NGC Details Grading Brochure

User Manual: NGC

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Understanding

“NGC Details Grading ”

A comprehensive guide to the coins certified
by NGC using non-numeric grades and
surface condition descriptions.

Understanding
“NGC Details Grading”
A comprehensive guide to the coins certified
by NGC using non-numeric grades and
surface condition descriptions.

INTRODUCTION
Of the many thousands of collectible coins in the
hands of dealers and numismatists, there will be
some that do not meet the rigid standards for
NGC’s numeric grading, which uses the Sheldon
Scale of one to 70. These are coins whose surface
conditions preclude NGC’s graders from arriving at a recognized
numeric grade. The problems may have occurred naturally,
such as planchet flaws and minor mint errors. More often than
not, however, they are the result of mishandling over the years,
which may have been deliberate or inadvertent.
When evaluating a coin, NGC does not have exact or complete
information about its history. NGC graders therefore rely on the
sum of their extensive experience examining coins and studying
their preservation history. In some cases, a coin has received
treatments that were once commonly performed in an attempt
to improve appearances but are no longer acceptable to today’s
collectors. In other cases, storage conditions have exposed a
coin to extreme conditions that altered its surface irreversibly.
These are just a couple of the countless scenarios that result in
surface conditions that preclude a coin from numeric grading
at NGC. The surface conditions themselves are noted with
descriptive terms, including Improperly Cleaned, Artificial Color,
Environmental Damage and Tooled. There are many others, and
these will each be addressed in the following pages.

If a coin does not qualify for numeric grading, its specific
surface condition must be disclosed when describing its grade.
Coins are not eligible for numeric grading at NGC when the
particular feature being described cannot be accounted for
by a point deduction or simple net grading. Any attempt to
do so would be too subjective, as not everyone can agree
on the relative significance of various surface conditions. For
these coins, we use NGC Details Grading. Each coin receives
a grade that relates the amount of wear present due to metal
loss during circulation, such as VG DETAILS or XF DETAILS.
Coins that have no wear but still display a problem surface
condition will be labeled as UNC DETAILS or, in the case of

Proof coins, simply PROOF. Following the Details Grade will be a description of
the noteworthy surface condition. In rare instances, there may be more than one
surface condition listed.
Coins submitted to NGC will be graded either numerically (if they have
acceptable surfaces) or with Details Grading, at the discretion of NGC’s grading
team. It is not necessary for the submitter to declare which service is desired,
as this will be determined automatically by NGC. The submission form does
permit submitters to opt out of Details Grading in favor of simply having the
coin returned unholdered. This opt-out feature is available on a submission-bysubmission basis by checking the appropriate box on the submission form, or
an account holder may arrange to make this opt-out feature automatic with
all submissions on his / her account. Please contact NGC Customer Service for
information on the latter option.
In the past, coins with problematic surface conditions were given Details
Grades and were encapsulated by NGC’s affiliated conservation company,
Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS). NCS no longer performs grading and
encapsulation, and all coins not eligible for numeric grading will now be graded
and encapsulated by NGC under its Details Grading service. Coins already
encapsulated by NCS may be resubmitted to NGC for Details Grading at just the
nominal ReHolder fee. Submitters will not have to pay a ReGrade fee for NCSholdered coins to be encapsulated under NGC’s Details Grading service.
In the pages that follow, examples
of the various surface conditions
requiring Details Grading are listed
and described in words and photos.
This tutorial is both educational and
entertaining, and it will help you
understand why your coin received
a Details Grade, or non-numeric
grade from NGC. There are just a few
situations in which a coin will not be
graded and encapsulated at all by
NGC, and these conditions are found
at the end of this booklet.

Details Grades
NGC Details Grade coins each receive a Details Grade that accords with
the amount of detail remaining on the coin. Coins lose detail as the
result of wear, which is metal loss that occurs during circulation. For
that reason, Details Grades are sometimes referred to as “wear grades.”

TERM

PAGE

TERM

PAGE

Added Mintmark . . . . . . . . 18

Mounted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Altered Date . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Mutilated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The value of a Details Grade coin is never determined by its
grade alone. The severity and location of the detrimental surface
condition is often just as important as the Details Grade when
determining value. A Details Grade can give a strong indication
of what a coin may look like and is a fundamental component of
the equation when determining both condition and value. The
following describes the Details Grades that are assigned by NGC.

