Grading Scale is an index of measuring a coin's systematic wear & tear while in circulation and later by the handling of coin professionals.
Every coin-type wears systematically over a period of time. Similarly, coins and notes in the custody of collectors or with dealers degrade in their physical condition due to a number of reasons like improper handling, poor quality of albums, storing them together in a bag, weather effect and many more similar reasons.
This deterioration in the physical condition of a coin is represented by an International 70-Point Scale which was first employed in late 1940s in the USA. Since than this mode of numerical grades has become the standard of the numismatic industry.
However, different grading companies all over the world have modified this numerical scale to suit their own types of coins. This numerical scale is prefixed by a range of Prefix Adjectives that describe condition of a coin into 4 different groups. These are P, G, F and MS.
The Scale grades coins and notes on a numerical scale from 1 to 70 with the lowest being P 1 and the MS 70 (UNC 70 for notes) being the highest grade assigned to a normal circulated coin without any post-production imperfections.
Following is the
NGS Grading Scale for coins, tokens and medals:
| Grade |
Numerical Grades |
Adjective |
Description |
| MS |
70 |
Treasure |
Mint State |
| MS |
69 |
Royal |
Mint State |
| MS |
68 |
Star |
Mint State |
| MS |
67 |
Diamond |
Mint State |
| MS |
66 |
Gem |
Mint State |
| MS |
65 |
Jewel |
Mint State |
| MS |
64 |
Pearl |
Mint State |
| MS |
63 |
Brilliant |
Mint State |
| MS |
62 |
Superb |
Mint State |
| MS |
61 |
Choice |
Mint State |
| MS |
60 |
Prime |
Mint State |
| AMS (AU) |
50, 55, 58 |
- |
Almost Mint State |
| XF |
40, 45 |
- |
Extremely Fine |
| VF |
25, 30, 35 |
- |
Very Fine |
| F |
12, 15 |
- |
Fine |
| VG |
8, 10 |
- |
Very Good |
| G |
4, 6 |
- |
Good |
| P |
1 |
- |
Poor |
| + |
Plus Grade |
- |
Eye Appeal for XF & above |
| (T) |
- |
Type |
Weakly struck coins |
Similarly, the same scale is also used for Proof and Pattern Coins. However, in case of Proof Coins, the grading is described with the prefix PF, like PF45 or PF63. The Proof-Like Coins have the Prefix PL and the rest of the concerned grade.
In case of Pattern Coins, the grading is described with the prefix PT, like PT45 or PT63. And in case of Specimen, the Prefix will be SP and the remaining part of the grade.
Banknotes and Paper Money are also Graded on a similar Scale with the Grades ranging from P to UNC, P being the lowest and UNC the highest.
Following is the
NGS Grading Scale for banknotes and paper money:
| Grade |
Numerical Grades |
Adjective |
Description |
| UNC |
70 |
Treasure |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
69 |
Royal |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
68 |
Star |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
67 |
Diamond |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
66 |
Gem |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
65 |
Jewel |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
64 |
Pearl |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
63 |
Brilliant |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
62 |
Superb |
Uncirculated |
| UNC |
61 |
Choice |
Uncirculated |
| MS |
60 |
Prime |
Uncirculated |
| AU |
50, 55, 58 |
- |
Almost Uncirculated |
| XF |
40, 45 |
- |
Extremely Fine |
| VF |
25, 30, 35 |
- |
Very Fine |
| F |
12, 15 |
- |
Fine |
| VG |
8, 10 |
- |
Very Good |
| G |
4, 6 |
- |
Good |
| P |
1 |
- |
Poor |
| + |
Plus Grade |
- |
Eye Appeal for XF & above |