F (fine)

How to read it

The grading services describe fine in noticeably different terms. The ANA's standards call F 12 moderate to considerable even wear with the entire design bold, and F 15 moderate even wear with the entire design bold and clear. PCGS is blunter: in these grades most of a coin's detail is worn away, and some remains in the recessed areas, not sharp. NGC's F 15 has slight softness in the recessed areas and F 12 more, with letters and digits sharp in both. The ANA says the lettering and digits should all be clear and crisp from F 12 up. The next grade up is VF 20; below F 12 is VG 10, where NGC has letters and digits showing softness.

Also searched as: F 12, F 15, fine grade.

LIBERTY as a yardstick

On US coins with LIBERTY on a headband or shield, the word tracks the grades around fine. At F 12, the ANA says, all lettering including LIBERTY is visible, though perhaps only parts of the letters; at VG 10 some of the letters are readable, and at VG 8 LIBERTY is mostly worn away. PCGS puts most of the letters of LIBERTY visible at F 15, and a couple of them at VG 8.