How do you grade your british coins

[Caetobriga]

Hi,

What is the sistem that you use in the U.K for grading your coins? I know that there are MSs this and XFs that. But from Spink I only get F,VF etc.... In Portugal we use:

Reg- Regular, you can identify the coin , date but its very circulated;

Bc- Well preserved;

Mbc- Very well preserved;

Bela- Apparently did not circulate;

Soberba- Superb.

How do you do it for the british coins?

Regards.

[Peter]

It is right here on the main predecimal site.

http://www.predecimal.com/gradingchart.htm

[Caetobriga]

It is right here on the main predecimal site.

http://www.predecimal.com/gradingchart.htm

Thanks.

[TomGoodheart]

Extremely fine: A coin that exhibits very little sign of circulation, with only minimal marks or faint wear, which are only evident on very close scrutiny.

Very fine: A coin that exhibits some wear on the raised surfaces of the design, but really has had only limited circulation.

Fine: A coin that exhibits consideable wear to the raised surfaces of the design, either through circulation, damage or due to faulty striking.

Below Fine is Fair, which is basically recognisable to the extent you can tell what the reign, issue date and main distinguishing features are on the coin, but it won't be pretty!

Strictly speaking the hammered coins I collect are graded slightly more generously as follows:

Extremely fine: Design and legends sharp and clear.

Very fine: Design and legends still clear but with slight evidence of wear and/or minor damage.

Fine: Showing quite a lot of wear but still with design and legends distinguishable.

but in practice I try to stick to the former criteria, if I grade at all.

[argentumandcoins]

Then there is the ebay UK grade of

superb unc fdc RARE L@@K

which roughly translates as

common, poor state rubbish

[Peter]

Then there is the ebay UK grade of

superb unc fdc RARE L@@K

which roughly translates as

common, poor state rubbish

I'm afraid unless the dealer/seller on Ebay is known and I trust them after good deals I just ignore the grading stated.

There is frightfull overgrading/cleaned/dipped/tooled coins and some people must have a dumb switch in their brains to bid.

I have thrown away better stuff...how do some people have the cheek to try and sell it?

[Gollum]

I wonder if some sellers also clip old coins to get the extra silver.......

[Coinery]

I wonder if some sellers also clip old coins to get the extra silver.......

It would be madness! The devaluing impact clipping has on coins is far far above any pennies 'literally' that you would make from a few microgram of trim.

[Peter]

I wonder if some sellers also clip old coins to get the extra silver.......

It would be madness! The devaluing impact clipping has on coins is far far above any pennies 'literally' that you would make from a few microgram of trim.

I'm sure Tom (Richard) is currently in his shed trimming his shillings.

[moneyer12]

i use the book "grading british coins" and my own experience and expertise.

[Gary D]

These are my main grading aid

[Peckris]

These are my main grading aid

And here's mine.

[Oxford_Collector]

BTW one thing I've wondered, if I have a coin that has a small edge knock, but is otherwise a good "UNC", would it still be usual/reasonable to describe it as UNC when coming to sell? Thanks

[Nick]

BTW one thing I've wondered, if I have a coin that has a small edge knock, but is otherwise a good "UNC", would it still be usual/reasonable to describe it as UNC when coming to sell? Thanks

I think that the most useful description is exactly as you describe: "small edge knock, otherwise UNC".

[Oxford_Collector]

BTW one thing I've wondered, if I have a coin that has a small edge knock, but is otherwise a good "UNC", would it still be usual/reasonable to describe it as UNC when coming to sell? Thanks

I think that the most useful description is exactly as you describe: "small edge knock, otherwise UNC".

Okay, so it would still be considered to be a UNC coin then, albeit with an edge knock

[TomGoodheart]

BTW one thing I've wondered, if I have a coin that has a small edge knock, but is otherwise a good "UNC", would it still be usual/reasonable to describe it as UNC when coming to sell? Thanks

I think that the most useful description is exactly as you describe: "small edge knock, otherwise UNC".

Okay, so it would still be considered to be a UNC coin then, albeit with an edge knock

I'd say so. UNC strictly just means it's not been used as a coin. But we know that with modern stuff, it drops off conveyor belts and bounces around bags before it ever reaches a bank. Only specimens and proof coins would be expected to be free from any risk of marking because you're paying for them to be treated differently.

That said, some people (on ebay) might assume that UNC equates to 'perfect' so pointing out anything like an EK would be sensible insurance against complaints later on.

[Peter]

BTW one thing I've wondered, if I have a coin that has a small edge knock, but is otherwise a good "UNC", would it still be usual/reasonable to describe it as UNC when coming to sell? Thanks

I think that the most useful description is exactly as you describe: "small edge knock, otherwise UNC".

Okay, so it would still be considered to be a UNC coin then, albeit with an edge knock

I have no problem with that.Although the above would most likely be less than VF money.

I vow never to buy another coin with a noticeable edge knock.I don't mind good honest wear.

A coin may also have a marked scratch and be Unc.The same will apply.

However with hammered I will suffer a bit of clipping.Of course everyone wants a nice full round flan.

I have a few hammered shillings (esp CH 1) which are ragged flans but unclipped.

[Peckris]

BTW one thing I've wondered, if I have a coin that has a small edge knock, but is otherwise a good "UNC", would it still be usual/reasonable to describe it as UNC when coming to sell? Thanks

I think that the most useful description is exactly as you describe: "small edge knock, otherwise UNC".

Okay, so it would still be considered to be a UNC coin then, albeit with an edge knock

I have no problem with that.Although the above would most likely be less than VF money.

I vow never to buy another coin with a noticeable edge knock.I don't mind good honest wear.

A coin may also have a marked scratch and be Unc.The same will apply.

However with hammered I will suffer a bit of clipping.Of course everyone wants a nice full round flan.

I have a few hammered shillings (esp CH 1) which are ragged flans but unclipped.

That is VERY harsh. I'd suggest a coin with a small EK, UNC, should fetch at least EF money especially given the vast gulf between EF and UNC values these days.