Uncirculated
60Mint State
65Mint State
70Mint State

Adapted scale (1970s–present)

By 1953 the original Sheldon scale had become outdated. It was not until the 1970s, however, that the ANA chose to adapt the scale for use on all US coins. The scale used today is a modification of the original Sheldon scale, with added adjustments, additions, deletions, and modifications to it.
Note: Some early American coin varieties are almost always found to be weakly struck in places. This does not bring the grade of these coins down as in some cases no flawless coin exists for the variety. Early coins in general usually have planchet quality issues which depending on severity and market conditions can bring the grade down for other coins.

Circulated grades

#GradeGrade codeDescription
1PoorPOClear enough to identify, date may be worn smooth with one side of the coin blanked. Coins that are very badly corroded may also fall under this category.
2FairFRSome detail shows
3About GoodAGReadable lettering although very heavily worn. The date and design may be worn smooth.
4GoodG, G4Rims of the coin are slightly worn, design is visible, but faint in areas, with many parts of the coin worn flat. Peripheral lettering nearly full.
6Choice GoodG+, G6Rims of the coin are complete. Peripheral lettering is full.
8Very GoodVG, VG8Slight detail shows, with two to three letters of the word LIBERTY showing in coins with this feature.
10Choice Very GoodVG+, VG10Slightly clearer design-features, with five or possibly six letters of the word LIBERTY showing in coins with this feature.
12FineF, F12Some deeply recessed areas show detail. All lettering is sharp. The letters in the word LIBERTY show completely in coins with this feature, but may be weak. Moderate to considerable, but even wear throughout the coin.
15Choice FineF+, F15Slightly more detail in the recessed areas of the coin.
20Very FineVF, VF20Moderate wear on the higher surface features.
25Very FineVF25All lettering and major features are sharp. Light to moderate, but even wear is seen on the surface and high points of the coin.
30Choice Very FineCh.VF, VF+, VF30All lettering and major features are sharp. Light, but even wear is seen on the surface and high points of the coin.
35Choice Very FineCh. VF, VF+, VF35All lettering and major features are sharp. Light, but even wear is seen on the surface and high points of the coin. Traces of mint luster may show.
40Extremely Fine/Extra FineEx. Fine, EF40Overall sharpness. Light wear seen at the highest points of the coin. Details of the coin are sharp. Traces of mint luster may show.
45Choice Extremely FineCh. Ex. Fine, EF45Slight, overall wear is seen at the highest points of the coin. All the details are full and very sharp. Mint luster may show only in protected areas of the coin's surface.
50About Uncirculated/Almost UncirculatedAU, AU50Traces of wear at the highest points of the coin. At least half of the original mint luster remains.
55Choice About UncirculatedCh. AU, AU55Three-fourths of the original mint luster remains.
58Choice About UncirculatedCh. AU, AU58Almost all of the original mint luster remains

Uncirculated grades

Mint State refers to a coin minted for regular distribution that was never actually put into circulation, i.e., it was never used for daily commerce; it is uncirculated. Since individuals never used these coins to purchase goods or services, the coins were not handed from one person to another; they were not jumbled up with other coins in pockets or purses; and they were not repeatedly counted—and touched—by retailers and bank personnel. Consequently, uncirculated coins should not show signs of wear.
In modern-day United States numismatics, collectors, coin dealers, and third-party grading services grade mint state coins using a number from 60 to 70 inclusive, with 70 representing a perfect coin with no visible blemishes. Coins in the lower grade range, are usually unworn, and may suffer from weak striking, bag marks and other defects that make them less attractive to the collector. Some Mint State early coins appear to be circulated due to weak strikes, die cracks, planchet problems, or metal quality. There are a few United States coins for which no mint state specimens exist, such as the 1792 silver disme, and the 1802 Draped Bust silver half dime.

