Blanchard & Company, Inc.

PCGS Grading Standards

GradeDescription
PO-1Identifiable date and type
FR-2Mostly worn, though some detail is visible
AG-3Worn rims but most lettering is readable though worn
G-4Slightly worn rims, flat detail, peripheral lettering nearly full
G-6Rims complete with flat detail, peripheral lettering full
VG-8Design worn with slight detail
VG-10Design worn with slight detail, slightly clearer
F-12Some deeply recessed areas with detail, all lettering sharp
F-15Slightly more detail in the recessed areas, all lettering sharp
VF-20Some definition of detail, all lettering full and sharp
VF-25Slightly more definition in the detail and lettering
VF-30Almost complete detail with flat areas
VF-35Detail is complete but worn with high points flat
EF-40Detail is complete with most high points slightly flat
EF-45Detail is complete with some high points flat
AU-50Full detail with friction over most of the surface, slight flatness on high points
AU-53Full detail with friction over 1/2 or more of surface, very slight flatness on high points
AU-55Full detail with friction on less than 1/2 surface, mainly on high points
AU-58Full detail with only slight friction on the high points
MS/PR-60No wear. May have many heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-61No wear. Multiple heavy marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-62No wear. Slightly less marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-63Moderate number/size marks/hairlines, strike may not be full
MS/PR-64Few marks/hairlines or a couple of severe ones, strike should be average or above
MS/PR-65Minor marks/hairlines though none in focal areas, above average strike
MS/PR-66Few minor marks/hairlines not in focal areas, good strike
MS/PR-67Virtually as struck with minor imperfections, very well struck
MS/PR-68Virtually as struck with slight imperfections, slightest weakness of strike allowed
MS/PR-69Virtually as struck with minuscule imperfections, near full strike necessary
MS/PR-70As struck, with full strike
GVGovernment issue price

No GradeDescription
90Not Genuine
91Artificial Color
92Cleaning
93Planchet Flaw
94Altered Surfaces
95Scratch / Rim Dent
96Refund - No Service
97Environmental Damage
98Damage
99PVC

In addition to the 1-70 scale presented above, the suffixes described below are added to some grades in certain series to expand on the numerical grade.

DesignationDescription
Color: RDRed
Color: RBRed-Brown
Color: BNBrown
Strike: FSFull Steps
Strike: FBFull Bands
Strike: FHFull Head
Strike: FBLFull Bell Lines
Surface: DMDeep Mirror Prooflike
Surface: PLProoflike
Surface: DCDeep Cameo
Strike: CACameo
Strike: BMBranch Mint Proof
Strike: BMCABranch Mint Cameo

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Stack's Rare Coins Blanchard & Company, Inc. Teletrade