Welcome to our section on how the coin grading system works, accurate grading of coins can take many years of experience to master properly, and the grades show below are intended as a guide only. Many coins do not fit exactly into a specific grade and may fall between; therefore in the English system it is not uncommon to see descriptions such as VF+ or Almost EF. The American system quoted here in brackets at the end of each comment does possess a slightly broader range of grading to be performed.
 

Fine (F): Worn over whole area, but only the highest spots are worn completely through. (US: VF-20)


1838 Q Victoria Shield Sovereign in about Fine condition

 

 
Very Fine (VF): Detail clear, but obvious evidence of very limited circulation. High spots worn but detail remains. Traces of mint lustre may linger amongst the letters of the inscription. (US: EF-40)



1857 Q Victoria Sovereign in Very Fine Condition

 

Extremely Fine (EF): Slight wear on high spots on close inspection, and all other detail clear and sharp. Much mint lustre may remain. May appear uncirculated to the naked eye. (US: MS-60)


1928 SA George V Sovereign in Extremely Fine Condition

 

Uncirculated (Unc): No wear at all, although it is possible for the design not to be fully struck up in the minting process. There may be bag abrasions. Older coins may be tarnished or toned.(US: MS-62 to 65)


1923 Perth George V Sovereign in Uncirculated Condition


 

Proof: Not a condition, but the coin has been struck using specially prepared dies and blanks, and the minting process has been carried out usually twice with extra pressure to ensure the die is filled. Normally the fields are highly polished, with the design matte, however matte proofs where the whole coin is matte are known (especially the 1902 GB proofs), and sometimes even the design is polished (especially from the early 1970's for UK proof sets). Proof coins usually have very sharp edges.


A proof 1937 George V Sovereign