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Gold Sovereign Grading

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.

Uncirculated Sovereigns on eBay

 

1879 Victoria Sydney Shield Sovereign UNC
1879 Victoria Sydney Shield Sovereign UNC
$1,099.00
Time Remaining: 14h 3m
Buy It Now for only: $1,099.00
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1 RUBLIS Note LATVIA 1992 1st SOVEREIGN Issue UNC
1 RUBLIS Note LATVIA 1992 1st SOVEREIGN Issue UNC
$4.28
Time Remaining: 1d 21h 35m
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1870 Sydney Mint SovereignFull Original Lustre on reverseaU UNC
1870 Sydney Mint SovereignFull Original Lustre on reverseaU UNC
$2,091.96
Time Remaining: 2d 2h 28m
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1871 Victoria Shield Sovereign aUnc UNC
1871 Victoria Shield Sovereign aUnc UNC
$799.00
Time Remaining: 2d 13h 38m
Buy It Now for only: $799.00
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Gold Sovereign Strikings

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