Altered Surface . . . . . . . . . . 18

Not Genuine . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Artificial Color . . . . . . . . . . 10

Not Suitable

Artificial Toning . . . . . . . . . . 9

for Certification . . . . . . . . . 19

Bent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Planchet Flaw . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Bronze Disease . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Plugged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Brushed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Polished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

UNC DETAILS (Uncirculated)
A coin that shows no wear or evidence of circulation.

Burnished . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

PVC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Chopmarked . . . . . . . . . . . 14

PVC Damage . . . . . . . . . . . 17

AU DETAILS (About Uncirculated)
Traces of light wear are evident on the high points of the coin’s design.

Chopmark Repair . . . . . . . . 12

Questionable Authenticity,

Clipped Planchet . . . . . . . . 15

Authenticity Unverifiable . . 18

XF DETAILS (Extremely Fine)
Design features are well defined, although light wear is evident throughout.

Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Re-engraved . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

VF DETAILS (Very Fine)
Major details of the coin are clear although wear is evident; the high points
show moderate wear.

Countermarked . . . . . . . . . 14

Removed from Jewelry . . . . 12

Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Removed Mintmark . . . . . . 19

Dip Residue . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Residue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Environmental Damage . . . . 8

Rim Filing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Glue Residue . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Rim Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Graffiti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Scratches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Illegible Date . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Soldered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Illegible Mintmark . . . . . . . 18

Smoothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Spot Removals . . . . . . . . . . 10

AG DETAILS (About Good)
Design details are flat and appear in outline. Portions of the rim are lost to wear.

Improperly Cleaned . . . . . . 10

Stained . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Ineligible Type . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Surface Hairlines . . . . . . . . . 10

FA DETAILS (Fair)
Coin is identifiable, design is flat and visible in outline, and rim is essentially
indistinguishable from coin fields.

Insufficient Detail to ID . . . . 18

Tooled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Lacquered . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Wheel Marks . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Mount Removed . . . . . . . . 12

Whizzed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

F DETAILS (Fine)
Moderate wear on many elements with heavy wear on high points. The major
design elements remain visible.
VG DETAILS (Very Good)
Heavy wear flattens design elements, although major features are clearly outlined.
G DETAILS (Good)
Design details are flat and visible in outline. Some portions of the design may be faint.

Index of NGC Details Grading Nomenclature

PR DETAILS (Poor)
Heavily worn; only basal detail remains.

Wiped . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Environmental Effects

Surface Alterations

Conditions detrimental to coins are those involving unsuitable
storage containers, extremes of heat and humidity, as well as
atmospheric pollutants and saltwater. Sea-salvaged and treasure
coins are often victims of environmental contamination that leave
their surfaces in a state that makes them ineligible for numeric
grading. This is true also of coins stored in highly reactive paper or
plastic storage media.

A coin that has been treated in some way that changes its general
appearance cannot be graded numerically and is eligible for Details
Grading only. Most such surface alterations are performed through
the application of chemicals, fillers or heat.

BRONZE DISEASE is a term describing a form of corrosion unique to copper or
bronze coins that typically affects ancient coins.

ARTIFICIAL TONING refers to the process whereby patina is imparted to a coin in
an accelerated reaction process using chemicals and / or heat. Artificial toning may
be removable with proper conservation by NCS but, since it often hides improper
cleaning or other surface issues, the coin may yet require Details Grading.

CORROSION is a problem for most metals, though gold and platinum are
nearly immune to its effects. A natural chemical reaction, it causes the
surfaces of a coin to form new molecular compounds. When corrosion is
severe or unattractive, it results in coins certifiable only under Details Grading.
NGC’s graders may narrow down the problem area by using the terms OBV
CORROSION, REV CORROSION and EDGE CORROSION.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE is the result of a hostile storage environment,
where the exact cause of the surface damage is indeterminable.

Artificial toning can be extremely difficult to detect, and
even harder to explain once discovered. Perhaps the best
explanation is that it just does not appear natural.

STAINED coins display discoloration but not corrosion. More often than not
such staining is irremovable. When isolated to one side, it is described as OBV
STAINED or REV STAINED.

Corrosion, as shown on this Morgan dollar, will result
in a “Details Grade” designation.

