THE GRADING OF OBSOLETE CURRENCY. There are no hard and fast rules for grading obsolete currency. A note that is FINE to one dealer may be anothers EXTREMALY FINE. Similar to the situation for coins, grading has become looser over the years. GRADE CATEGORIES: CHOICE or GEM UNCIRCULATED-UNC,-63 and 64 [Choice], UNC,-65 [Gem]. A crisp, bright bill with no evidence of creases,folds,or stains. UNCIRCULATED-Unc,-60. A new, never-circulated bill, but perhaps with slight evidences of a fold, crease, or smudges from handling [presumably by bank officers]. If part of the margins is trimmed away , this fact should be mentioned, but often it is not. ABOUT UNCIRCULATED-AU-53,55 and 58. A bright, attractive note,with some creases, folds, or light discoloration, but with only slight evidences of use in commerce. EXTREMELY FINE-EF-40 and 45. Bright and attractive,but with some slight stains or discoloration,prhaps with a pinhole or two or some small defect,but with overall excellent appearance. This is a bill that saw limited service in circulation. VERY FINE-VF-20 and 30.This is a widely used grade for a nicenote, worm but with nice features.Such a bill may be somewhat faded, but the printing and vignetes will be clear and the note will have an attractive overall appearance. There may be an edge chip or two, or perhaps a tiny piece off of a corner. FINE-FINE-12. A note with even morewear, often limp or flimsy from extended use in commerce, but with all printed areas intact and most of them sharply defined. May be stained or discolored in areas. VERY GOOD-VG-8. Well circulated, usually with some problems,tears, or perhaps a small piece missing from the border,etc. Flimsy and often faded or discolored. GOOD-G-4. Extensively circulated and with evidence of such, including small tears, perhaps edge pieces missing, areas of the printing and vignettes indistinct,and,often, old writing on the face of the note. POOR,FINE,and ABOUT GOOD-POOR-1, FAIR-2, AG-3. Notes that have been in circulation for a very long time, now with ragged edges or pieces missing, and often with significant areas of the note faded or otherwise not discernible. A filler. There are quite a few very early bills from the late 18th and early 19th century for which these grades may represent the finest known
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 08:52:55 +0000
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