Collecting Coins and Banknotes for Profit

PROOF
More a term that describes a type of coin rather than a grade. A proof coin is one that has been especially minted with the use of highly pollished dies. This gives the coin a rather spectacular look by creating a mirror like field (that is background) and what seems to look like a frosted releif or image. This frosted look is produced by acid or sandblasting.

FDC or (Fleur De Coin)
A french term that is interpreted (Flower of the Die). FDC describes a coin that has been perfectly struck and perfectly preserved. This term can be associated with PROOF coins as well as coins that have been minted for general circulation. They will be almost always be the first coins to come out of the press when new dies have been inserted. They will also be perfectly centered and have no inculsions at all. These coins will have full mint lustre or if aged then they may have an attractive Patina or toning. Any bronze coins would have to be fully brilliant. These are rare coins as they do not often find their way into public auctions.

GEM UNCIRCULATED
Usually this grade is the highest grade that a collector might generally be able to aspire to. Coins graded as Gem Unc will almost flawless with strong strike from the press but may not be fully centered. The design might show just a minimal amount of die wear. Coins will display full mint lustre or Patina. Coins in this grade will have spectactular eye appeal. Value of bronze coins will be diminished by the degree of loss of mint lustre.

UNCIRCULATED (Unc)
As it suggests, a coin that has not been circulated in the commercial world and bears no wear marks. However an uncirculated coin may appear somewhat faint in the strike. This happens when dies nearing the end of their usefull life do not strike all of the original detail. Therefore the coin may appear worn but in fact thye die has been the contributing factor in poor strike. When this happens fields of the coin will be the tell tale for any circulation marks. This type of coin will have attractive eye appeal, it may be toned or have patina as it ages. Copper coins may also have toning at this grade. Furthermore bag marks can be present as coins when minted fall into them selves and during transport the are baged for transport. Any coin that may have excessive detracting mintage marks may be downgraded as a result.

ALMOST UNCIRCULATED (aUnc)
Very similar to uncirculated but will have minimal traces of circulation wear. They will still retain quite a strong degree of mint lustre and will be governed by all of the uncirculated coin judging standards.

EXTREMELY FINE (EF)
This type of grade will be just a shade of the aUnc grade. It describes a coin with light wear marks, however detail in the strike will be still evident. Care should be taken not to confuse soft strike with wear. A EF coin will have quite a bit of eye appeal and substantial evidence of mint bloom or Patina.

VERY FINE (VF)
In most cases this grade will have significant wear and to the eye most of the high point detail of the coin will be missing. The almost total absence of lustre will be missing. Their maybe also by now appearing rim damage to the coin and if reeded the reeding will be worn.
FINE (F)
At this stage of grading the coin will have significant wear. It will display clear evidence of wear and nealy all vestage of detail will be worn. The coin may also show significant damage by dents and nicks and will not have any eye appeal at all.
VERY GOOD (VG)
What a contradiction of terms that this grade indicates. Coins in this grade will be almost flat and completely worn. One should still be able to read the date and see the shape of the head or reverse design.

I hope this grading guide is helpful to all readers. Please do not hesitate to write if you have a grading question. I am happy also to offer appraisal of coins. please email through the contact page.
Till next time
Blessings
Alan J for
Pennyhalfpenny