The Sheldon scale
| Grade | Number | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Poor / Fair | 1–2 | Barely identifiable; heavily worn. |
| About Good | 3 | Very heavily worn; parts of the date or lettering missing. |
| Good | 4–6 | Main design visible in outline; rims mostly complete. |
| Very Good | 8–10 | Design clear but flat; some details visible. |
| Fine | 12–15 | Moderate even wear; all major details visible. |
| Very Fine | 20–35 | Light to moderate wear on high points; finer details mostly visible. |
| Extremely Fine | 40–45 | Light wear on the highest points only; traces of lustre. |
| About Uncirculated | 50–58 | Trace of wear on the highest points; most lustre remains. |
| Mint State | 60–70 | No wear. Higher numbers have fewer marks and better lustre and strike. |
Tips for grading at home
- Use a 5× or 10× loupe and a single lamp, tilting the coin to see wear and lustre.
- Wear shows first on the highest points of the design — learn where those are for your coin type.
- Toning is not wear: natural toning can even add value. Cleaning always lowers it.
- For valuable coins, professional grading services encapsulate and certify the grade, which buyers trust.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between MS-60 and MS-70?
Both have no wear. MS-60 has many marks and dull lustre; MS-70 is perfect even under magnification.
Does a cleaned coin get a grade?
Grading services usually mark cleaned coins as “details” grades rather than a number, and they sell for much less.
Is “UNC” the same as Mint State?
Yes, uncirculated means no wear, which is grades 60–70.
Sources
- Sheldon numerical grading scale, as used by major grading services
A self-check gives a rough range only. Professional grading can differ. Last reviewed: November 2026.