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AU-58:Choice About Uncirculated
Wear: There will be a slight wear on the highest points of the coin.
In some cases, 5X magnification is needed to notice this wear, and
sometimes it can be noticed by slowly tilting in the coin in the light
source. This method often may show the slight friction as discoloration.
Very often, the obverse will have slight friction and the reverse will
be full Mint State ( often Ms-63 or higher).
Marks: There are usually very few marks for this grade. Instead of
marks, the principal detraction on the typical AU-58 coin are rub or
hairlines. The few marks should not be major or in prime focal areas. A
coin that would grade Au-58 from a wear standpoint, but has numerous
marks, would be graded Au-55 or lower.
Strike: Strike can range from below average to full. Note: A
very weak strike would be downgraded to Au-55 or lower.
Luster: The luster can range from poor to full. There will be
noticeable breaks in the luster on the high points. These areas will be
visible to the unaided eye., but should be less than 10 percent of the
surface area.
Eye Appeal: The eye appeal is usually very good.. Since the marks
are usually very minor, the eye appeal will be determined mainly by
strike, luster, and originality. Many AU-58 coins are lightly cleaned or
dipped uncirculated coins that are no longer considered uncirculated
because of the light cleaning or rubbing that is now present. These
coins can be just as attractive as coins that are graded AU-58 because
of slight circulation--and sometimes even more so. Often these coins
will have fewer marks than low grade uncirculated coins.
AU-55:Choice About Uncirculated
Wear: There will be slight wear on the high point and some friction
in the fields. The reverse will now usually show wear similar to that
one the obverse. In a few instances (coins stored face up that have
acquired friction), the reverse will still be uncirculated.
Marks: There usually will be several minor marks/hairlines and a
couple of major ones. These should be scattered between the devices and
fields, with nothing too severe on the prime focal areas.
Strike: The strike will range from slightly weak to full.
Luster: The luster can range from poor to full, although the areas
of wear will not show full luster. There will be breaks in the luster
covering 10 to 25 percent of the surface.
Eye Appeal: The eye appeal is usually good. The main criteria will
be surface preservation, lack of and placement of marks/hairlines, the
luster remaining, and originality.
AU-53: About Uncirculated
Wear: There will be obvious wear on the high points. Friction will
cover 50 to 75 percent of the fields.
Marks: There usually will be several minor and major
marks/hairlines. These will be scattered, or there can be small
concentrated areas of them, including the prime focal areas.
Strike: The strike will range from weak to full.
Luster: The luster can range from poor to full; however, rubbed
areas will not exhibit as much luster as the protected areas. There will
be noticeable breaks in the luster over one-half to three-fourths of the
coin.
Eye Appeal: The eye appeal now is a function of surface
preservation, lack of and placement of marks/hairlines, the luster
remaining, and originality.
AU-50:Choice About Uncirculated
Wear: Wear is evident. There can be friction in the fields, ranging
from half to all of the unprotected areas. The high point will have wear
that is very obvious to unaided eye.
Marks: There may be many marks/hairlines. However, may minor
marks/hairlines will be worn away, as much of the original surface shows
wear.
Strike: The strike will range from weak to full.
Luster: The luster can range from poor to full. Fifty to 100 percent
of the surface may have luster disturbance. In some cases, the only
luster remaining will be around protected devices.
Eye Appeal: The eye appeal is now a function of surface
preservation, lack of and placement of marks/hairlines, the luster
remaining, and originality.
NOTE: COINS THAT GRADE EF/PR-45 AND BELOW ARE GRADED ESSENTIALLY THE
SAME FOR REGULAR AND PROOF STRIKES. THEREFORE, FROM HERE ON, THE
CRITERIA WILL BE THE SAME FOR BOTH, WITH EXCEPTIONS NOTED.
EF-45:Choice Extremely Fine
Wear: The amount of weak will be noticeable, with all details still
sharp and clear and definition between individual parts of the devices.
Approximately 95 percent of the original major detail is still evident.
Marks: There may be a couple of very minor marks.
Luster: There can be some luster in the devices. Sometimes there can
be considerable luster in the fields. However, if there are no luster
present, a coin still can grade EF-45 if the detail is exceptional.
Strike: The strike will range from below average to full. For weakly
struck coins that show ear consistent with EF-45, the grade would
probably be EF-40 or lower.
Eye Appeal: The eye appeal will be determined by the cleanness of
surface, lack of or placement of marks, and originality.
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