Canadian Coin Grading
Edward VII
This page describes the criteria used to assign grades to Canadian circulation coins which use the portrait of King Edward VII. It also shows sample images of each grade.
All photos used here were taken of coins that have been professionally graded by companies like PCGS.
NOTE: Click on any photo to load a much larger version of both the obverse and reverse sides of the graded coin
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P-1 (Poor 1)- Refers to a coin which is so worn that most or all of the lettering around the portrait merge into the rims, and the rims are worn flat. - You might not even see the entire outline of the portrait. - You may not be able to determine the date, but should be able to determine the denomination by the outline of the portrait, the diameter, approximate weight and type of metal of the coin. At this grade the weight may not be a match to the specifications because so much of the metal has worn away. - This grade of coin has no collectible value. |
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AG-3 (About Good 3)- Refers to a coin which is so worn that parts of the lettering around the portrait merge into the rims, and the rims may be worn flat in places. - You might not even see the entire outline of the portrait, although on the example shown you see quite a bit. - You must be able to determine the date even if only faintly by the last two digits. - The most important part of this grade is the merging of the lettering around the portrait into the rims. - Each date may wear slightly differently. - Only very rare dates have any value to collectors in this grade, an even then at a fraction of what even a G-4 would bring |
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G-4 (Good 4)- Only the silhouette of Edward remains. All portrait detail is worn away. - Some letters around the rim may have begun to merge with the field (even if by only one letter). |
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VG-8 (Very Good 8)- More than 75% of the crown bands and jewels are worn away - The hairline, beard and moustache all blend together - The ermine collar of the coronation robes has lost all detail. |
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F-12 (Fine 12)- Detail on all the highest points have lost considerable detail. - The central crown bands, jewels and pearls on the crown are worn away. - All high points show considerable wear. |
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VF-20 (Very Fine 20)- The central crown bands, jewels and pearls on the crown are 50% worn. - The ear, beard in front of the ear, moustache and ribbon bow all show wear and loss of detail. |
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EF-40 or XF-40 (Extra Fine 40)- The central crown bands, jewels and pearls on the crown have lost their round contours. - The eyebrow, tip of the moustache and ribbon show signs of wear. - No mint lustre is present. |
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AU-50 (About Uncirculated 50)- Some traces of wear appear on all high points. - 60 to 70% of the lustre is present. - Mint lustre has been disturbed in the fields around the design. |
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MS-60 (Mint State 60)- No traces of wear anywhere. - Contact or handling marks (bag marks) may be present on all parts of the design. - Lustre may be disturbed, but is present to a high degree. - In some coins the strike may be weak. |
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MS-63 (Mint State 63)- No trace of wear anywhere. - May have minor hairline scratches, contact marks and blemishes. - Original mint lustre is present. |
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MS-66 (Mint State 66)- No trace of wear anywhere. A nearly perfect coin. - May have minor hairlines or handling contact marks in secondary areas ONLY. - Full original mint lustre must be present. |