Coin Grading Terms

Coin Grading Terms

•  FDC: (Fleur de Coin)  - A coin that has been struck from normal circulation dies where the strike is virtually faultless

• Gem-Uncirculated - GEM - A superior coin with an almost perfect strike. May show just a few minute detracting marks, barely visible to the naked eye. Virtually full lustre or mint bloom is present. An attractive toning , if present, may enchance eye appeal on silver coins. This is less desirable on bronze coins. Overall, a close to perfect coin.

• Uncirculated – UNC:  - May dispaly some weakness of strike and a small number of detracting marks of a moderate nature. If any of the above are excessive in an otherwise uncirculated coin, then such impediments should be mentioned separately as they may affect the coins value. Some mint bloom or lustre should still be present but may be subdued. Quite desirable due to the abscence of wear

• Almost Uncirculated – AUNC: -  Similar to above but with some slight traces of wear on the highest points. Some mint lustre usually remains particularly in the legends. Occasionally an aunc may have more eye appeal than unc but wear does not allow for a higher grade. Care must be taken not to mistake a weak strike for wear

• Extremely Fine - EF: -  Light wear is apparent on the high points of the design on both sides. A fair number of small detracting marks are likely to be evident. Lustre may still be present. but if so, then only in the legend around the rim. On George V coins, the centre diamond in the band of the Monarchs crown should be well raised and the pearls to left of it should be well separated

• Very Fine – VF:  -  Moderate wear has resulted in flat spots on the high points of the design generally on George V coins than later issues. Detracting marks and minor edge nicks may be present but if excessive should be mentioned. On the obverse of George V coins the centre diamond should show four edges but the pearls on the left have worn away A pleasing collectors coin.

• Fine – F:  - Extensive wear is evident on all the design. although the outline is still fairly raised. There may be many detracting marks but shouldn't be of a excessive nature. Prominent gauges or scratches are not acceptable.  George V coins - reverse - flat Emu bodey with virtually all the feathers worn away. Advance Australia is still bold. On the Obverse (head) the centre diamond is worn away but six pearls are still present

• Very Good – VG:   -  A coin of this grade will be very worn but with the basic design and date still readable. There may be many detracting marks but not to the extent that the coin appears damaged. Advance Australia may still be partly readable

• Good - G - Quite worn but still showing the outline of the design even if only faintly. There may be many detracting marks but it should have some eye appeal.  With George V all the letters should be readable except Advance Australia which is worn flat. A "true collectors coin" which is usually only worth bullion plus  a small reward that a dealer considers reasonable for his time and effort in selling this coin.


ANDA has a useful guide on it's web site where you can view images to give you a better idea - if you wish to view this please click here

Cleaning circulating coins

  Cleaning coins is not recommended, but if you really feel you must  clean your coins, follow the steps described below to minimize the risk of damaging them. Never use metal , abrasive polish or material like coca cola to clean your coins. Different metal coin dips are available on our website  for experienced collectors.

For the inexperienced use the steps below for cleaning coins . Circulating coins can be dirty and carry germs. This is the only instance in which an amateur should clean coins.

1. Wash your hands with soap.
   Washing up will remove the oils and tiny grit from your fingers.
2. Lay down a soft towel.
   Place a soft cloth or towel, folded over a couple of times, on your working surface to catch coins you might drop, and to provide a space for them to dry.
3. Set up your soapy bath.
   Fill a small plastic container with warm tap water. Do not use glass, china, or metal, as these hard surfaces can scratch your coins! Disposable food storage containers are perfect for this. Add a small amout of mild dish-washing detergent to the container filled with warm water. Don't overdo it - all you need is a really tiny squirt.
4. Prepare your final rinse bath.
   Fill a second plastic container with distilled / filtered water, for the final rinse. Although distilled water is by far the best, you can substitute hot running tap water filtered water.
5. Clean the coin.
   Pick up the first coin, and immerse it in the soapy water. Gently rub both sides of the coin between your fingers, paying attention to any stickiness or gunk. Rub gunk near the edges away from the center of the coin, not into it. Always work in an outward pattern. Dirt and gunk near the edges should simply be made to go over the side with your thumb, not all the way across the coin. Don't put all of your coins in the water at once! Do them one at a time, to avoid their coming in contact with each other and causing scratch marks on the surfaces.
6. Rinse the coin.
   Rinse the coin under running water, gently rubbing until all soap residue is gone. Always remember, gentleness is the key! Don't rub hard, and if you feel any grit, even light grit, don't rub it into the coin because it will scratch the coin very easily. Instead, sort of agitate the coin by moving it quickly in the water to dislodge the grit, touch it gently only if needed to free it up.
   
   Every motion you make with your fingers should be focused on not causing scratches to the coin's surface.
7. Do the finishing rinse.
   Swish the coin around in the distilled water, to remove the chlorine residue and other contaminants that are found in tap water. Hold it by the edges and agitate gently. At this point, you should no longer touch the coin on its faces. Touch it only by the edges when using your bare fingers.
   
   If you must use tap water for the final rinse, then run the coin under fairly hot water.
8. Allow the coin to dry.
   If you use a distilled  / filtered water rinse, you can set the coin on the towel to air dry. The coin should dry spot-free, because distilled water is free of dissolved minerals and other impurities.
   
   If you had to do the final rinse in hot tap water, then gently pat the coin dry to help prevent spotting. Never rub a coin dry! Always pat it dry gently with a soft cloth or tissue.
9. Repeat until finished.
   Now wash the rest of your coins, one at a time, following Steps 5 through 8 carefully. If you run across a coin that needs to soak for awhile to get clean, put it in the tub of water off to the side, so you don't accidentally ding it with another coin you are working on.
10. Store your coins.
    Make sure your coins are absolutely dry before putting them away.We stock a wide range of coin albums , trays , capsules , coin holders etc for safe storeage . Damp coins can suffer damage over time. Remember to always handle coins only by the edges, we stock coin tongs which are easy to use and grip the sides easily