Grading Policy
All coins and currency sold on this site are graded using nationally recognized and collector-approved grading resources, including PCGS Photograde®, the American Numismatic Association's Official Grading Standards® and the PMG Paper Money Grading Scale®. These guides, combined with our years of experience, enable us to confidently provide you with accurately graded coins and currency.
Although grading scales are relatively standardized, grading is still subjective, and can be impacted by strike quality, eye appeal and overall wear (or lack thereof). Therefore, we have consolidated the traditional numerical grading system into more generic categories. Below you will find a summary of the grading designations we use on this site, as well as the grades/conditions each represents.
PLEASE NOTE: The images used on this site are for reference only--the actual coin/note you will receive may vary unless specified otherwise. We reserve the right to substitute coins of higher quality at no additional charge.
| FILLER | These coins and notes are considered hole fillers. Coins might be damaged, cleaned, corroded and/or have other problems. Notes might be torn, soiled and/or missing some pieces. Dates will be identifiable (last two digits minimum) and mint marks and major design elements will show. Generally, these coins and notes would receive grades of About Good (AG-3) or better, although most would be net graded. |
| AVERAGE CIRCULATED (AVG CIRC) | These coins and notes are circulated and conditions will be typical for the date. Grades will range from Good (G-4) to Almost Uncirculated (AU-50). Generally, earlier or key-date coins and notes will grade Good (G-4) through Fine (F-12), and newer or common-date coins and notes will grade Very Fine (VF-20) to Almost Uncirculated (AU-50). Dates, mint marks and major design elements will show. NOTE: When higher grades are offered for the same coin or note, it is safe to assume the Average Circulated item will be of a lower grade. Due to frequent inventory changes, only a grade of Good or better is guaranteed for coins and notes in Average Circulated condition, regardless of date. |
| FINE (F) | These coins and notes will be in better condition than those listed as Average Circulated. The coin or note will have moderate to considerable wear, but will generally have a pleasing appearance. Items may be designated as Fine (F-12) or Fine+/Choice Fine (F-15). |
| VERY FINE (VF) | These coins and notes will be in better condition than those listed as Average Circulated and Fine. The coin or note will have moderate wear, but will generally have a pleasing appearance and major details will be clear. Items may be designated as Very Fine (VF-20) or Very Fine+/Choice Very Fine (VF-30). NOTE: Items designated VF/XF could range in grades from Very Fine (VF-20) to Extra Fine (XF-40) depending on current inventory levels. |
| EXTRA FINE (XF) | These coins and notes will be in better condition than those listed as Average Circulated, Fine and Very Fine. The coin or note will have light to moderate wear, and most, if not all, details and design elements will be sharp and well defined (except dates with notoriously weak strikes). Coins may exhibit some luster, although this should not be expected for most series. Items may be designated as Extra Fine (XF-40) or Extra Fine+/Choice Extra Fine (XF-45). NOTE: Items designated XF/AU could range in grades from Extra Fine (XF-40) to Almost Uncirculated (AU-50) depending on current inventory levels. |
| ALMOST UNCIRCULATED (AU) | These coins and notes will be in better condition than those listed as Average Circulated, Fine, Very Fine and Extra Fine. The coin or note will have light wear and all details and design elements should be sharp and well defined. Coins should exhibit some original luster (copper series may be an exception), and notes should retain most of their original crispness. Items may be designated as Almost Uncirculated (AU-50 or AU-53) or Almost Uncirculated+/Choice Almost Uncirculated (AU-55 or AU-58). NOTE: Items designated AU/BU could range in grades from Almost Uncirculated (AU-50) to Brilliant Uncirculated (MS-60) depending on current inventory levels. |
| BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED (BU) CRISP UNCIRCULATED (CU) | These coins and notes will be uncirculated and free of wear and damage. Coins may not exhibit full mint luster (particularly copper series), may be lightly toned or spotted, and may be weakly struck. Bag marks may be present in primary fields on certain series. Coins are taken from uncirculated rolls and conditions will be typical for the date. Notes should be crisp, but may be slighly off-center and may have one or two small corner folds that do not extend past the margins. Items may be designated as Brilliant Uncirculated (MS-60) or Crisp Uncirculated (CU-60). |
| CHOICE BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED (CHBU) GEM CRISP UNCIRCULATED (GEM CU) | These coins and notes will be in better condition than those listed as Brilliant Uncirculated or Crisp Uncirculated. Coins are hand-selected from rolls for their strike and eye appeal, will have full mint luster, and will not be spotted or toned. Notes will be crisp, well-centered and free of corner folds or bends. Items may be designated as Choice Brilliant Uncirculated (MS-63 or higher) or Gem Crisp Uncirculated (CU-63 or higher). |
| PROOF (PF or PRF) | The proof designation refers to the method of manufacture. These coins are specially made, distinguished by sharp, above-average details. Some coins may be may be slightly toned or have minor blemishes, but will generally exhibit mirrored surfaces and pleasing eye appeal. Items may be designated as Proof (PF-60 to PF-63) or Choice Proof (PF-64 or higher). |