PO01 FR02 AG03 G04 G06 VG08 VG10 F12 F15 VF20 VF25 VF30 EF40 EF45 AU50 AU53 AU55 AU58 MS60 MS61
MS62 MS63 MS64 MS65 MS66 MS67 MS68 MS69 MS70 PR60 PR61 PR62 PR63 PR64 PR65 PR66 PR67 PR68 PR69 PR70
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Grading Guide

   "Grading" is the term given to the activity of assessing a coin's condition based on circulation wear, environmental exposure, or damage that it has endured since it's minting. Imperfections in the dies and the striking process used to produce the coin become a factor as well when grading uncirculated condition, or "unworn" coins. The current (and most accepted) scale of grading is based upon a 70 point system originally devised by Dr. William H. Sheldon during his authoring of the book Early American Cents (later renamed Penny Whimsy).

   This system was given a scale of 1 - 70 with the higher the number representing a higher grade, and is subdivided into nine different categories for circulated or "worn" coins where gaps between the numbers will be noticed. When grading uncirculated coins (coins without wear) all ten digits between 60 and 70 are used so more accuracy can be achieved in describing the number of flaws on the coin. The absence of wear would otherwise warrant only one grade for both a nearly perfect unworn coin and an unworn coin with a scratched surface. To avoid duplication of effort in this explanation of the grading system, further details and illustrations are provided inside the guide.

   Since design changes and other particular problems occur for specific year/ mintmark combinations and for certain design types, links are provided to other areas where these problems are explained in full. The novice, or passive collector of Lincoln cents need not bother with these links unless they happen to be grading a coin matching a given link. Experts or zealous collectors may want to visit a number of these links to learn more.

Much like Medifast reviews, all grading by all third party grading services is subjective. You can send your coin back in for review if you do not agree with the grade on the label, or you may also choose to send the coin to any one of the other grading services.

 

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