Disclaimer: Grading is very subjective and there are disagreements
amongst even the professionals. Taking it one step further, you can get
an opinion of a grade of a coin from a professional grader and two weeks
later you may get a different opinion on the same exact coin. As such,
the grades and opinions offered on this page are just that, my own
personal opinions. They may be my personal opinions, but they have been
formulated by reading grading guidelines by the ANA, PCGS, Photgrade as
well as looking at and many coins that were professionally graded.
Unless specifically stated, the coins depicted on this page have NOT
been professionally graded. Those that have been professionally graded
will be noted, however, a similarly like coin in your possession does
not mean it will grade the same. This page is to used as a very general
guideline only.
I attempted to offer a grading opinion the on coins on this web page by
lining up several hundred coins and then putting them in order of wear
and eye appeal. I then attempted to assign a grade based on my
interpretation of the grading guidelines by major grading firms. I am
not a professional grader and when grading your own coins you should use
your own judgment and/or grading company. Most books and grading
guidelines go from BU to POOR. I thought I would go the other way around
to provide a slightly different perspective. Most grading books will
talk about things disappearing while I show things as they begin to
appear. If you have any questions or feel anything it totally off,
please feel free to contact me via my contact page. Thanks
Poor PO01
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A coin which is barely
recognizable as a Lincoln Cent. If it has a date, it is hardly
visible and will be faint or mushy. Lettering at the top, if
visible will be nearly all merged into rim. There will be no
detail in Lincoln's hair and coat. Mint mark, if any, will be
mushy and hard to determine what it is |
Slight central detail is visible.
Wheat stalks will be merged into rim and will appear as very
flat and seem to be part of the rim. Surface will be very
smooth from wear. Smaller lettering will be nearly, if not,
gone. On this example, "E. Pluribus Unum" is completely gone |
Fair FR02
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A Fair coin is not
much better than a POOR coin. Lincoln is merely a shadow with
all detail worn away. In the FAIR grade, the date will be worn
away or barely visible, just as the POOR. There will be evidence
of some lettering around the rim with the lettering barely
visible and merged into the rim. As with the POOR, there will be
no detail in Lincoln’s coat. |
Slight central detail is visible.
Wheat stalks are still merged into the rim but not nearly as
flat as the POOR. Reverse outer lettering will be slightly
visible but will be mostly worn away or have a mushy appearance. |
AG03 About Good
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Rim will be worn down
to letters. The “L” in LIBERTY will be worn into the rim or
touching it. The date and mint mark if any, will be weak, mushy,
but readable. The letters at the top are also merge into the rim
or touching it. Lincoln is heavily worn with no detail other
than a few lines in the coat beginning to appear. Bow tie will
appear mushy. The example shown here is a high AG3 but fails to
make G04 due to lettering touching the rim |
The wheat stalks are merged to the
rim but not necessarily in all parts. While the wheat stalks are
discernable, there is no detail to them. For example, there are
no wheat lines or grains in the wheat stalk that show. Reverse
lettering is touching the rim. Middle lettering is weak/worn but
readable. Early branch mint coins may have are typically weakly
struck and may be missing the “O” in “One Cent” |
G04 Good
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The coin is heavily
worn but design will be legible. All lettering and date will be
clear. In most examples, lettering will not be touching the rim,
but in some cases may be slightly touching the rim. Lincoln is
still flat with the ear hole just beginning to show and only the
top curls in his hair showing any detail. There will be more
coat detail than AG03, such as shoulder lines beginning to
appear. Bow tie begins to look like a bow tie but ends still
blend into coat. A slight ridge begins to appear in the neck
area to separate the bare neck to the shirt. Line to show shirt
and coat not yet presence. Mint Mark if any, will be readable,
but may be worn/mushy. |
The wheat ears are fully separated
from the rim. All lettering at the top of the reverse should be
away from the rim as well although a few letters will be close
or touching the rim ever so slightly. Wheat lines will not
likely be present but grains in the lower stalk will be present
but flat. Wheat stem clearly shows ending point. |
G06 Good
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The coin is heavily
worn but design will be legible. All lettering and date will be
clear. Lettering will not be touching the rim. Lincoln is still
somewhat flat with the ear hole showing but not likely the
outline. Separation between nose and upper cheek below eye
beginning to show. Curls in the hair at the back and top of the
head begin to show. There will be more coat detail than G04,
such as the horizontal lines in the coat just below the bow tie.
