Do your coins make the grade?
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 2x2 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):
AUslight 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; Gonly 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.