NumisMaverick Field Tools

Know what to look for.

A fast, text-first U.S. coin grading guide built for collectors and dealers. Compare key wear points, remaining detail, luster, strike, and nearby grades without carrying a grading book to every coin show, shop, or collection review.

Written Diagnostics Mobile Friendly Fast Grade Comparisons No Account Required

Step 1 Select the coin series

Step 2 Choose the likely grade

Step 3 Check the key diagnostics

Step 4 Compare nearby grades

Browse U.S. coin series

Start with the coin in your hand.

Each guide organizes grading information by coin type and grade. Use the written diagnostics to identify the areas that matter most before comparing your opinion with market references or a third-party grading service.

Available

Morgan Dollar

1878–1921

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

Open grading guide →

Available

Peace Dollar

1921–1935

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

Open grading guide →

50¢

Available

Walking Liberty Half Dollar

1916–1947

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

Open grading guide →

10¢

Available

Mercury Dime

1916–1945

Hair above the forehead
Wing feathers
Fasces bands and diagonal rods

Open grading guide →

5¢

Available

Buffalo Nickel

1913–1938

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

Open grading guide →

1¢

Available

Lincoln Wheat Cent

1909–1958

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

Open grading guide →

Example grading entry

Clear diagnostics instead of vague labels.

Each grade explains where wear should appear, what detail should remain, how luster should behave, and what separates the selected grade from the grade 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 and devices.

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 in the hair and eagle feathers, with less internal detail.

VF-20

Major details remain clear, but the high points show moderate wear.

EF-40

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

Built for the NumisMaverick workflow

A field reference for acquiring, grading, researching, and listing coins.

The guide is designed to support practical dealer work. It gives you a repeatable checklist before you price a raw coin, compare sold listings, consult Greysheet, or decide whether professional grading makes sense.

01 · Fast

Find the series quickly

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

02 · Practical

Inspect the right areas

Each entry identifies the obverse and reverse high points that matter most.

03 · Comparative

Separate nearby grades

Compare the selected grade with the grade above and below for borderline decisions.

04 · Expandable

Build one series at a time

The text-first format can expand gradually without requiring a large photo library.

One tool inside the larger NumisMaverick system.

Use the grading guide alongside NumisMaverick melt calculators, market research, collector guides, and dealer resources.

Visit NumisMaverick Home

Coin grading is an informed opinion, not an exact measurement.

This NumisMaverick guide is an independent educational reference. Actual grades may vary based on strike, surface preservation, eye appeal, cleaning, damage, environmental exposure, and the standards used by collectors, dealers, auction companies, and grading services. NumisMaverick is not affiliated with or endorsed by PCGS, NGC, CAC, ANACS, ICG, or the American Numismatic Association. Written content should be original and should not reproduce copyrighted grading text or third-party photographs without permission.