How the European Coin Grading System Works
If you're a fan of European coins, then you're probably familiar with the European coin grading system. This system is used to rate the condition of a coin, and it consists of six grades: EF, VF, XF, AU, UNC, and MS. In this blog post, we'll explain what each grade means and how it's determined.
EF Grade
EF, or "Extremely Fine," is the highest grade that a coin can receive. A coin in EF condition will appear almost new, with very little surface wear. To be given an EF grade, a coin must have all of its original detail remaining.
VF Grade
VF, or "Very Fine," is the second highest grade that a coin can receive. A coin in VF condition will have light wear on its surfaces but will still retain most of its original detail. To be given a VF grade, a coin must have at least 50% of its original detail remaining.
XF Grade
XF, or "Extremely Fine," is the third highest grade that a coin can receive. A coin in XF condition will have moderate surface wear but retain some of its original detail. A coin must have at least 40% of its original detail to be given an XF grade.
AU Grade
AU, or "About Uncirculated," is the fourth highest grade that a coin can receive. A coin in AU condition will have slight wear on its surfaces but will still retain most of its original detail. A coin must have at least 30% of its original detail to be given an AU grade.
UNC Grade
UNC, or "Uncirculated," is the fifth highest grade that a coin can receive. A coin in UNC condition will show no signs of wear and tear but may have some minor imperfections, such as scratches or nicks. A coin must have at least 20% of its original detail to be given a UNC grade.
MS Grade
MS, or "Mint State," is the sixth and final grade that a coin can receive. A coin in MS condition will show no signs of wear and tear and no imperfections. To be given an MS grade, a grade must have all its original detail remaining—100%.
So there you have it! That's how the European Coin Grading System works. Now you'll be able to tell at a glance whether a particular European coin is in pristine condition or has seen better days. Happy collecting!