Improper Cleaning
Among the most common reasons for a coin to receive Details
Grading is unskilled and improper cleaning. The temptation to
“improve” a coin’s appearance by chemically or mechanically
cleaning it seems acceptable, until the possible detrimental effects
are later explained to the collector. Light, non-destructive cleaning,
particularly when found on older coins, may still permit numeric
grading. Harsher cleaning that is destructive to a coin’s aesthetic
appeal, however, will result in Details Grading only, and such
cleaning is not correctable with conservation.

WHIZZED coins have been cleaned with a fast, rotary wire brush in order to
simulate the effect of mint luster on a circulated coin. These are easily spotted
by experts, as their lettering and other design details typically are distorted a bit
by this action.
WIPED describes a coin that displays surface hairlines in one or more isolated
areas. This is usually the result of accidental mishandling rather than intentional
cleaning, but it still requires Details Grading. NGC’s graders may specify OBV
WIPED or REV WIPED to more accurately describe the condition.

ARTIFICIAL COLOR refers to bronze, copper and copper-nickel coins that have
been chemically dipped or cleaned. Under natural conditions, most copper
coins will darken over time, but examples that retain their original “red” color
are highly valued. That’s why “Red Brown” (RB) or “Brown” (BN) copper coins
are sometimes treated to remove this toning. The resulting color usually has an
unnatural and artificial look.
BRUSHED describes a coin that has been wiped with an abrasive brush. The
affected areas may be narrowed down to OBV BRUSHED or REV BRUSHED.
BURNISHED is the term used when the cleaning is more aggressive and
gives the coin a very brilliant but unnatural sheen. Sometimes this action is
performed with some abrasive media such as ball bearings, or it may result
from treatment within a rock tumbler.

Improper spot removal can result in damage to a coin,
such as the scratch marks seen in the close-up, above,
of this 1799 dollar.

IMPROPERLY CLEANED is a generic term to describe unskilled cleaning when
the exact nature of the action is uncertain.
POLISHED is similar to Burnished, though it’s typically applied when the abrasive
action is less severe.
SPOT REMOVALS describes the unskilled, mechanical removal of “flyspecks,” small
black spots of intense toning or corrosion. It also refers to similar removal of reddish
“copper spots” often seen on gold coins.
SURFACE HAIRLINES are faint, abrasive lines that disturb a coin’s appearance,
even though some original surface may remain underneath. They typically result
from gentle rubbing with a cloth, and their severity may be described more fully
through addition of the terms LIGHT, MODERATE or EXCESSIVE.

Mechanical Repairs
A coin improperly restored through mechanical means is described
as having some form of repair. Many older coins, particularly
Bust type silver dollars and gold dollars, were worn as jewelry
generations ago. This often caused them to be holed for suspension
on a chain or soldered to mountings. Other coins simply became
damaged through the normal mishaps of general circulation.
Years later, having achieved numismatic value, these coins were
repaired through various means. Though this work is often skillfully
performed, most experts will spot the repair, and such coins cannot
be graded numerically.

SMOOTHING is akin to Tooled (see below), but it is used when the exact means
of achieving the described effect is unknown.
TOOLED refers to either the smoothing of a coin’s fields to remove scratches,
corrosion and other forms of damage or to the restoration of lost details through
use of a graver or knife. When a single side of the coin is affected, the terms OBV
TOOLED and REV TOOLED are used.

CHOPMARK REPAIR reveals that a chopmark (see MECHANICAL DAMAGE) has
been fully or partially effaced through tooling or filling.
MOUNT REMOVED indicates that the coin was formerly mounted to a ring
or bezel and that this attachment has left evidence of its one-time presence.
Most modern bezels are designed to secure a coin without doing any harm, but
some older ones resulted in a crimping effect.

This Bust type silver half dollar from 1810 has been plugged.

