Basics of Numismatics

Introduction

Numismatics are often associated with being coins that are both rare and ancient. The value of numismatics goes beyond its currency because of their significance and unique historical values.

This article focuses on the extended knowledge of numismatics.

 

Coin Grading

The Sheldon Scale was introduced by Dr. William Sheldon, a renowned numismatist in 1948. The Sheldon Scale is now internationally recognized and used widely in the coins and numismatics industry. It is a point system scale, ranking coins from a scale of 1 to 70. The higher the grade, the better the condition of the coin is. To account for a wider range of coins, the Sheldon Scale had been modified. Below are the grades and explanations:

MS/PR-70 (Mint State/Proof): A coin with no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification.
MS/PR-69: A fully struck coin with nearly imperceptible imperfections.
MS/PR-68: Very sharply struck with only minuscule imperfections.
MS/PR-67: Sharply struck with only a few imperfections.
MS/PR-66: Very well struck with minimal marks and hairlines.
MS/PR-65: Well struck with moderate marks or hairlines.
MS/PR-64: Average or better strike with several obvious marks, hairlines and other minuscule imperfections.
MS/PR-63: Slightly weak or average strike with moderate abrasions and hairlines of varying sizes.
MS/PR-62: Slightly weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More or larger abrasions than an MS/PF-63.
MS/PR-61: Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More marks and/or multiple large abrasions.
MS/PR-60: Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. Numerous abrasions, hairlines and/or large marks.
AU-58 (About Uncirculated): Slight wear on the highest points of the design. Full details.
AU-55: Slight wear on less than 50% of the design. Full details.
AU-53: Slight wear on more than 50% of the design. Full details, except for very minor softness on the high points.
AU-50: Slight wear on more than 50% of the design. Full details, except for minor softness on the high points.
XF-45 (Extremely Fine): Complete details with minor wear on some of the high points.
XF-40: Complete details with minor wear on most of the high points.
VF-35 (Very Fine): Complete details with wear on all the high points.
VF-30: Nearly complete details with moderate softness on the design areas.
VF-25: Nearly complete details with more softness on the design areas.
VF-20:Moderate design detail with sharp letters and digits.
F-15 (Fine): Recessed areas show slight softness. Letters and digits are sharp.
F-12: Recessed areas show more softness. Letters and digits are sharp.
VG-10 (Very Good): Wear throughout the design. Letters and digits show softness.
VG-8: Wear throughout the design. Letters and digits show more softness.
G-6 (Good): Peripheral letters and digits are full. Rims are sharp.
G-4: Peripheral letters and digits are nearly full. Rims exhibit wear.
AG-3 (About Good): Most letters and digits are readable. Rims are worn into the fields.
FR-2 (Fair): Some details are visible. Rims are barely visible.
PO-1 (Poor): Enough detail to identify the coin’s date and type. Rims are flat or nearly flat.
Ungradable: Date and mintmark of the coin are undetectable, which is necessary for grading.

 

Coin Grading Organization

If you are looking to get your coins professionally graded, you may want to consider visiting reputable and well known coin grading companies like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) to get the coins graded. Graded coins will be certified as authentic, protected and held with a holder, and can be sold for a higher value to coin collectors or dealers who are willing to pay higher premiums for a relatively rare coin.

 

Numismatics vs Bullion

Bullion are generally purchased as a form of investment or to hedge against inflation. Bullion are valued based on their purity, weight, and spot metal price. Below are some examples of investment grade bullion coins for your consideration if you are looking to purchase as a form of investment:

• Canadian Maple Leaf
• American Eagle
• Austrian Philharmonic
• Royal Mint’s Britannia
• Perth Mint’s Lunar Series

 

However, numismatics on the other hand, are extremely rare and collectible as they are historically significant pieces. Therefore, they are valued based on their rarity, condition, mintage or year. Some famous numismatics coins are:

• Pre-1933 American Eagle
• Morgan Silver Dollars
• Peace Silver Dollars

 

It is crucial to know your objective when you put into consideration of whether to purchase bullion or numismatics. This is because a bullion coin may be a better choice if you are looking for an asset to invest due to lower premiums.

 

I hope you have a better understanding of numismatics now! Do connect with us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at +65 8893 9255 if there is any specific numismatics coin that you are looking for, or if you have a coin and wondering if it could fetch a numismatics value. Meanwhile, if you are interested, we have a range of numismatics certified by PCGS and NGC here!

 

 

 

Evonne