Coin grading explained: a plain-English UK guide

A 1887 Jubilee Head sovereign in 'Fine' might fetch melt value. The same coin in 'Uncirculated' can sell for £1000+. The coin is identical — only the wear is different. Understanding grade is the difference between selling for £450 and £4500.

Poor (P) / Fair: design barely visible, often only the date readable.

Fine (F): all major design features present but heavily worn.

Very Fine (VF): clear detail, slight wear on highest points only.

Extremely Fine (EF): only the slightest wear on the highest points; most original detail intact.

About Uncirculated (AU) / Uncirculated (UNC): no real wear from circulation; full detail; mint lustre may be partly disturbed by handling.

Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) / FDC: as struck, full original mint lustre, no marks.

Examine the highest points of the design — these wear first. On a sovereign, that's St George's thigh, the horse's flank, and the monarch's hair. On a Victorian penny, it's Britannia's breast and shield.

Look at the field (the flat background). Original mint lustre is the satin sheen on uncirculated coins. Once it's polished off — usually by cleaning — it never comes back.

PCGS and NGC are American grading services that encapsulate coins in tamper-evident plastic and assign a numerical grade (1-70). For UK coins worth £500+, a slab adds buyer confidence and can lift sale price 10-30%. For common coins it adds nothing and costs more than it returns.

Self-grading consistently overestimates condition. If a coin might be worth £300+, get a professional opinion. We grade in front of you and explain exactly what we see — there's no charge for an opinion. Call Nick on 07956 520733 or book a visit.