Circulated Coins

Circulated coins have been used in daily commerce, and will exhibit varying amounts of wear from handling. Average Circulated coins have a nice appearance, and though they do not meet our standards for Good or better, many of our customers find them appealing. Graded coins fall on a numerical scale from Good 4 up to Borderline Uncirculated 58. Pictured below are Morgan silver dollars in three of the circulated grades.

Very Good

All letters and date are clear. Most details in Liberty’s hair are worn smooth. One half of eagle’s right wing and one third of left wing are worn smooth.

Very Fine 20

Two thirds of hair lines from top of forehead to ear are visible. Ear well defined. Feathers on eagle’s breast are worn and only a few feathers show on eagle’s head.

About Uncirculated 50

Traces of wear on Liberty’s hair and the upper fold of the cap. Traces of wear on the eagle’s breast, legs, wing tips and talons. There may be abundant mint luster.

Uncirculated Coins

Uncirculated coins show no wear from handling, but have varying degrees of marks, abrasions or blemishes from contact with other coins in mint bags, contact with holders, or atmospheric conditions during storage. They are graded on a numerical scale from MS-60 (Mint State 60) up to Perfect MS-70. Pictured below are Morgan silver dollars in two of the Uncirculated grades.

Uncirculated MS-60

Show no trace of wear from handling but will have some marks and abrasions from contact with other coins in storage. Have full mint luster but may lack brilliance.

Uncirculated MS-65

Exhibit full original mint luster and strong eye appeal with only a few minor bag marks or surface mars that are not distracting. May be unevenly toned.

Proof Coins

Proof coins are made by a special process using carefully selected coin blanks and dies, which are meticulously polished and burnished to remove any and all imperfections. The coin blanks are hand-fed into a specially adapted coin press, and are struck twice – at slow speed and with extra pressure – to produce high-relief features contrasted against deep mirrorlike surfaces. The dies are polished frequently, and are replaced after only a limited number of strikes. The finished Proof coins are inspected to rigid standards, handled only with gloves or tongs, and specially packaged for delivery to collectors.

Littleton's Complete U.S. Coin Grading Standards

• Detailed listing and description of grades
• Grading factors and terminology defined
• Littleton's standards for grading U.S. coins
• Learn more about Littleton Select Quality