Grading British Coins
By Coinsanduk | Tuesday, 20 October 2020
Used by most major third party grading companies, the Sheldon scale is a numerical grading system (1 to 70) instead of an adjectival grading system, like it is sometimes used for nonencapsulated and certified coins, to qualify the quality of a coin. It was first presented in 1949 as a way to grade United States cents, but it was only chosen by the American Numismatic Association in the 1970s for all US coins.
The UK grading adjectival terms might be less precise, but easiest to learn for a new collector. Here are a comparison guide of the two scales:
Sheldon scale vs adjectival scale in United Kingdom
| UK Grading | General Description | Sheldon Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Poor | Design and date are discernable, although some spots may be worn out. Some lettering should be apparent, if not necessarily readable. | FR-2 AG-3 |
| G (Good) | Some details in the braid hair and the crown begin to appear. Distinct rim, all legends readable, clear illustrations showing some detail, but the whole coin is moderately, but evenly worn. | G-4 G-6 VG-8 VG-10 |
| F (Fine) | Distinct rim, all legends readable, clear illustrations showing some detail, but the whole coin is moderately, but evenly worn. | F-12 F-15 VF-20 VF-25 VF-30 |
| VF (Very Fine) | Legends are sharp, illustrations are clear with slight but obvious wear on the high points. | VF-35 EF-40 EF-45 AU-50 |
| EF (Extremly Fine) | Sharp legends and illustrations show only a very trace of wear on the very highest points. | AU-53 AU-55 AU-58 MS-60 |
| aUNC (About Uncirculated) | The only traces of wear on these coins come from the contact with each other during their production (bag marks, damage spots) at the Mint or very small circulating signs (minor scratches or scuff marks). Copper coins may be brown, dull and spotted. The field of the coin should looks like almost intact. | MS-61 MS-62 |
| UNC (Uncirculated) | Above average quality of strike and full original mint luster, with no more than two or three minor, but noticeable, contact marks. A few very light hairlines may show under (6x+) magnification, or there may be one or two light, scuff marks showing on frosted surfaces or in the field. The eye appeal must be above average and very pleasing for the date and originating mint. Copper coins display full original or lightly toned color. | MS-63 MS-64 MS-65 MS-66 MS-67 |
| FDC (Fleur-de-coin) | Perfect coin. Never used on circulation coins. | MS-68 MS-69 MS-70 |