PLUGGED coins are ones that were previously holed, typically for suspension
as jewelry, and have had their holes filled in to conceal the damage. As
the affected area usually includes design features, these will show evidence
of re-engraving.
RE-ENGRAVED describes a coin that has had worn or damaged details replaced
through the use of engraving or chasing. This may be narrowed down by
stating OBV RE-ENGRAVED or REV RE-ENGRAVED. A related repair is
ETCHED STARS, these peripheral features being among the first to wear
down on older coins.
REMOVED FROM JEWELRY is more or less self-explanatory but is used when the
more specific damage descriptors are not enough to fully describe the effect.
RIM FILING is done to coins to remove irregular metal or to even out their rims. It
may be used to obscure normal circulation damage or signs of jewelry use. OBV
RIM FILED and REV RIM FILED are used to identify the specific area affected.
RIM REPAIR describes work performed to obscure either naturally occurring
or intentionally inflicted damage. A common cause of such damage was the
attachment of coins to pins or rings, as well as encasement of a coin within a
bezel or “lucky coin” frame.

Mechanical Damage

Mint-Made Irregularities

Contact between coins and various surfaces or objects, including
other coins, can push metal out of place and leave a permanent
disfigurement on the subject coin. This may happen routinely in the
normal course of circulation, or it may be the deliberate result of
abuse with an instrument of some kind. The following terms describe
the various forms of mechanical damage to which coins are subject:

Coins are sometimes flawed as made. NGC, as a general rule, will
not assign numeric grades to coins having minor flaws such as rim
clips or laminations. Major mint errors such as off-centered coins
and wrong planchets are graded under NGC’s regular tiers as “Mint
Error” coins.

BENT coins are simply that — they show a non-mint-made curvature when
viewed on end.
CHOPMARKED coins have had Asian characters punched into them as
assurances of their value by the merchants who handled them many years
ago. This was a common practice with silver coins, particularly trade dollars,
circulating in Southeast Asia.

PLANCHET FLAW describes a void or lamination (separation) in a coin’s planchet
as made. OBV PLANCHET FLAW and REV PLANCHET FLAW provide a guide
to the problem’s location.
CLIPPED PLANCHET refers to a portion missing from the edge of a coin’s
planchet. A large missing area is gradeable as a Mint Error, while very small clips
will result in Details Grading only.

COUNTERMARKED coins have had a figure or character punched into them
by some non-official agent, such as a merchant or jeweler. Lacking any official
sanction, these punchings are considered just damage.
DAMAGED is a catchall term used when the coin displays any form of
destructive contact that may not be defined more precisely. This may be
narrowed down a bit by specifying OBV DAMAGE, REV DAMAGE, RIM
DAMAGE or EDGE DAMAGE.
GRAFFITI describes a coin into which initials or some other writing has been
scratched or carved. This may be narrowed down to read OBV GRAFFITI or
REV GRAFFITI.

As a general rule, NGC will not certify coins with minor
flaws such as rim clips or, in this case, lamination.

IMPAIRED is used to describe Proof coins that have received light circulation or
mishandling, but whose Proof surfaces remain detectable, even if marred or worn.
MOUNTED refers to some sort of jewelry attachment still present with the coin.
MUTILATED coins display an extreme form of damage, whether intentional
or accidental.
SCRATCHES of a very minor nature may permit a coin to be certified, but use of
this term in Details Grading indicates that the damage is more severe.
SOLDERED describes a coin that has been used as an item of jewelry and still
displays evidence of this traditional bonding agent. Solder may or may not be
removable with NCS conservation.

WHEEL MARKS occur when a coin-counting machine has left a concentrated
series of hairlines or a highly polished spot. This may be narrowed down to
specify OBV WHEELMARK or REV WHEELMARK.

After they leave the mint, coins can be inadvertently
damaged in a number of ways. This is an example of
a scratched coin.

Coins Requiring Conservation
There are a handful of surface conditions that make coins ineligible
for NGC grading and encapsulation, but can be improved through
professional conservation. These include coins with heavy or destabilizing
surface residues. Such contaminants can mask defects and break down
over time, causing permanent and irreparable damage to the coins.
Fortunately, Numismatic Conservation Services (NCS) specializes
in their removal and the neutralization of a coin’s surface. Once
conserved by NCS, coins can be transferred to NGC for certification
and, depending on their surface conditions, may be either
numerically or Details Graded.

PVC DAMAGE indicates that a coin has been irreparably harmed by
environmental reaction to the chemical plasticizer in plastic coin holders.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a widely used thermoplastic that has many
applications. In the numismatic field it is found in the manufacture of “flips,”
the transparent, dual-pocket envelopes used by dealers, collectors and grading
services for displaying and handling coins. This plastic is safe enough for
short-term use, but long-term storage brings with it a serious hazard. To make
PVC flexible, it is impregnated with a chemical plasticizer that, over time,
separates from the PVC base and may form a green film on the surface of a
coin. If left untreated, the plasticizer combines with moisture in the air to create
hydrochloric acid that etches the coin’s surfaces. When caught in time, the PVC
contaminant may be removable through NCS conservation.

