Sheldon Scale

The Sheldon Scale, also known as the Sheldon Grading System or Sheldon Coin Grading System, is a widely used method of grading the condition of coins. It was developed by Dr William H. Sheldon and is based on a scale of 1 to 70, with 70 representing the best possible condition of a coin. The Sheldon system takes into account various aspects of the state of preservation, such as wear, scratches, signs of wear and lustre. Each grade on the scale is defined by specific descriptions and characteristics that characterise the condition of the coin. The grading is carried out by experienced experts or numismatists who assess the coins according to defined criteria.
The Sheldon Scale comprises various grades of preservation, including Poor (1-2), Fair (4-12), Fine (12-20), Very Fine (20-35), Extremely Fine (40-45), About Uncirculated (50-58), Uncirculated (60-70) and further subdivisions within these ranges.
The Sheldon scale is internationally recognised and is used by collectors, dealers and auction houses to grade coins. It enables a standardised and objective assessment of the state of preservation and serves as a basis for pricing and trading coins.