Grading a coin can be difficult and often very subjective. Fortunately there is a group out there to help us out. The ANA or American Numismatic Association, a non-profit group created in 1891created a scale for grading coins that goes from 3 to 70, with 3 being About Good, and 70 being Perfect Uncirculated.
Below is a summary of the ANA grading guidelines. For more detailed information on the ANA grading scale and detailed guides for US coins, I highly recommend these books if you want more than a rough guideline on the grade of your coin.
| AG-3 (About Good) | Very heavily worn with portions of lettering date and legends worn smooth. The date may be barely readable. |
| G-4 (Good) | Heavily worn with the design visible but faint in areas. Many details are flat. Common coins in "Good" condition are not particularly desirable pieces for collectors. Rare or valuable coins in this condition, however, are often saved when no others are available. |
| VG-8 (Very Good) | Well worn with main features clear and bold although rather flat. |
| F-12 (Fine) | The coin shows moderate to considerable even wear throughout. Entire design is bold with an overall pleasing appearance. |
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | A moderate amount of wear is noticeable on the high points of the coin's design. All major details are clear. |
| VF-30 (Choice Very Fine) | Light even wear on the surface and highest parts of the design. All lettering and major features are sharp. |
| EF-40 (Extremely Fine) | Design is lightly worn throughout, but all features are sharp and well defined. Traces of luster may show. |
| EF-45 (Choice Extremely Fine) | Light overall wear shows on highest points. All design details are very sharp. Some of the Mint luster is evident. |
| AU-50 (About Uncirculated) | Has traces of light wear on many of the high points. At least half of the Mint luster is still present. |
| AU-55 (Choice About Uncirculated) | Barest evidence of light wear on only the highest points of the design. Most of the mint luster remains. |
| MS-60 (Uncirculated) | Has no trace of wear but may show a number of contact marks, and surface may be spotted or lack some luster. |
| MS-65 (Choice Uncirculated) | An above average Uncirculated coin which may be brilliant or lightly toned and has very few contact marks on the surface or rim. MS-67 through MS-62 indicate slightly higher or lower grades of preservation. |
| MS-70 (Perfect Uncirculated) | Perfect new condition, showing no trace of wear. The finest quality possible, with no evidence of scratches, handling or contact with other coins. Very few regular issue coins are ever found in this condition. |
