U.S. Coin Grades

These are grades, which are a shorthand for describing how "worn out" a coin is. The criteria for determining grades varies for each type of coin, and are provided by a few books and on a few web pages for particular types of coins.

Books:

• A Guide Book of United States Coins, by R.S. Yeoman.
  The "Red Book" - available in most public libraries, and often the first coin book purchased by collectors. It has very brief descriptions for each grade.
• Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins.
  Full details and photos for each grade. The standard reference for advanced collectors and dealers. Definitive for grading circulated coins (grades AG to AU). Slightly ambiguous in grading standards for EF Indian Cents and for VF Buffalo nickels
• PCGS Guide to Grading and Counterfeit Detection.
  This is supposed to be a good reference on grading uncirculated coins.
• How to Grade U.S. Coins, by James L. Halperin.
  This has a fairly objective "points system" for grading uncirculated coins. (See the online version on the web page below)

Web pages:

• www.uscents.com/coppergrade US Cents - large cents, with verbal descriptions and photos with lighting from different angles.
• www.indiancent.com Eagle Eye Rare Coins - grading for Indian Head Cents
  Very precise details and photos for each grade, especially for the EF grade.
• coingrading.com James L. Halperin
  Online version of his book How to Grade U.S. Coins.