Coin Grading Guide
Condition is the biggest factor in a coin’s value. IndiaCoins.info lists prices at five grades. These are general descriptions to help you place your coin; professional graders may judge more finely.
| Grade | Name | General description |
|---|---|---|
| VG | Very Good | Heavily worn. Main outlines of the design and legend are visible, but most fine detail is gone. |
| F | Fine | Moderate wear overall. Major design elements are clear, with some detail in the high points. |
| VF | Very Fine | Light to moderate wear on the high points. Most fine detail is still visible. |
| EF | Extremely Fine (also called XF) | Very light wear, only on the highest points. Sharp detail and some original lustre may remain. |
| UNC | Uncirculated | No wear from circulation. May show minor contact marks from handling or storage. Lustre and strike quality vary. |
Tips for judging condition
- Look at the highest points of the design first (the king or portrait’s hair and cheek, the crown, lettering edges); wear shows there earliest.
- Judge in good, angled light. A magnifying glass helps.
- Cleaning, polishing, scratches, holes, edge damage and repairs lower value significantly, whatever the wear grade.
- When unsure, grade conservatively, and for valuable coins consider an independent professional opinion.
Rarity labels on this site
- Common: regularly available.
- Scarce: harder to find in most grades.
- Rare: seldom offered.
- Very Rare: only occasionally seen on the market.
These are editorial guides and can change as new information appears.