How to Grade Gold
Gold coins are evaluated for collecting and resale purposes by a set standard or grade, by rarity, or by overall quality and demand. A standard for grading was established in the late 1950s so that all traders could identify the quality of gold by the same criteria.
Determine the Grade of Gold Coins
Step
1
Look for coins with no sign of wear to be classified as MS (Mint State), followed by numbers between 60 and 70. An MS-70 indicates an absolutely unblemished coin with perfect color. Some dealers use Unc (uncirculated) to identify the grade.
Step
2
Find the category for almost uncirculated (AU) coins, a difficult category for inexperienced collectors to identify. The AU categories are AU-50, AU-55 and AU-58. The wear on the high points of a coin is used to determine the category of almost uncirculated coins.
Step
3
Expect a grade of XF or EF for extremely fine coins, with a minimal amount of wear on the high points. The two identifications are XF-40 and XF-50 for specifying the amount of light wear.
Step
4
Examine the major feature of coins for sharpness and clarity. Very-fine (VF) grade coins have slightly worn features on the finer details while the major features are detailed. VF-20, VF-25 and VF-30 are the most common grades.
Step
5
Select the fine (F) grade to locate coins with moderate to heavy wear. F-12 is a typical grade given to coins like the 1965 quarter. It is worn, but still retains enough of the design to be easily identified.
Step
6
Determine the difference in a very-good (VG) grade and a good (G) grade of coins. The VG-8 rating requires a full rim, even though the design is weak. A G grade does not require a full rim, but the
date
and mint mark must be clearly defined.
Step
7
Choose almost good (AG) and fair (Fair) coin conditions if you need a coin to fill in a missing date. You may not be able to read all of the date on an AG coin, and the "Fair" condition may not be readable at all.
Tips & Warnings
Check on rarity, a key to investing in gold coins. The amount of coin survival and the grade rating are all considered in determining the rarity of a coin.
Avoid flawed investments. Coins that have been retooled, have scratches, are pitted or have artificial colors are not a good investment. They will be downgraded considerably by a dealer.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2095332_grade-gold.html
Gold coins are evaluated for collecting and resale purposes by a set standard or grade, by rarity, or by overall quality and demand. A standard for grading was established in the late 1950s so that all traders could identify the quality of gold by the same criteria.
Determine the Grade of Gold Coins
Step
1
Look for coins with no sign of wear to be classified as MS (Mint State), followed by numbers between 60 and 70. An MS-70 indicates an absolutely unblemished coin with perfect color. Some dealers use Unc (uncirculated) to identify the grade.
Step
2
Find the category for almost uncirculated (AU) coins, a difficult category for inexperienced collectors to identify. The AU categories are AU-50, AU-55 and AU-58. The wear on the high points of a coin is used to determine the category of almost uncirculated coins.
Step
3
Expect a grade of XF or EF for extremely fine coins, with a minimal amount of wear on the high points. The two identifications are XF-40 and XF-50 for specifying the amount of light wear.
Step
4
Examine the major feature of coins for sharpness and clarity. Very-fine (VF) grade coins have slightly worn features on the finer details while the major features are detailed. VF-20, VF-25 and VF-30 are the most common grades.
Step
5
Select the fine (F) grade to locate coins with moderate to heavy wear. F-12 is a typical grade given to coins like the 1965 quarter. It is worn, but still retains enough of the design to be easily identified.
Step
6
Determine the difference in a very-good (VG) grade and a good (G) grade of coins. The VG-8 rating requires a full rim, even though the design is weak. A G grade does not require a full rim, but the
date
and mint mark must be clearly defined.
Step
7
Choose almost good (AG) and fair (Fair) coin conditions if you need a coin to fill in a missing date. You may not be able to read all of the date on an AG coin, and the "Fair" condition may not be readable at all.
Tips & Warnings
Check on rarity, a key to investing in gold coins. The amount of coin survival and the grade rating are all considered in determining the rarity of a coin.
Avoid flawed investments. Coins that have been retooled, have scratches, are pitted or have artificial colors are not a good investment. They will be downgraded considerably by a dealer.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2095332_grade-gold.html
