PCGS US Coins - numerical grading scale & description

Grade Description
Graded Poor>
PO-1 Identifiable date and type
FR-2 Mostly worn, though some detail is visible

Graded G>
AG-3 Worn rims but most lettering is readable though worn
G-4 Slightly worn rims, flat detail, peripheral lettering nearly full
G-6 Rims complete with flat detail, peripheral lettering full
VG-8 Design worn with slight detail
VG-10 Design worn with slight detail, slightly clearer

Graded Fine>
F-12 Some deeply recessed areas with detail, all lettering sharp
F-15 Slightly more detail in the recessed areas, all lettering sharp
VF-20 Some definition of detail, all lettering full and sharp
VF-25 Slightly more definition in the detail and lettering
VF-30 Almost complete detail with flat areas
VF-35 Detail is complete but worn with high points flat
EF-40 Detail is complete with most high points slightly flat
EF-45 Detail is complete with some high points flat
EF-45+ Detail is complete with a few high points flat. Superior eye appeal.

Graded Almost Uncirculated
AU-50 Full detail with friction over most of the surface, slight flatness on high points
AU-50+ Full detail with friction over most of the surface, very slight flatness on high points. Good eye appeal.
AU-53 Full detail with friction over 1/2 or more of surface, very slight flatness on high points
AU-53+ Full detail with friction on only 1/2 of surface, extremely slight flatness on high points. Positive eye appeal.
AU-55 Full detail with friction on less than 1/2 surface, mainly on high points
AU-55+ Full detail with slight friction on less than 1/2 of surface, on high points. Eye appeal is good.
AU-58 Full detail with only slight friction on the high points
AU-58+ Full detail with the barest trace of friction on the highest points. Superior eye appeal.

Graded Mint Condition
MS/PR-60 No wear. May have many heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-61 No wear. Multiple heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-62 No wear. Slightly less marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-62+ No wear. Still slightly above number of marks/hairlines, strike may not be full. Attractive eye appeal for grade.
MS/PR-63 Moderate number/size marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-63+ Average number of marks/hairlines, strike will be close to average. Good eye appeal for grade.
MS/PR-64 Few marks/hairlines or a couple of severe ones, strike should be average or above
MS/PR-64+ Very few marks/hairlines or a couple of heavier ones, strike should be average or above. Superior eye appeal.
MS/PR-65 Minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike
MS/PR-65+ Very minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike and eye appeal
MS/PR-66 Few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, good strike
MS/PR-66+ Very few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, very good strike with superior eye appeal
MS/PR-67 Virtually as struck with minor imperfections, very well struck
MS/PR-67+ Virtually as struck with very minor imperfections, very well struck with attractive eye appeal
MS/PR-68 Virtually as struck with slight imperfections, slightest weakness of strike allowed
MS/PR-68+ Virtually as struck with very slight imperfections, the strike must be virtually full. Eye appeal must be very good.
MS/PR-69 Virtually as struck with minuscule imperfections, near full strike necessary
MS/PR-70 As struck, with full strike

In addition to the 1-70 scale presented above, the suffixes described below are added to some grades in certain series to expand on the numerical grade.

Additional Designation & Description (wording used in grading)
Business Strike - A business strike is a coin struck for the purpose of becoming circulating coinage; a coin meant for commerce, rather than for collectors. Contrasted with Proof coins, which are struck especially for collectors.
Color: RD Red (more)
Color: RB Red-Brown (more)
Color: BN Brown (more)
Strike: FS Full Steps (more)
Strike: FB Full Bands (more)
Strike: FH Full Head (more)
Strike: FBL Full Bell Lines (more)
Surface: DM Deep Mirror Prooflike (more)
Surface: PL Prooflike (more)
Surface: DC Deep Cameo (more)
Strike: CA Cameo (more)
Strike: BM Branch Mint Proof
Strike: BMCA Branch Mint Cameo
FS First Strike (All Eagles, Gold Buffalos and Gold Spouse Coins)
SF Satin Finish
SMS Special Mint Set
SP Specimen (more)
Pos. A Edge Lettering on 2007 to Date $1 coins - Edge lettering is facing up when the reverse side of the coin is facing up
Pos. B Edge Lettering on 2007 to Date $1 coins - Edge lettering is facing up when the obverse side of the coin is facing up

PCGS No Grades
Occasionally, the experts at PCGS encounter coins which, for one reason or another, cannot be authenticated or graded. These "No Grade" coins fall into three categories: problem coins, inconclusive, or ineligible. "No Grades" in the first category will be placed in a PCGS Genuine capsule (except where noted). Those in the final two categories will be returned to the submitter un-encapsulated. All coins, encapsulated or not, will receive one of the "No Grade" codes listed in the tables below.

Problem Coins
All of the coins in this category (other than 83 and 99) submitted through the regular PCGS services will be placed in a PCGS Genuine holder, ungraded, with one of the following numerical codes placed after the coin number on the holder insert. On certain No Grades (as noted in the table below) the problem is more fully described on the insert. To read a more comprehensive description of any No Grade, click on the “more” link of any No Grade category.


Code Reason Explanation Described Holdered
82 Filed Rims Rim(s) and/or edge is filed. (more) Yes Yes
83 Peeling Lamination Potential for sealing damage. (more) Yes No
84 Holed and/or Plugged Any filled or non-filled hole. (more) Yes Yes
86 Authenticity Unverifiable Coin's status inconclusive. (more) Yes No
90 Counterfeit Fake coin or altered mintmark, date, variety. (more) Yes No
91 Questionable Color Any artificial re-toning & dipped copper. (more) No Yes
92 Cleaning Harsh cleaning or polishing. (more) No Yes
93 Planchet Flaw Generally large & prominent flaw(s). (more) No Yes
94 Altered Surfaces Any applied substance (wax, putty, lacquer). (more) No Yes
95 Scratch(s) Large & prominent scratch(s). (more) No Yes
96 No Service PCGS does not currently grade this item. (more) Yes No
97 Environmental Damage Corrosion, excessive toning, verdigris. (more) No Yes
98 Damage Any metal movement. (more) Yes Yes
99 PVC Residue Oily polyvinylchloride substance. (more) Yes No