RESIDUE describes some surface contaminant that cannot be identified more
specifically by NGC’s graders. OBV RESIDUE and REV RESIDUE provide a
guide to the contaminant’s location when it appears on just one side. With
proper conservation, such residue may be removable before it results in
environmental damage.
DIP RESIDUE describes a coloration that results from a coin being chemically
cleaned (dipped) to remove toning and not properly rinsed off afterward. This
makes the coin have a cloudy or brown, unnatural look.
GLUE RESIDUE is self-explanatory, and may be treatable with proper
conservation. NGC’s graders may narrow this down to read OBV GLUE or REV
GLUE. Such coins should be submitted to NCS for removal of this material.
LACQUERED coins have had a coat of clear lacquer applied in an attempt
to prevent tarnishing, a common practice in past decades. The terms OBV
LACQUER and REV LACQUER provide greater specificity. Proper conservation
by NCS may be able to remove this contaminant.

This Peace dollar has a layer of PVC residue that is
easily observed. Note the “off” color of light green
haze on the coin’s surface.

PVC film on a coin’s surfaces will preclude encapsulation by NGC, as this
continues to be an active contaminant and may cause further damage. Such
coins should be sent to NCS for removal of PVC through proper conservation.

Coins NGC Will Not Grade at All
NGC lists the categories of coins, tokens and medals that it will
certify on its website. These include nearly all coins of the United
States, a wide range of world and ancient issues, and a few specific
categories of tokens and medals. Certain types and periods,
however, are excluded. To be certain that your coins, tokens and
medals are eligible for grading, first check the NGC Web site at
www.NGCcoin.com

REMOVED MINTMARK, like its counterpart Added Mintmark, is a fraudulent
attempt to misrepresent the value of the coin.

INELIGIBLE TYPE describes a class of coin, medal or token that NGC does not
certify, regardless of its condition.

Other coins NGC will not grade include those that are not fully
identifiable or have been altered in some manner so as to simulate
pieces of some other date and mint.

This struck counterfeit 1916-S $5 gold piece is identified as
not genuine by its “S” mintmark, seen above, which is the
wrong shape and in the wrong position.

ADDED MINTMARK indicates that the coin’s mintmark has been applied
fraudulently to enhance its value.
ALTERED DATE describes a coin which has had its date changed by any means
in an attempt to increase its value.
ALTERED SURFACE is a general term used to describe a coin whose surfaces
are clearly not natural but whose exact treatment is uncertain. Among the
deceptive processes that fall into this category is the application of pastes to
either hide contact marks or to simulate Cameo frosting or Prooflike brilliance.
ILLEGIBLE DATE is self-explanatory. If the exact date cannot be determined for
any reason, then the coin is not eligible for grading.

COINS NOT SUITABLE FOR CERTIFICATION
On occasion, NGC will return a coin as NOT SUITABLE FOR CERTIFICATION.
This is used for coins that are severely damaged or otherwise impaired. The
surface condition of these coins makes it impossible for NGC to render a
conclusive opinion about authenticity, Details Grade or both. When a coin is
determined to be NOT SUITABLE, NGC will refund the grading fee, less a
$5.00 processing charge.

ILLEGIBLE MINTMARK may be due to wear, damage or extreme die erosion
and will not be graded.
INSUFFICIENT DETAIL TO ID applies mostly to ancient coins, but this restriction is
in effect for all coins, medals and tokens that are of indeterminate identity.
NOT GENUINE means that the piece is either a souvenir replica or a counterfeit.
Circulating counterfeits are contemporary with the coins they imitate and are
intended to pass as money at their face value. Numismatic counterfeits are
intended to deceive collectors and typically are made years after the originals.

QUESTIONABLE AUTHENTICITY, AUTHENTICITY UNVERIFIABLE indicates
that there is reason to doubt the genuineness of a submitted coin, though it
may be impossible to ascertain definitively.

Questions about NGC Details Grading?

This informational resource is provided by NGC.
0513-5K

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