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Coin grading - is the process of determining the grade or condition of a coin, one of the key factors in determining its value. A coin's grade is generally determined by six criteria: strike, preservation, luster, color, attractiveness, and occasionally the country/state in which they’re minted. Several grading systems have been developed. Certification services professionally grade coins for tiered fees.  

Coins are graded on a 70-point grading scale with 1 being the worst condition and 70 being the perfect mint state. The naming conventions can also lead to confusion, such as the grade of "Good" being a 4 out of 70 while "Fine" is 12.

· Poor - This coin is barely discernible. This coin is barely away from being indistinguishable.

· Fair - Type and date are barely discernible. Still extremely worn or damaged. Major details usually identifiable.

· About Good-Type and date are discernible, although some spots may be worn out.

· Good (G) - Primary devices and features are evident as outlines. Coin is still heavily worn.

· Good - Plus (G+) - Full rim, major devices easily identified. Features are clearly outlined.

· Very Good (VG) - Full rim with clearly discernible devices and features. Most legends are readable clearly, but still significantly worn.

· Fine (F) - Clear devices showing some detail, but whole coin is moderately but evenly worn.

· Very Fine (VF) - Clearly readable but lightly worn legends, devices show good detail, rims are clean. The whole coin shows moderate wear on the high points and a little wear below.

· Good Very Fine (VF) - are clear and devices show all detail with little wear. High points of coin's design are lightly worn.

· Extremely Fine (XF) - are sharp, and devices are clear with slight but obvious wear on high points.

· Choice Extremely Fine (XF) - Legends and devices are clear and sharp, with slight wear on the high points, and great eye appeal.

· About Uncirculated (AU) - Sharp legends and devices show only a trace of wear on the highest points. There must be some remaining mint luster.

· Good About Uncirculated (AU) 

· Sharp legends and devices show only a hint of wear on the high points. Remaining mint luster must be at least half in the coin should have excellent eye appeal.

· Choice About Uncirculated (AU)

· Virtually uncirculated, except for minor wear marks on high points. Nearly all mint luster must be present and must have outsanding eye appeal.

· Mint State Basal (MS) 60 - 70  - Coins show no signs of wear from circulation, but they are ugly (in fact uglier than an AU58). They are dinged-up, bag-marked, ill-toned specimens, but they are in mint condition and free of any wear!

· Proof: Proof is a type of coin and not a grade. A non-proof coin can never be "pretty enough" to be proof. It is a different coin blank.