Tips for Grading Indian Head Coins

Grading Indian head coins is incredibly subjective. You can more accurately grade your Indian head coins if you've been grading them for awhile and have an eye for what specifically to look for. But if you're a novice, you can come somewhat close to estimating the right grade if you follow some easy tips.

When you take a look at your Indian head coins, make sure you place the coins on a clean table under good light. Look at everything about the coins you're grading. Check out whether you can read the words on the coin, whether you can see details on the designs of the coin, and whether the edges of the coin are crisp or whether it's seen better days. Look at the coloring of the coin, too. Does the coin have its original coloring still, or has it lost its luster over the years from use?

Mint State (MS)
If your Indian head coin is in perfect condition and shows no signs of any wear whatsoever, you can consider your Indian head coin to be in MS condition. Keep in mind there are 11 different grades of mint state coins ranging from MS60 to MS70. MS60 means the coin has some contact marks but is otherwise mint and MS70 would mean the coin is in the finest-possible condition.

Proof (PR)
A proof Indian head coin is one that has a surface that resembles a mirror. When your coin is considered proof, it is referring to the way it was manufactured and isn't referring to its condition.

About Uncirculated (AU)
An Indian head coin that's considered About Uncirculated has only a trace of wear and maintains about half of its mint luster.

Fine and Very Fine (F and VF)
Fine condition Indian head coins are those that have fairly even wear, but the entire design on the coin is still visible. Very Fine condition refers to an Indian head coin that is Fine but only with moderate wear.

Good and Very Good (G and VG)
An Indian head coin that is in Good condition is one that's fairly heavily worn and has faintness in some areas. However, the Head of Liberty wreath and other major features are still visible in an outline without as much detail, in a Good condition coin. A coin in a Very Good condition is well worn with most of the fine details on the coin are worn almost completely smooth.