Grading does however provide an important set of benchmarks, that facilitate collectors' and purchasers' assessment of a coin’s quality.

It is important to asses the condition of a coin because the value of the coin is affected by the grade. If the coin has been in some form of jewellery it loses quite a bit of value. Rims, nicks, polishing and scratches are all important details that are considered in grading coins.

City Coins uses the following grading for its coins (displayed from best to worst) :

Fleur-de-coin (FDC)
Uncirculated (UNC)
About Uncirculated (AU)
Extremely Fine (XF)
Very Fine (VF)
Fine (F)
Very Good (VG)
Fair (FR) & Poor (P)

Fleur-de-coin (FDC) back to top
A “Fleur-de-coin” is a coin which is perfectly struck on a large round flan exhibiting full, unbroken lustre. Every minute detail of the dies is expressed in the strike. To reiterate, it is a completely flawless mint state coin with nothing forgiven. This grade is very rare, not to be taken lightly or accepted easily.

Uncirculated (UNC) back to top
An “Uncirculated” coin is a coin that shows no visible signs of use or wear. Coins may show markings on the field. Term to indicate a coin or numismatic item that has never been in circulation, a coin without wear.

About un-circulated (AU) back to top
Has traces of light wear on many of the high points. At least half of the mint lustre is still present.

Extremely Fine (XF) back to top
A coin in “Extremely Fine” condition includes a wide range of quality. This ranges from coins with some lustre to those with no lustre, and some wear on the fine details. In general, an XF coin has a full and complete design which on close examination exhibits minimal wear on the detail and can be completely devoid of lustre.

Very Fine (VF) back to top
A coin in “Very Fine” condition should have a full inscription, and all devices will be only moderately worn. A VF coin will usually have the most wear on the high points - hairlines, cheekbones, dress folds, and headgear (if present). Major parts of the design are clear, but minor details are weak. These coins are well circulated, with many coins fitting into this grade.

Fine (F) back to top
A coin in “Fine” condition has seen a great deal of circulation. The coin should have a full or almost full inscription, while some letters may be weak. Hairlines and other smaller details, such as headgear, dress folds, and facial features, will show significant flatness, although the major devices on the coin will be fully outlined.

Very Good (VG) back to top
A coin in “Very Good” condition is not very good at all. The small details are all gone, as well as most of the large details. The portrait of figures is outlined, and has some relief, but often, a good deal of the legend is worn away. Coins of this grade quite often have scratches, bumps, and other disfigurements.

Fair (FR) & Poor (P) back to top
A coin in either “Fair” or “Poor” condition is basically just a slick round piece of metal with a faint outline of some shape which might be a nose, ear, or maybe just a ding in the metal.