HOW I GRADE MY COINS

The following paragraphs will describe the criteria I have used to grade the non-slabbed coins which will be sold by SHOW ME COLLECTIBLES. We all have our own ideas of how a coin should be graded. I do not use a microscope for grading, only a mature set of eyes and a 10x loupe. My pictures will present as true a representation as possible of each coin sold. Use your own judgement; remember I take returns. Questions? please E-mail me.

LINCOLN PENNY, WHEAT EARS REVERSE

Good: Date worn but readable, lines in wheat heads missing.Legand and date well worn but readable.

Very Good: At least half of wheat head lines visible at the top, minimal detail obverse or reverse.

Fine: Wheat line are worn but all visible, some hair detail with facial features worn flat.

Very Fine: No wear on wheat head or stalk; wear on cheekbone and jaw. Bow tie shows clearly but worn.

EF/AU: Only slight wear, details sharp on wheat stalks. 30%+ mint luster

Uncirculated: No traces of wear, may be slight color changes. complete mint luster.

Choice Unc.: No trace of wear; Full red color.

 Grading BU includes coin tones: brown, red/brown, red. Color tones does effect coins price.

Indian Head or Buffalo Nickel

Good: Date and legends readable, horn missing. Date may be only partial, no acid washed. Mint mark flat but readable.

Very Good: Worn flat and minimal  horn visible, all of date and mint mark readable. Nearly 20%  hair detail.

Fine: At least half of horn visible, Front rim intact, LIBERTY full.

VF-30: Near full hair detail, feathers defined but worn. Horn 100% visible but worn.

EF/AU: Sharp full horn,tip sharp, hair mild wear above braid. Shine(luster) present.

Unc.: No trace of wear, luster all over coin.

NOTE: Many buffalos weakly struck(>20 dates) and will effect grading. Look for coins eye appeal.

Winged Liberty/ Mercury Dime

Good: Date and lettering readable, all of design well worn; Sticks and Bands worn smooth

Very Good: Half of the sticks recognizable rim complete. Entire head worn, feathers flat; date and words clear

Fine: All sticks recognizable, diagonal bands show but parts are worn flat. Some detail in hair and feathers

Very Fine: Diagonal bands worn but details show. All vertical lines visible. most of feathers visible, hair warn but distinct

EF/AU: Slight diagonal bands wear; braids and hair visible with some luster.

UNC.:No traces of wear; overall luster.

Standing Liberty(varietyII):

Good: Design is well worn, mint mark and date are very weak but readable. Eagle is warn nearly flat, lettering readable.

VG-8: Entire obverse is worn, few details with date and mint mark clear. Eagle worn, few(30%) feathers visible, letters clear.

F-12: Gown details visible but not complete, right leg and breast worn without detail. Eagle breast smooth, half of feathers clear.

F-20/30: Progressive clearing of gown, increased visability of right leg.Eagle has Full wing feathers, legs flat but visible.

Washington Quarter:

G-4: Hair is well worn, minimal detail, LIBERTY and date weak but visible. Eagle's worn nearly flat, legs and breast worn flat.

VG-8: All letters and date are clear, head detail weak, hair detail minimal. Eagle wing feather's 50%, breast and legs outlined.

F-12: Hair details only back, Motto clearly visible, facial detail improved. Eagles feathers on breast and legs flat but visible.

VF-20/30: Wearing of facial features, 70% hair lines visible, visible around ear. Eagles vertical feathers clear, breast details 50%.

EF-40 +: Gradual improvement high points, more feather detail with 50% luster. Post 1964(90% silver) will wear less with coin population usually found F-12 and above. Watch facial wear and breast/leg wear.

Walking Liberty: Primary areas to focus on include incresing clearity of gown details, Eagle breast, leg and forward eagle feathers. Luster % improvement will influance grading. I usually leave these coins gradings to professionals.

Franklin Half Dollar:

VG-8: Entire head detail very weak as are hair lines.Worn but bold letters and date.Bell very worn, minimal detail,rim letter merge

F-12: Hair details back and side of head,bold letters, cheek flat. Bottom of bell worn smooth, straps are visible with full rim.

VF20/30: 70% hair,shoulder hair details. Cheek and jaw wear slight. Beam details visible, bell lettering details visible. Straps good

EF40/45: Hair lines back of head to sharp defined. Slight wear cheek,shoulder hair line.Light wear straps,bell cracks. 50% luster 

AU-50: Only traces of wear facial high points. 75% mint luster. Traces of wear bell lettering, ridges at bottom.

Kennedy Half Dollar: Only 1964 and Mint special issue 90% silver.

VF-35: Light to mod. wear obverse reverse highpoints:cheek, jaw bone hair line below part. Wing tips,arrow points minimal wear

AU-58: Detail loss cheek and jaw bone, hair below part. Same for arrow tips, tail feathers and wings. Nearly 100% luster.

MS-60: No trace of wear, full mint luster. More obvious blemishes(bag marks); these are less obvious with MS-63.

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