Grading Liberty Nickels
This article was written by a club contributor and may or may not represent the overall opinion of the club as a whole. The information is intended to be a guide for grading Liberty nickels and is not intended to replace or contradict the opinion of a professional grader, but rather to offer another visual guide to the contributor's interpetation of current grading standards. IMPORTANT: Most dates within the Liberty nickel series are generally easy to grade by simply comparing to the images provided. While generally struck with a fair degree of consistency, note that the two branch mint dates, especially 1912-S, have their own strike characteristics that make them a little more difficult to grade. Furthermore, dies tended to crack while striking this hard metal, resulting in some extended runs of deficient strikes. Distracting planchet streaks at any level can lower grade by as much as a full point. Finally, collectors frequently reference the left ear of corn on the reverse as a trouble spot for accurate detail, but unless the overall strike is unusually poor, this is rarely a singular factor that affects a coin's grade, even for proof or high-grade coins.
Poor : PO-1
- date must be explicitly identifiable, and portrait likely fully outlined
- reverse essentially blank but for any 1912-dated coin, mintmark MUST be identifiable
- impossible to discern a proof vs. circulation strike
Fair : FA-2
- date must be explicitly identifiable, and portrait is fully outlined
- "V" visible on the reverse; for any 1912-dated coin, mintmark MUST be identifiable
- impossible to discern a proof vs. circulation strike
About Good : AG-3
- obverse rim may occasionanly blend into stars, strong date and earhole visible
- peripheral letters mostly legible but sometimes blend with rim
- typically impossible to discern a proof vs. circulation strike
- note reverse upper die crack for this example that weakens "STATES"
Good : G-4
- obverse rim complete, while reverse rim may barely touch peripheral lettering
- coronet shows no letters but some partial detailing
- E PLURIBUS UNUM nearly worn completely off
Choice Good : G-6
- bold obverse rim "RT" typically shows on the coronet, weak reverse rim
- E PLURIBUS UNUM partially visible
Very Good : VG-8
- equivalent of three letters visible on coronet, typically some portion of "L..BER"
- both rims entirely bold and all reverse design elements legible
Choice Very Good : VG-10
- LIBERTY nearly legible but typically missing "I" and incomplete "Y"
- both rims entirely bold and all reverse design elements plainly legible
Fine : F-12
- LIBERTY should be complete although loosened standards often permiot "I" to be missing
- many curls in hair are significantly delineated
- right ear of corn significantly detailed
Choice Fine : F-15
- LIBERTY must be complete including "I"
- beware of nefarious restoration of "I" for key dates
- right ear of corn might show each individual kernel
- dentilation nearly complete on both sides
Very Fine : VF-20
- image intentionally shows a certified, properly graded example with a poor strike at lower reverse
- dentilation should be complete on both sides, even for a poorer strike like this example
Very Fine : VF-25
- a few stars show internal segment detailing
- dentilation becoming sharp
Choice Very Fine : VF-30
- delineation of waves in hair pleasantly close to being complete and uninterrupted
- leaves and cotton bolls on reverse feature some internal detailing
Gem Very Fine : VF-35
- barely discernible from VF-30 but waves of hair are typically boldly separated except at forehead
- leaves above ears of corn feature most internal details
Extremely Fine : EF-40
- hints of luster possible, especially outside stars, which mostly show internal detailing
- light wear barely denies completeness of waves of hair at forehead
- right corn kernels typically complete and individually identifiable
Choice Extremely Fine : EF-45
- most display trace luster in protected areas, especially within reverse peripheral lettering
- pinpoint sharpness for smallest, intricate details although wear still shows in hair at forehead
About Uncirculated : AU-50
- significant luster within obverse fields and reverse shows most of the cartwheel effect
- very little detail lost to circulation
About Uncirculated : AU-53
- some mint luster should definitely be present at this grade level
- light wear only on upper cheek, lower jaw and lapel
- very little actual wear shows mainly as light friction in broad field areas
Choice About Uncirculated : AU-55
- significant luster will show, even for example shown which has a modestly weak strike
- scant rub looks more like variations of lightened surface hue and texture over slightly darker, unworn overall surface
- continue to inspect hair waves above forehead for slight friction
Gem About Uncirculated : AU-58
- substantial cartwheel effect with slight weakness of luster in wide-open field areas
- whisper of rub on waves of hair above forehead, hair bun and cheekbone just beneath eye
- no real wear visible on reverse but areas of friction often show as "off color"
- mint-state sharpness otherwise
Mint State : MS-60
- both sides must display complete flowline luster through the fields with no breaks
- surface may be spotty (for this exmaple), off color or show excessive bagmarks
- incidental hairlines (not from cleaning) may distract
Select Mint State : MS-61
- meager luster, discoloration or delicate spots are common at this grade
- excessive bagmarks often land beneath eye, and around "V" on reverse
Very Select Mint State : MS-62
- either poor luster, or excessive bagmarks, or a singular distrcting mark, but not all these detractions at once
- a distracting planchet streak (on the reverse of this example) limits grade potential
- faint hairlines will sometimes be present
- despite foregoing comments, an MS-62 is often a reasonably attractive coin
Choice Mint State : MS-63
- strong, attractive luster required, even if some light toning shows
- example depicts a weaker strike at the left ear of corn, but this does not reduce overall grade
- appearance must be somewhat vibrant although carbon freckles or a small spot or two may be apparent
