Here are some examples of typical descriptions under the adjectival system:

1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cent, Extremely Fine.

1874-S Liberty Seated quarter, Choice Uncirculated with iridescent toning around the rims.

1916-D Mercury dime, AU.

1971 Proof Jefferson nickel without mintmark. Gem Proof.

1817 large cent, Newcomb-16, F-VF.

1854-O $20 Very Fine with some nicks on the obverse.

1793 Chain AMERI. large cent, Sheldon-1, AU, lightly cleaned years ago and now retoned a brown color.

1912-S Liberty nickel, Gem Uncirculated with light iridescent toning.

Numerical Grading Systems

Although numerical systems for grading have been proposed several times over the years (an early plan, outlined in the pages of The Numismatist in the 1890s, suggested Roman numerals, such as I, II, III, IV, etc.), the system in use today is based upon that created by Dr. William H. Sheldon in 1949 for use in his book Early American Cents. The Sheldon scale is a combination of numbers and letters and was originally intended to be part of a formula for determining market prices.

Important steps in the Sheldon numerical system, as it is used today, are these:

Poor-1

Fair-2

About Good-3 (abbreviated as AG-3)