Coins come in all conditions.
Unless you know how to grade the coins in your collection, you will be unable to buy, sell or trade them.
So important is grading in coin collecting that one grade difference in a coin could mean a large price difference.

Starting from the best to the worst, here are the grades we have adopted at Coin Trader.

• Proof: A proof coin has a very high luster and is made by the Mint especially for the collector; it is not for circulation. Most of these coins are minted for Proof Sets.
• Brilliant Uncirculated: A brilliant uncirculated coin is one that has never been in circulation and still has its luster. These coins are found in all of your mint sets..
• Uncirculated: An uncirculated coin may have lost most or all of its luster. However, it will show no wear whatsoever. It may have scratches from rubbing against other coins in the bag in which all coins are shipped from the Mint.
• Extremely Fine: An extremely fine coin will show only the slightest amount of wear on the high points. All fine detail such as hair will be as clear as on an uncirculated coin.
• Very Fine: A very fine coin begins to show some signs of wear, possibly on the lettering or on the fine details. Otherwise, it is a most desirable coin.
• Fine: A fine coin begins to show definite signs of wear. For example cheekbone detail will be worn flat.
• Very Good: A very good coin is a rather worn coin. The head will be worn almost smooth. This is about where most collections start.. Such coins may still be very desirable to new collectors.
• Good: A good coin is really a very worn coin you can tell it has been in circulation all of it's life! The date and lettering show much wear, although both will be readable.
• Fair: A coin in fair condition is usable as a space filler only. You may have to hold it close to the light to read the date, and only outlines will be noticeable..
• Poor: A poor coin will be identifiable. Mutilated coins should be graded poor, regardless of the condition of the rest of the coin. However, many a collectors have in his or her collection a rare coin with a hole drilled through it, because that is all he/she can afford or can find. They can always upgrade later when the coin becomes available to them.