A mobile field guide for U.S. coins

Know what to look for.

Quickly identify the wear, remaining detail, luster, strike characteristics, and key diagnostics that separate one coin grade from another.

Written descriptions Mobile friendly Fast grade comparisons No account required

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Popular guides

Morgan Dollar Peace Dollar Wheat Cent

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Start with the coin series.

Select a U.S. coin type to view written grading diagnostics from heavily circulated grades through About Uncirculated and Mint State.

Available

Morgan Dollar

1878–1921

Hair above Liberty's ear
Cotton leaves and cap
Eagle breast and wing feathers

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Available

Peace Dollar

1921–1935

Hair above the ear
Cheek and neck
Eagle's wing and shoulder

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50¢

Available

Walking Liberty Half Dollar

1916–1947

Liberty's head and breast
Left arm and skirt lines
Eagle breast and leg feathers

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10¢

Available

Mercury Dime

1916–1945

Hair above the forehead
Wing feathers
Fasces bands and diagonal rods

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5¢

Available

Buffalo Nickel

1913–1938

Hair braid and cheekbone
Date and horn strength
Buffalo hip and shoulder

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1¢

Available

Lincoln Wheat Cent

1909–1958

Hair above Lincoln's ear
Cheek and jaw
Wheat lines and grain detail

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Example grade entry

Clear diagnostics, not vague labels.

Each grade explains where wear should appear, what detail should remain, and how the grade differs from the levels immediately above and below it.

Very Fine

VF-20

Moderate, even wear with all major design elements clear and substantial detail remaining.

Obverse

Wear is visible on the hair above Liberty's ear, the cotton leaves, the cotton bolls, and the highest areas of the cap.

Reverse

Wear is concentrated on the eagle's breast, head, and upper wing feathers. Major feather separation remains visible.

Remaining detail

Major hair strands remain separated. Cotton leaves are recognizable, and most major wing structure remains defined.

Luster

Original mint luster is normally absent, although isolated traces may remain in protected areas around lettering.

Check first

Examine the hair directly above Liberty's ear, followed by the eagle's breast and the upper portions of both wings.

Strike warning

A weakly struck eagle breast can resemble circulation wear. Compare surface texture and surrounding luster before lowering the grade.

Quick grade comparison

F-12

More flattening is visible in the hair and eagle feathers, with less internal detail.

VF-20

Major details remain clear, but fine high-point detail shows moderate wear.

EF-40

Considerably more fine hair and feather detail remains, with lighter overall wear.

Built for real-world use

A grading reference that works at the table.

Designed for coin shows, shops, collection reviews, estate appointments, flea markets, and everyday grading practice.

01 · Fast

Find the series quickly

Search by coin type or browse by denomination without navigating through a complicated database.

02 · Practical

Focus on key wear points

Each entry tells you exactly where to inspect first on the obverse and reverse.

03 · Comparative

Separate nearby grades

Compare the selected grade with the grade above and below to make borderline decisions easier.

04 · Independent

Original written guidance

Grading descriptions are written as practical educational summaries rather than copied from another reference.

Grading is an informed opinion, not an exact measurement.

This website is an educational reference intended to help users study U.S. coin grading characteristics. Actual grades may vary based on strike, surface preservation, eye appeal, cleaning, damage, environmental exposure, and the standards used by individual collectors, dealers, and grading services. This guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by PCGS, NGC, CAC, ANACS, ICG, or the American Numismatic Association.