Bow tie is a tad sharper than G04. In G04 a slight ridge begins
to appear in the neck area to separate the bare neck to the
shirt. In G06, it begins to look more like a line |
The wheat ears are fully separated
from the rim. All lettering at the top of the reverse should be
away from the rim as well. No Lettering should be touching rim.
Wheat lines will begin to show though not in all areas and/or
not on both stalks. Grains should be present on both sides.
Wheat stem clearly shows ending point. |
VG08 Very Good
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All lettering and date
will be sharp and clear. Lettering will not be touching the rim.
Lincoln is still somewhat flat with the ear hole showing as well
as the beginning out the ear outline included the ear lobe.
Separation between nose and upper cheek below eye beginning to
show and slightly more clear than G06. Cheek and jaw are flat.
More curls in the hair at the back and top of the head are
present. There will be more coat detail than G06. You may begin
to see separation between coat and shirt, but ever so slight |
The wheat ears are fully separated
from the rim. All lettering at the top of the reverse should be
away from the rim as well. No Lettering should be touching rim.
Wheat lines will be about 50% present but not separated. Some
lines will be complete and others will not be visible or not
complete, depending on strike and wear pattern. Grains should be
present on both sides and show some detail but they will be very
worn. |
VG10 Very Good
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Lincoln is still
somewhat flat with the ear hole showing as well as the beginning
out the ear outline included the ear lobe. Just to the left of
the horizontal mouth outline you can begin to see an ever so
small dimple that will be the outline of a cheek. Hair shows
curls throughout head but still nearly flat. A few more coat
line details beginning to be seen with all major folds showing.
Bow tie outline visible but ride side may still be merged into
coat |
Wheat lines will be more than 50%
present but not separated. Some lines will be complete and
others will not be visible or not complete, depending on strike
and wear pattern. Grains should be present on both sides and
show about half of the detail. |
F12 Fine
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Lincoln is still
somewhat flat with the ear hole showing as well as the beginning
out the ear outline included the ear lobe. In F12, although the
cheek/jaw is still flat, you should begin seeing the outline of
jaw extending from ear lobe slight showing separation between
coat collar, neck and jaw. Coat collar will begin showing bottom
outline but top of coat collar is not yet presence except at
very back of neck. Most hair curls are present but still worn
and blend into face and ear. |
Wheat lines will be two-thirds to
nearly complete but not separated depending on strike and wear.
Grains should be present on both sides and show about 75% of the
detail. Some grains will still be merged together but most will
show separation. |
F15 Fine
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Lincoln is still
somewhat flat with the ear hole showing as well as the beginning
out the ear outline included the ear lobe. In F12 and F15,
although the cheek/jaw is still flat, you should begin seeing
the outline of jaw extending from ear lobe clearly showing
separation between coat collar, neck and jaw. Coat collar should
have complete bottom outline but top of coat collar will blend
in with shirt at high point (middle of design) but may reappear
as top of coat extends down to bow tie. Most hair curls are
present but still worn and blend into face and ear. |
Wheat lines will be 90% to nearly
complete but not separated depending on strike and wear. Grains
should be present on both sides and show about 75% of the
detail. Some grains will still be merged together but most will
show separation |
VF20 Very Fine
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Ear is somewhat flat
but now is fully discernable. Most hair, although showing signs
of flatness are present expect above ear. Definite separation
from ear lobe and jaw line with jaw line distinct to chin.
Temple indentation clear and also distinction between cheek and
jaw, although minor. Top of coat distinct from shirt. Top coat
line clearly defined down to bow tie and lapel. Shirt line
mostly visible to bow tie. Edge of bow tie still may merge into
coat/lapel. |
Wheat lines must all be present
expect on weak strike coins. Wheat lines may not be totally
separated. Grains should be present on both sides and but may
still show some wear. NOTE: not all coins wear the same. Due to
strike, die condition and circulation wear, some details in a
lower grade may not be fully present in a higher grade. |
VF25 Very Fine
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Ear is more shapely
and hair curls extend to ear. Most hair, although showing signs
of flatness are present expect above ear. Definite separation
from ear lobe and jaw line with jaw line distinct to chin.
