Coin Picture Grading for Newbies

This are Coin Pictures Grading for Newbies. I have many request from newbies in this hobbies for a grading pictures that can help them understand a little bit about coin grading. I have been taking hundreds of picture and videos trying to get the best pictures for this. This pictures in here is the best one that I can think will help newbies to understand grading for coins. Coin grading involved evaluation of coin surface, lustre and coin details. You can try compare this grading pictures with your own coin, to understand what is your coin condition. Other collector maybe have different opinion on grading. This is just a simple guide for beginners in coin collecting. Please click on the picture to enlarged them.

UNCIRCULATED: Uncirculated coins are in condition as minted without any signs of circulation but may have traces of mint bag marks. There is no nick or abrasion. Older coins maybe tarnished or toned. As you can see, Malaysia 1968 1 sen coin only have 1 to 2 bag marks on them and the lustre is brilliant. All the detail is sharp and can be seen.

EXTREMELY FINE: Extremely fine coins are those with the slightest degree of wear on the highest points of the design, particularly in the hairlines of portraits and on the central figures of armorial bearings. There is light wear on close inspection details. Item is sharp and clear. As you can see in this Straits Settlements 1907 one dollar coin, only slight degree of wear on the highest points of the design, lustre is still visible. All the detail is sharp and can be seen. (For Information, I am having problem taking a good picture for extremely fine coin, this is the best picture that I can put in here. This coin already been cleaned and some cleaned mark maybe can be seen).

VERY FINE: Very fine coins will show a fair degree of wear at the high points of design. The lettering and raised parts of the coin may be partly worn or flattened. However, details relatively still remain sharp overall. Traces of mint lustre lingers amongst the letters of inscription. As you can see in this Straits Settlements 1910 20 cents coin, Some high points of design is missing, The hair details on the King Edward is missing.

FINE: Fine coins would have been considerably worn, particularly in the hair lines of portraits and on the central figures of armorial bearings. However, details may remain visible; some minor nicks and scratches may be expected. As you can see in this Straits Settlements one cent 1894 coin, it still show the basic design. the date and the inscription still can be seen. (For information, I am having problem taking a toned fine condition coin. This coin already been cleaned and some cleaned mark maybe can be seen).

VERY GOOD: Coins in this condition always show considerable wear, with most of high points of design may remain visible. In this condition, coins may be stained, or have scratches and nicks. Inscription and date considerably worn but legible, most of the details are almost flat. Parts of the lettering are illegible. Some parts may be corroded or stained. there are minor edge nicks. As you can see in this Straits Settlements 1 cent 1901 coin, only some parts of lettering can be seen.

CLEANED COIN: The first picture is a cleaned coin. you can see all the details look shiny and lustre. Some cleaned mark can be seen on the coin.

HIGH POINT OF DESIGN: These are the areas where the wear from circulation is most likely to appear; Dentils, portraits details, denomination lettering etc.

Source: Steven Tan coin book, KN Boon coin book, eurekametro know your money book.