U.S. Coin Grading: The ANA Grading System

Mint State: (UNC) Means uncirculated showing no trace of wear.

About Uncirculated: (AU) Traces of light wear on the high poins of the coin, mint luster still present.

Extremely Fine: (XF) Light wear on high points.

Very Fine: (VF) Light even wear on surface and highest points.

Fine: (F) Moderate even wear on high high points.

Very Good: (VG) Well worn or flat on high points.

Good: (G) Heavily worn and most details are flat.

About Good: (AG) Very heavily worn date maybe barely readable.

Poor: (P) Damaged coins that are bent, corroded, scratched, holed, nicked, stained or otherwise mutilated.

Coin grading has evolved over the years to a system of finer and finer grade distinctions, particularly when talking about U.S. coins. With all of these factors to consider, and the distinction between grades being so fine in many cases, it becomes more and more difficult for the average collector to keep up. The general public is even less likely to understand this explosion of grades and the subsequent valuations. Nevertheless, there are many good books and web sites that can assist you in figuring out the approximate grade of your coins.