The above are roughly equivalent but interpretation of grading standards may vary from country to country.

In general the grades describe coins in the following way:

POOR:So worn as to be almost unrecognisable

GOOD:"G" All legends and design worn but legible, with at least half of every letter in legends showing unless specifically described otherwise.

VERY GOOD:"VG" All legends and design complete but much detail worn from design, for example a lot of hair will be worn from a portrait, or the band of a crown will be incomplete.

FINE:"F" The detail of the highest point of the coin will be complete but worn, in general half of the detail of the design e.g. hair will be present and the coin presents a generally pleasing appearance.

VERY FINE:"VF" Most detail will be complete but there will be overall light wear and the general appearance will be of a coin that has seen moderate use.

EXTREMELY FINE: "XF" There will be only very slight wear on the very highest points of the coin,all legends will be sharp at the edges of the letters; to the naked eye the coin will appear uncirculated or very near, and may have some lustre as described.

UNCIRCULATED:"UNC" Means what it says. there will be no wear on any point of the coin, the rim of the coin will be sharp and free of edge knocks, unless specifically described, and the "frosting" from the striking process will be complete. The coin may have bag marks from contact with other coins at the mint, these will be described if visible to the naked eye.

BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED:"BU" Uncirculated as above with full original mint lustre.