GRADING STANDARDS

Lincoln Cents


GOOD:

OBVERSE: Entire design well worn with very little detail remaining. Legend and date are weak but visible.

REVERSE: Wheat is worn nearly flat but is completely outlined. Some grains are visible.


VERY GOOD:

OBVERSE: Outline of hair shows but most details are smooth. Cheek and jaw are smooth. More than half the bow tie is visible. Legend and date are clear.

REVERSE: Wheat shows some details and about half of the lines at the top.


FINE:

OBVERSE: Some details show in the hair. Cheek and jaw are worn nearly smooth. LIBERTY show clearly with no letters missing. The ear and bow are visible.

REVERSE: Most details are visible in the stalks. Top wheat lines are worn but separated.


VERY FINE:

OBVERSE: Head shows considerable flatness. Nearly all the details still show in the hair and on the face. Ear and bow tie worn but bold.

REVERSE: Lines in wheat stalks are worn but plain and without weak spots.


EXTREMELY FINE:

OBVERSE: Wear shows on hair above ear, the cheek, and on the jaw.

REVERSE: High points of wheat stalks are worn, but each line is clearly defined. Traces of mint luster still show.


BU (Brilliant Uncirculated):

A strictly uncirculated coin with attractive mint luster but noticeable detracting contact marks or minor blemishes.



Grading Standards are set by the American Numismatic Association as outlined in the Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins, Fifth Edition, copyright © 1996. This reference book is available for purchase for $13.95. Hyperlink to our Coin Supplies Page for more information.


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