Gold Sovereign Grading

Sovereign gold coins, your guide to british sovereign coins, double sovereigns,half sovereigns, proof sets of sovereigns

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What do the abbreviated letters mean in relation to gold coin grading?

When looking at sovereigns and gold coins that are being sold you will often find the following letters when describing the condition of the coins.

F - Stands for FINE. This is generally a coin that has some general signs of wear, usually around the high relief areas, rim and beading.

VF - Stands for VERY FINE. Wear is showing on the high relief surfaces and generally speaking the coin has not had much use.

EF - Stands for EXTREMELY FINE. This coin may show a few marks if it inspected closely but at first look will appear as if it has never been used.

Unc - Stands for UNCIRCULATED. As it says on the tin, this coin has never been in circulation, the only marks it may show are contact marks which occur during the minting process when the coin comes into contact with other coins.

Proof gold coins are not struck on the same dies as regular coins and are struck using a different process. It is highly unlikely that your proof coin would ever have been circulated as not only are they usually packaged but they are normally struck for the collectors market only. However, if they are not in their packaging then you can get proofs in F, VF or EF.