Adjectival Grades for Uncirculated Coins

Coin dealers and individual coin collectors often use adjectives—with or without an accompanying Sheldon numerical grade—to describe an uncirculated coin's grade. The term Brilliant Uncirculated is probably the most common—and the most ambiguous—of such adjectives. While Brilliant Uncirculated ought to refer to an uncirculated coin that retains its original mint luster, some equate BU with Uncirculated, i.e., they might refer to an MS-60 coin with little or no effulgence as Brilliant Uncirculated. Along these lines, some numismatists argue that an unscrupulous subset of coin dealers mislead customers by using adjectival grades without defining their terms. At the same time, there appears to be at least some consensus in the numismatic community for the following definitions.
Adjectival GradeEquivalent Numerical Grade
UncirculatedMS-60, MS-61, MS-62
Select or Choice UncirculatedMS-63
Choice UncirculatedMS-63, MS-64
Gem UncirculatedMS-65, MS-66
Superb Gem UncirculatedMS-67, MS-68, MS-69
Perfect Uncirculated''MS-70

However, bear in mind that if a coin dealer advertises a coin as "Gem Uncirculated", it does not necessarily mean that a third-party coin grading company would assign an MS-65 or MS-66 grade to the coin.

Numerical Grades for Uncirculated Coins

Proof Coins

Like circulated grades, proof coins are graded on the Sheldon scale from 1 to 70. Proof coins graded 60 to 70 are mirrored to those of Uncirculated grades with the difference that the coin was not made for circulation. Proof coins with the grade of PR-63 are sometimes called "Choice Proofs". Proof coins that are below the grade of 60 and show signs of circulation or mishandling have been classified as Impaired Proofs, these are not included alongside circulated coins as they were never issued or intended for circulation in the first place.
#GradeGrade codeDescription
1 - 59Impaired ProofPR-45Grades for impaired proofs mirror those for circulated grades.
60ProofPR, PR-60Grade mirrors uncirculated grade.
63ProofPR-63Grade mirrors uncirculated grade.
65ProofPR-65Grade mirrors uncirculated grade.
67ProofPR-67Grade mirrors uncirculated grade.
70ProofPR-70Grade mirrors uncirculated grade.

Detracting Coins

The following table shows coins that have detracting features. Coin dealers will normally grade these coins at or below the ones shown for that respective type, the grades here depend on how bad the issue or issues are. Coins that are uncirculated as mentioned above can not go below an MS-60 grade.
TypeGrade usually givenDescription
Adjustment MarksMS66 and lowerThese include mostly early coins, excess metal was cut from overweight coins to conform to weight laws.
Planchet defectsMS65 and lowerPlanchet defects are caused by flaws in a coin's metal before it was struck. Some examples include; die cracks or lamination.
Striking defectsMS64 and lowerExamples include coins that are struck off center, have porosity, color impurity, or are weakly struck. The issue or issues are dependent on severity, and the resulting grade is caused by the "reality of the market".
Unattractive toningMS64 and lowerDepending on conditions. Coins that have very low eye appeal will be effected as the market value of these coins cannot warrant a higher grade.
Carbon streaksMS64 and lowerCarbon streaks are a flaw caused by environmental conditions. Some contributing factors include coin storage in a damp place, or exposure to cigar or cigarette smoke.
FingermarksMS63 and lowerOils exist in human fingerprints which can leave marks on the surface of a coin. These marks are usually the result of mishandling.
PVC damageMS63 and lowerImproperly stored coins in vinyl 2x2 flips, older albums, and coin holders. Green and gray streaks and/or spots appear on the surface of an affected coin.
Black spotsMS63 and lowerAlso known as sulfur spots, these coins are given dark brown to black spots by sulfur in the environment. These black spots have also been incorrectly dubbed as carbon spots, but carbon does not contribute to oxidation.
Slide marks
MS63 and lowerSlide marks are caused by improperly placing a coin into an album that contains plastic strip slides. The marks are given as the plastic slides or rubs across the surface of a given coin.
OverdippingMS62 and lowerThese coins were dipped into a dilute acid solution too many times which stripped the coin's surface of luster.
Cleaning marksMS62 and lowerSee: Cleaning
Corrosion spotsMS62 and lowerCopper coins can turn green, while silver coins turn black from oxidation.
WearAU58 and lowerBy definition an uncirculated coin will show no trace of wear.
WhizzingAU50 and lowerThese coins were gone over with a metal or wire brush to "enhance" the uncirculated details. Whizzing causes wear to the surface of the coin which lowers the grade to "circulated" status.