ANG Coin Grading Standards

ANG uses the internationally recognized Sheldon 1-70 numerical grading scale, which was first introduced in the United States in the late 1940s. When ANG was established in 1987, it adopted this widely accepted industry standard. Below are ANG's numerical grading standards, along with the main minting types and designations.

Coins with condition issues cannot be numerically graded by ANG and may be eligible for ANG detail grading. Learn more >

What does Grade 70 mean?

A coin with no post-production flaws visible under 5x magnification is graded MS70 or PF70 by ANG.

Minting Types

ANG prefixes a coin's numerical grade with two letters to indicate its production method and overall appearance. Among these, MS is the most commonly used, standing for Mint State (uncirculated), which refers to coins minted for circulation; and PF, standing for Proof, which are coins specially minted for collectors. Another minting type is SP, standing for Specimen, which describes coins that do not meet the Proof standard but are in better condition than regular circulation coins.

Mint State. The coin's strike remains as it was at the time of issue, graded 60-70.

Proof. The coin is specially struck for collectors.

Specimen. The coin's condition is between MS and PF.

Numerical Grading

ANG uses numerical grading to succinctly describe the condition of a problem-free coin. Based on the internationally recognized quantitative standard developed in the 1940s, the numerical grading scale ranges from 1 to 70. The higher the number, the better the coin's condition. Below grade 60, some numbers are skipped, and grade 60 is the threshold for determining whether a coin is uncirculated.

MS/PF 70

No post-production flaws visible under 5x magnification.

MS/PF 69

The coin's strike is nearly flawless.

MS/PF 68

Sharp strike with only minor flaws.

MS/PF 67

Sharp strike with slight flaws.

MS/PF 66

Excellent strike with a few spots or fine marks.

MS/PF 65

Good strike with moderate spots or fine marks.

MS/PF 64

Medium or better strike with several noticeable spots, fine marks, and other minor flaws.

MS/PF 63

Medium or weak strike with moderate scratches and varying sizes of fine marks.

MS/PF 62

Medium or weak strike with no wear; scratches more severe than MS/PF 63.

MS/PF 61

Medium or weak strike with no wear; multiple spots and/or larger scratches.

MS/PF 60

Medium or weak strike with no wear; multiple scratches, fine marks, and/or large spots.

AU 58

Light wear on the high points of the design; full details.

AU 55

Light wear on less than 50% of the design; full details.

AU 53

Light wear on no more than 50% of the design; full details with slight softening on high points.

AU 50

Light wear on more than 50% of the design; full details with slight softening on high points.

XF 45

Full details with light wear on some high points.

XF 40

Full details with light wear on most high points.

VF 35

Full details with light wear on all high points.

VF 30

Nearly full details with moderate softening of the design.

VF 25

Nearly full details with significant softening of the design.

VF 20

Medium details with clear letters and numbers.

F 15

Light softening in recessed areas with clear letters and numbers.

F 12

Significant softening in recessed areas with clear letters and numbers.

VG 10

Overall wear on the design with softened letters and numbers.

VG 8

Overall wear on the design with significantly softened letters and numbers.

G 6

Full peripheral letters and numbers with a clear rim.

G 4

Nearly full peripheral letters and numbers with a worn rim.

AG 3

Most letters and numbers are readable; the rim is worn into the inner fields.

FR 2

Some details visible; the rim is difficult to discern.

PO 1

Sufficient details to identify the coin's date and type; the rim is flat or nearly flat.

Descriptive Grading: For bulk submissions of common coins, ANG occasionally uses descriptive grading instead of numerical grading. To learn more about descriptive grading, click here .

Plus and Star

ANG uses the plus symbol ( ) to identify coins that are of better quality within a grade, i.e., coins that are close to the requirements of the next higher grade. ANG uses the star symbol ( ) to identify coins within a grade that have exceptional visual appeal. After evaluation, all coins that qualify for a star or plus symbol will automatically receive this designation. ANG does not charge extra fees for this, as it is part of the ANG coin grading process.

ANG Plus Symbol

ANG awards a " " to coins that are graded within a certain grade but are of better quality (i.e., close to the requirements of the next higher grade). For example, a coin graded ANG MS 64 is close to the quality of an ANG MS 65 coin. Read More

In addition to high technical craftsmanship, coins that receive a " " must have above-average visual appeal.

Not all coins can receive a " ". Coins graded from ANG XF 45 to ANG MS 68 or ANG PF 45 to ANG PF 68 can receive a " "; coins graded above or below these levels cannot. The " " can also be awarded to eligible U.S. coins minted from 1792 to the present (excluding U.S. investment gold and silver coins and modern commemorative coins) and world coins minted before 1970.

During the grading process, all coins are evaluated for eligibility for the " " designation. Only coins submitted for grading are evaluated for the " " designation.

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ANG Star Symbol ( )

ANG awards a star symbol ( ) to coins that are exceptionally attractive within their grade. Read More

Having an eye-catching appearance is one of the most subjective characteristics of a coin, but coin graders also score based on other criteria. If a coin has an extremely attractive appearance, it often features very vibrant colors and dazzling luster, especially for proof coins with deep relief and strong contrast between the fields and devices. Coins that meet the criteria for the star symbol ( ) must have fields free of any noticeable defects and must not have any unsightly spots or stains. Coins with toning can be a single color or multiple colors, but they must not have dark brown or near-black patches.

It is important to note that the star symbol ( ) does not significantly affect the grade. For example, an ANG MS64 ( ) coin may be closer to MS 63 or MS 65.

ANG awards the star symbol ( ) to eligible coins during the normal grading process. Coins that have already been certified by ANG can be resubmitted for the star symbol ( ) through the "Designation Review Service."

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Strike Characteristics

Strike characteristics are used to describe specific properties of the appearance of a struck coin, as well as information that is of particular interest to collectors. For example, strike characteristics can describe the amount of original mint red on a copper coin (BN (brown), RB (red-brown), and RD (red)), the contrast between the frosted design elements and the mirror-like fields of a proof coin (Cameo and Ultra Cameo), or other distinctive features, such as FB (Full Bands), which applies to Mercury dimes.

Red. The coin has full mint red luster.

Red-Brown. The coin has a mix of red and brown luster.

Brown. The coin has full or nearly full brown luster.

Ultra Cameo

Applicable only to PF coins. Both sides of the coin are highly mirrored, and the design elements are heavily frosted, creating a strong contrast effect.

Cameo

Applicable only to PF coins. Both sides of the coin are highly mirrored, and the design elements are frosted, creating a certain contrast effect.

DPL

Deep Prooflike. Both sides of the coin are highly mirrored. Not applicable to proof coins.

Prooflike. Both sides of the coin are mirrored. Not applicable to proof coins.

ANG Issue Designations

ANG offers several special issue designations that allow users to know that the coin was received by ANG during a specific time period or at a special event and subsequently graded. These issue designations, such as Early Releases, First Releases, First Day of Issue, and Show Releases, capture the excitement of new coin releases and often come with special ANG certification labels.

Early Releases

ANG or ANG-authorized custodians can provide the "Early Releases" designation for coins received within 30 days of their release.

First Releases

ANG or ANG-authorized custodians can provide the "First Releases" designation for coins received within 30 days of their first release.

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