Temple indentation clear and also distinction between cheek and
jaw, although minor. Top of coat distinct from shirt. Top coat
line clearly defined down to bow tie and lapel. Shirt line
mostly visible to bow tie. Edge of bow tie still may merge into
coat/lapel. Not much difference from VF20 expect a tad more
sharpness |
Wheat lines must all be present
expect on weak strike coins. Wheat lines should be totally
separated. Grains should be present on both sides and be
complete but may still show some wear. NOTE: not all coins wear
the same. Due to strike, die condition and circulation wear,
some details in a lower grade may not be fully present in a
higher grade. |
VF30 Very Fine
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Ear is more shapely
and hair curls extend to ear. Most hair, although showing signs
of flatness are present expect above ear. Definite separation
from ear lobe and jaw line with jaw line distinct to chin.
Temple indentation more clear than VF25 and also distinction
between cheek and jaw, although minor. Top of coat distinct from
shirt. Top coat line clearly defined down to bow tie and lapel.
Shirt line now visible to bow tie. Edge of bow tie still may
merge into coat/lapel. Not much difference from VF25 except a
tad more sharpness. All folds/creases in coat are present |
Wheat lines must all be present
expect on weak strike coins. Wheat lines should be totally
separated. Grains should be present on both sides and be
complete but may still show some wear. NOTE: The example shown
has a detracting nick/cut at 11:00 on the reverse which may
downgrade it. This coin, as all coins are for illustration
purposes only. |
VF35 Very Fine
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Ear is more shapely
and hair curls extend to ear. Hair is clearly defined and
separated from ear and neck. More detail above chin and to left
of mouth. |
Wheat lines must all be present
expect on weak strike coins. Wheat lines should be totally
separated. Grains should be present on both sides and be
complete but may still show some wear. |
XF40 Extra Fine
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There will be slight
flattening on cheek and jaw bone. Although hair is all present,
there is a touch of smoothness on the curl tips. Eye lid, eye
brow and eye separation very clear and distinct. You can begin
to see knot in bow tie vs. other parts of bow tie. |
Wheat lines must all be present
expect on weak strike coins and totally separated. Grains should
be present on both sides and be complete but may still show some
wear. |
XF45 Extra Fine
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Flatness is seen on
face, hair, coat and beard, but all details are present.
Flatness is confined to very high places on coin. In some cases,
original mint luster may be present |
What lines are clearly defined and
separated. Light wear on tips of wheat lines. |
AU50 About Almost Unc
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All details sharp.
Only the slightest wear on high points on coin such as shoulder,
cheek, jaw, eye brow and forehead. Bow tie is clearly defined
and does not merge into coat. Part of bow tie extends over coat
and appears as a triangle. This is not seen on lower grades. |
Wear evident on tips of wheat
stalks and ever so slightly on grain. |
AU53 |
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AU55 |
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AU58 |
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MS60 |
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MS61 |
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MS62 |
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MS63 |
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MS64 |
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MS65 |
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A nice example of a
RED UNC Lincoln. There is a scratch under the chin and another
light scratch under the word Liberty. There is also some
abrasion on the lower shoulder. This coin subsequently was
graded MS 65 RED by PCGS. |
Quite a bit of light scratching
can be seen between the wheat stems and around the top above the
word ONE. Additionally, there is a dent in the “C” and “N” in
the word CENT |
MS66 |
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This coin has no
detracting marks. You can see some light scratching on the
shoulder at about 7:00 which was likely caused by friction in
the roll it came from, but it is not in the prime focal area.
There are small specs here and there, but again, to scratches.
This coin subsequently was graded MS66 RED by PCGS. It is likely
this coin did not grade higher because of the strike not being
as bold as it could be. For example, there is no detail at all
in Lincoln’s beard. Also, it is hard to discern the lines of the
shirt collar and the coat collar. On bolder strikes, this is
clearly visible |
The reverse of this coin is also
in great shape but not as good as the front. There is an
indentation in the left side of the “O” on ONE. There are also a
few smudges/dark spots above the “E” and “N” in cent.
Additionally, there is a slight nick/mark in the rim on the
right had side just to the left of the right wheat stalk/wheat
lines. |
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