From 1 to 70. A coin's life, in numbers.
Ten brackets. Five qualities we look for. One number that captures everything about a coin's preservation. This is how IGA grades.
The full 1–70 spectrum.
Tap a segment to read what defines that bracket.
Mint State
Never circulated. Quality is everything.
Mint State means no wear at all — not a single trace of circulation. But within this bracket lies an entire universe: from coins with heavy bag marks at the low end, to coins that approach perfection at 70. The differences come down to surface preservation, luster, strike sharpness, and that elusive quality called eye appeal. This is where the most coveted coins live.
- Zero wear
- Quality varies from 60 to 70
- Where the great pieces live
About Uncirculated
Almost mint state — the faintest friction.
About Uncirculated is the highest grade for a coin that has seen any circulation at all. The friction is microscopic, often visible only at certain angles or under magnification. Most of the original mint luster survives. These coins are deeply collectible — many look uncirculated to the naked eye.
- Microscopic friction
- Most luster intact
- Looks Mint State at a glance
Extremely Fine
Only the slightest evidence of circulation.
Extremely Fine coins show the very lightest wear — just enough to confirm they once circulated. Most of the design is razor-sharp. Some traces of the original mint luster may still be visible in protected areas. These are highly collectible coins that bridge the gap between honest circulation and Mint State.
- Light wear on high points only
- Razor-sharp main detail
- Hints of original luster
Very Fine
Sharp detail with light, even wear.
Very Fine grades cover a wide range, but they share a common signature: the coin retains nearly all of its design sharpness, with only the highest points showing wear. Lettering, hair, feathers, motto details — everything is visible. The metal looks like it has seen circulation, but with grace.
- Nearly all detail sharp
- Wear only on highest points
- Pleasing surfaces
Fine
Moderate wear, most detail intact.
Fine coins have moderate, even wear across the high points, but every major detail is present and clear. This is the grade where the design begins to feel "complete" again — you can see what the engraver intended. Fine is a sweet spot for many collectors: strong eye appeal at a reasonable cost.
- All major detail clear
- Even moderate wear
- Strong eye appeal
Very Good
Well-worn but fully recognizable.
Very Good marks the point where major design elements become more than just outlines — some interior detail starts to return. Hair lines, feathers, or motto letters become partially visible. The rim is normally complete. These are honest, attractive circulated coins that show their history without losing their soul.
- Some interior detail returns
- Rim complete
- Honest circulated wear
Good
Major design intact, fine detail gone.
A Good coin shows the full outline of its design, with the major elements clearly recognizable, but the fine work — hair, feathers, lettering, small features — has been worn smooth. The rim may begin to merge with the field. Good is where many circulated coins land after decades of use.
- Full outline visible
- Lettering readable
- Fine detail flattened
About Good
Very heavily worn, with major outlines visible.
About Good coins show slightly more structure than Fair. Major design outlines are visible, but most interior detail is still worn flat. Lettering or date may be weak but should generally be identifiable.
- Major outlines visible
- Lettering weak but present
- Detail mostly flattened
Fair
Heavily worn, but identifiable.
Fair coins are extremely worn, with most design detail gone. The coin's type, date, or origin may still be identifiable, but only the strongest outlines remain. These are reference pieces, important for completing dates and types where higher grades are essentially unobtainable.
- Extremely heavy wear
- Basic identity remains
- Most design detail gone
Poor
Barely identifiable as a coin.
At Poor, the coin has been so heavily damaged or worn that only the most determined collector would seek it. Major design elements are gone; the surface may be scarred or corroded. The grade exists for completeness — to give an honest place on the scale to coins that have lived very hard lives.
- Outline barely visible
- Heavy surface damage
- Identification only
Five things a grader sees.
Behind every number is a careful evaluation of five qualities. The grade you see on a slab is their sum.
Preservation
The single most important factor. How much of the original design has survived the journey from the mint press to this moment? A coin's grade begins with preservation.
Surface Quality
The fields tell their own story. Hairlines, bag marks, contact points, and the overall character of the surface separate a strong coin from an exceptional one within the same numeric grade.
Strike
How sharply did the design transfer from die to coin? A full strike shows every intended detail. A weak strike — even on a flawless surface — leaves elements soft or incomplete.
Luster
The metallic glow that flows across an uncirculated coin like cartwheels in the light. Genuine luster is born from microscopic flow lines left by the strike. It cannot be faked, and it cannot be restored.
Eye Appeal
The hardest to define and the most important to feel. Color, balance, character, the way light catches a particular spot — eye appeal is what makes one coin command a premium over another of the same grade.
Every word, defined.
The full glossary covers every term that ever appears on a certificate — 59 of them, all in plain language.