Coin Grading Guide

Coin grading is the process of evaluating a coin's condition and assigning it a standardized grade. Grades help buyers and sellers communicate accurately about a coin's state of preservation.

The Sheldon Scale (1–70)

The Sheldon scale runs from 1 (barely identifiable) to 70 (perfect uncirculated). All major grades you will encounter are listed below.

Poor
P
1
Barely identifiable, extremely heavy wear.
Fair
F
2
Mostly worn smooth but the type is identifiable.
About Good
AG
3
Very heavily worn, outline visible.
Good
G
4–6
Heavily worn, major design elements visible but flat.
Very Good
VG
8–10
Well worn with main features clear.
Fine
F
12–15
Moderate wear on high points, all major features sharp.
Very Fine
VF
20–35
Light to moderate wear on high points, good detail remaining.
Extremely Fine
EF / XF
40–45
Light wear on highest points only, excellent detail.
About Uncirculated
AU
50–58
Slight wear on highest points, most mint luster remaining.
Mint State
MS
60–70
No wear. Ranges from heavily marked (MS-60) to perfect (MS-70).

Proof Coins

Proof coins are specially struck for collectors using polished dies. They are graded on the PR or PF scale (PR-60 to PR-70) and are not intended for circulation.

Grading World and Islamic Coins

World and Islamic coins, including Afghan coins, are often graded using descriptive terms rather than the full Sheldon scale. You will commonly see grades such as Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated. Due to the hand-struck nature of many historical Islamic coins, grading also takes into account strike quality, centering, and surface characteristics specific to that series.

Third-Party Grading Services

PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) are the two leading independent grading services. Coins graded by these services are sealed in tamper-evident holders called slabs, which include the grade and a certification number that can be verified online. Raw coins are ungraded and un-slabbed.

Our Grading Standards

At Chicken Street Trading Co., we grade all raw coins conservatively and honestly. We would rather under-grade than over-grade. If you have any questions about the grade or condition of a specific item, please contact us before purchasing.