The Sheldon coin grading scale rates coins from P-1 (Poor, barely identifiable) to MS-70 (Perfect Mint State). It is the universal standard used by PCGS, NGC, and all major coin grading services. Use the interactive grade estimator below or browse the full scale reference.
Grade Estimator
Answer questions about the coin to get a suggested grade range:
Full Sheldon Scale Reference
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Proof Coins: PF/PR Scale
Proof coins (specially struck for collectors) use the same 60–70 number range but with PF or PR prefix. PF-70 is a perfect proof with mirror-like fields. PF-65 is Gem Proof. Proof coins are not graded below 60 — if damaged, they receive a straight grade (no prefix).
How to Use the Coin Grading Reference
This coin grading reference covers every grade on the Sheldon scale with wear descriptions and relative value guides. Use the grade estimator to get a suggested grade based on coin characteristics, then verify against the full scale.
Identifying Wear Points
Start by identifying the high points of the coin design — for a Walking Liberty half dollar, this is the eagle's breast feathers and Liberty's head. For a Morgan dollar, it's the cheek, hair above the ear, and eagle's breast. These areas wear first. Examine under good lighting at a low angle to detect subtle wear invisible in direct light.
Circulated vs Uncirculated
The key distinction: any friction or wear from circulation drops a coin below MS-60. All MS coins (60–70) are fully uncirculated with no wear whatsoever. AU (About Uncirculated) coins have very slight high-point rub but retain most luster. The AU-58 / MS-60 boundary is one of the most scrutinized distinctions in numismatics.
Value Differences Within MS
Within the Mint State range, small grade differences mean large price differences. An MS-65 Morgan dollar might be worth $200; an MS-66 might be $1,000; MS-67 might be $10,000+. Population reports (PCGS and NGC census data) show how many examples exist at each grade — the rarer the grade for a specific date, the more dramatic the premium.
FAQ
Is this coin grading reference free?
Yes, completely free. Reference all Sheldon scale grades and use the grade estimator without any account or payment.
Is my data safe?
Everything runs locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
What is the Sheldon coin grading scale?
The Sheldon scale was created by numismatist Dr. William Sheldon in 1949. It rates coins from P-1 (Poor, barely identifiable) to MS-70 (Perfect Mint State, no imperfections). The scale was originally tied to price ratios — an MS-70 coin was theoretically worth 70× a P-1 coin. Today it's the universal standard used by PCGS and NGC.
What is the difference between MS-60 and MS-70?
All Mint State (MS) coins are uncirculated with no wear. The difference lies in the quality of the strike, luster, and contact marks. MS-60 has heavy contact marks and poor luster but no wear. MS-65 is Gem quality with strong luster and minimal marks. MS-70 is a perfect coin with no marks under 5× magnification — extremely rare.
What is the AU (About Uncirculated) grade?
AU grades (AU-50 through AU-58) describe coins that have very slight wear on the highest points but retain most of their original mint luster. AU-58 coins are nearly indistinguishable from uncirculated; AU-50 shows more obvious rubbing on high points. AU coins command prices between MS and EF grades.
Should I clean my coins before grading?
Never clean coins before professional grading. Cleaning — even gentle polishing — destroys the coin's natural patina and luster, causing PCGS and NGC to label them 'Cleaned' or 'Improperly Cleaned,' which significantly reduces value. A coin with an ugly but natural surface is worth more than the same coin cleaned.
What does a PCGS or NGC grade mean?
PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) are the two leading coin grading services. They encapsulate coins in tamper-evident plastic slabs with an assigned grade. Slabbed coins from these services trade at significant premiums over raw (ungraded) coins because buyers trust the assigned grade.