Here are a few views of Indian cents that you can use as a guide. Look at what you have
and then tell me which views have items contained in which pictures.
Denticles - These are the ribs on the rim of the coin. You will notice that as the
grade gets better, the denticles are present. On a coin that is really worn, they wont be seen
at all. See image 1 and 2 below.
Verdigris - An attack on the copper by some foreign substance. This usually looks like green crusty patches on the surface
of the coin. This
coin has plenty of it in this view.
The first picture is of a "almost" good (AG) condition coin. The coin really has wear on it and for
coins that are expensive, some people will get them to fill holes in their album.
The date should be readable and most of the lettering, but the rim denticles will be well worn. Notice that
the color of the coin is considered normal(carmel). If it has "problems" as shown below, it will derate the
coin's overall rating.
-image 1-
This next picture is of a "good" (G) rated cent. Notice that
the face on the coin isnt as flat as the almost good cent. This coin has a smooth even
color to it.The color really shouldnt be any lighter (towards pink) than this.
-image 2-
This next one is sort of an inbetween grade, of GOOD to Very Good. Notice how the headband over the eyebrow is
just starting to be visible. Notice how the denticles are worn smooth at the top rim of the coin,
where they are visible on the lower half of the rim of the coin. Usually the word LIBERTY isnt seen
at all on a very good cent.
-image 3-
This next view is of a "Very good" to "Fine" condition coin.
Notice how the word "LIBERTY"is just starting to show on the headress on Lady Liberty. Usuall
very good has at least three letters of Liberty visible. There is a bit of dirt/grime around the
devices (image and lettering) which is normal for these older cents.
-image 4-
This next coin is considered "fine" (the example is a bit weak), Normally
all the letters in Liberty are visible. The ribbon that goes from the headress to the base of the
bust (just above the 0 in the date) usually doesnt have any visible diamonds. Notice the small ding under the
eye. These are things that should be mentioned.
-image 5-
This next view is of a Very Fine (VF) coin. The letters in
liberty should be full as well as the pearl necklace should be present. You may start to see
a diamond in the ribbon from the hair to the bottom of the bust.
-image 6-
This is an extremely fine (XF) coin. All the items should be well
pronounced and you probably will see 3 of the four diamonds in the ribbon. There should be very few nics in
the background fields. This example is a bit stained.
-image 7-
This is a mint state 63 (MS63) cent in Brown.
I wish all indian cents looked at least like this. (sigh)
There may be hints of red luster on the cent. All the devices on the face
of the cent should be present and sharp.
-image 8-
Here are some cents with various problems or conditions.
Porous surface - cleaned. Notice the tint of the cent is off?
-image 9-
This coin is really stained. Notice the extreme color changes? not too
pretty thats for sure.
-image 10-
Spots - this coin has mild spotting as seen next to the chin and eye.
Sometimes these spots can be the result of verdigres or other foreign agents comming into contact
with the surface of the coin leaving a stain. Sometimes these spots are actually micro holes with
stained surfaces.
-image 11-
Dark color - pink showing.This reminds me of a cent that was dark
and then after some more wear, the pink color of copper comes back though. This could also be the result of very light
cleaning of the coin's high points too.
-image 12-
This is an dark colored (VF-XF) example of verdigris and rim nicks to look out for. Both of these
items should be mentioned if they exist
-image 13-
This cent shows streaking, probably from a botched cleaning job. Sometimes a coin blank
(planchet) will have an impure mix of metal causing what looks like woodgrain effect. I havent found a picture of this wood
grain look yet to display, but it does look like the coin has wood grains in it.
-image 14-
A nice XF coin but... It appears the coin has had a rough life. The color looks a bit off too.
-image 15-
What about holes? Yuk.
-image 16-
How about them divots and or pits?
-image 17-
Dark - where is my flashlight? This isn't a dark picture. This coin is really a dark chocolate color. Notice the
rubbing on the date, with almost a pink color comming though? It should be dark on the reverse side of the coin too.
-image 18-
Cleaned - Can you tell? This looks like a coin thats been put into silver cleaner. Notice
how pink this coin looks? I wish they hadn't of done this.
-image 19-
Cleaned - yep, nice and pink
-image 20-
Carmel colored cent. This is a nice pleasing carmel color for this cent, although it has a couple really light stains. Most
collectors accept these stains, unless they are making a really high end set.
-image 21-
Even Brown colored. It reminds me of image 21 above, but without the staining on the background.
The slight rub on the cheek is common with its grade. Also notice how the cent isnt quite centered? (compare the 9 o'clock position
versus the 3 o'clock position on the rim of the coin)
-image 22-
Stains. More or less they are around the lettering. If stains are present, mention where they are.
-image 23-
Corroded cent. This usually happens when the cent is in soil or liquid
for a while.
-image 24-
Verdigris attacking the reverse side of the coin.
-image 25-
This cent almost appears to have a dark red painted stain all over the cent and then the high points of the
cent have worn through the red staining.
-image 26-
