Adjectival Grades

Definition: Adjectival grades are the mostly subjective coin grades used prior to the widespread acceptance of the Sheldon 70-point coin grading scale. Some of the most common adjectival grades included:

• Poor (P)
• Fair (FR)
• About Good (aG)
• Good (G)
• Very Good (VG)
• About Fine (aF)
• Fine (F)
• Very Fine (VF)
• Good Very Fine (gVF)
• About Extremely Fine (aEF)
• Extremely Fine (EF)
• Choice Extremely Fine (XF)
• About Uncirculated (AU)
• Uncirculated (Unc)
• Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)
• Choice Uncirculated (Choice Unc or Choice BU)
• Gem Brilliant Uncirculated (Gem BU)

The last 3 grades in this list are approximately equivalent overall, but they may have held a higher or lower meaning to a particular dealer or auction firm.

Most of these grades have been assigned a numerical value under the modified Sheldon 70-point grading scale.