Collector’s Corner: Do your coins make the grade?
By Medicine Hat News on March 31, 2018.
Before I delve into this column on grading coins I would like to remind you of our Spring Coin & Stamp Show on April 7 at Higdon Hall (Stampede Grounds) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Watch for signs. Admission is $2. Over the past years I have been talking about coins being graded and there values, but I would like to talk about grading coins. The grading of a coin is the opinion of that person, and may very slightly between people, but it should never be more than one grade difference. I have seen coins that have been marked on the 2×2 cardboard MS65, when the coin is only an F. Just because the coin is shiny and clean it does not mean it is a mint shape coin. Grading of coins is complicated and I will only be giving you a Grading 101 crash course today. For simplicity I will be breaking it down over four sections: Queen Victoria, King Edward, King George and Queen Elizabeth. In grading coins it’s best to check on the obverse side (the side with the portrait). The best grade in a circulation coin is a MS coin, which I will leave for the experts as there is very little difference between grades, and basically all you need to remember it is a mint shape coin, and not touched by human hands. (with exceptions) You will always be safe if you remember that. Queen Victoria: Just below the MS coin is the AU-slight traces of wear with full lustre; EF-hair on the first strand of the braid has lost detail; VF-the braid from the start to down around the ear is beginning to blur; F-the 2 twists of the top knot are merging and central leaves of the laurel wreath show wear; VG-no details in braid around ear; G-only a silhouette of the portrait, no details left. King Edward and King George V (1092-1936): AU-slight traces of wear on high points; EF-the bands and jewels of the crown have lost their round corners; VF-the ear, beard in front of the ear, mustache, eyebrow and ribbon bow all show wear; F-the central crown bands, with jewels and pearls are 50 per cent worn away; VG-Over 75 per cent of the crown bands are worn away; G-only a silhouette of the portrait no details left. King George VI (1937-1952): AU-the highest points begin to show slight wear.; EF-the wave of hair above the ear show wear; VF-the ear and hair wave above the ear are starting to flatten; F-a balding effect beginning to start; VG-only the outline of hair and ear remains; G-only a silhouette of the portrait no details. Queen Elizabeth (1953-1964): AU-slight wear on the eyebrow and high points; EF-slight wear on the swept back hair and laurel wreath; VF-the hairline from above the eye to the nape of the neck shows wear; F-the four central laurel leaves and the top next leaves are almost worn through; VG-all detail of the laurel leaves and hair have been worn away. In order to view the coin properly and easily I would suggest using a magnifier with at least a 10-times power. The above grading is only a guideline used by most collectors. Some collectors prefer to have their valuable coins graded by professionals, however it does cost about $15 plus shipping and tax per coin to have it professionals done. There are only a few of these professional graders in Canada. By having it professedly done it removes the doubt of what grade the coin really is, and also knowing it is not a counterfeit coin. If you have a coin that you think is worth a lot of money feel free to get a hold of me and I would be happy to tell you my opinion of the grade of the coin. Collector’s Corner is contributed by the Medicine Hat Coin & Stamp Club. For questions or comments about coin or stamp collection email medhatcsc@live.com. 10-9
