Grading is not an exact science where a procedure can be applied, and everyone comes out with the same grade. Over the years, numismatists, coin dealers, and coin grading services have agreed upon certain definitions, descriptions, and Sheldon’s numeric values that help all coin collectors describe their coins accurately (for the most part). This guide will help you understand those terms and descriptions so you can accurately grade your Washington silver quarters. Obverse: Parts of the word “LIBERTY” and the date are merging with the rim. All details on Washington’s head are worn away and just an outline remains. Reverse: The lettering next to the rim is almost worn smooth but somewhat discernible. The eagle’s head and torso are completely smooth and just an outline. Grading Tip: If the rim is full and complete, the coin will grade better than an AG–3. Obverse: Washington’s head is well-worn and very few details remain. The letters in “LIBERTY” and the numerals in the date are starting to merge with the rim but are full and complete. Reverse: The eagle is worn almost flat but a definitive outline exists. The letters next to the rim are worn to the point where they are beginning to merge with the rim but are complete. Obverse: The entire head is weak but some major details are starting to show through. All letters are full and complete and separated from the rim. Reverse: About half of the wing feathers are now clear and distinct. The breast and legs of the Eagle are only an outline. The leaves on the wreath show very little details and the rim is nearly complete. Grading Tip: If the rim is not full and complete the coin will grade below a VG-8. Obverse: Details are beginning to show on the hair on the back of Washington’s head. The rim is crisp and clear and totally separated from the letters. Reverse: Major details on the eagle’s breast and legs are starting to show but the finer details on the feathers are worn off. About three- quarters of the feathers in the wings are now showing. The rim is full and complete and separated from the letters. Obverse: Three-quarters of the lines in the hair are now showing. The hairline is separated from the forehead. Some details in the hair over the ear are beginning to show. Reverse: The eagle’s breast is apparently worn but a few details in the feathers are starting to show. The legs are worn smooth and most details in the eagle’s wings are evident. Obverse: Wear is visible on the high points of Washington’s hair with all the major details being visible. The hairline that separates his forehead from his hair is crisp and distinct. Reverse: There is light wear on the high points of the eagle’s breast. Most feathers on the breast are now visible. Finer details in the eagle’s wings are clearly evident. Wear is evident on only the highest points of the eagle’s legs. Obverse: Slight traces of wear are evident on only the highest points of the coin. This includes the curls of hair that surround Washington’s ear and the hair in the center of his head. Nearly the entire mint luster is existent. Reverse: Only a slight trace of wear is visible on the highest points of the eagle’s breast feathers and legs. All finer details in the eagle’s wings are clearly visible. Grading Tip: If a particular coin has many bag marks, but the mint luster is full and complete even on the highest points, it will grade a low Mint State condition. Obverse: There is no trace of wear even on the design high points. The mint luster is full and complete but there are significant distracting marks in the field and/or on Washington’s face. Reverse: There is no trace of wear on the eagle’s high points including the breast and the upper tips of the eagle’s wings. There are a significant number of distracting marks on the eagle. Obverse: No trace of wear is evident on the coin and only a few minuscule marks may be seen in the field or on Washington’s face or neck. Reverse: No wear is evident anywhere on the coin. Only a few minuscule marks may be seen on the Eagle. Obverse: No traces of wear are evident anywhere on the coin. There are no distracting marks and the mint luster is above average. Pay special attention to Washington’s face and the fields of the coin. Reverse: All details of the coin are clearly visible even on the highest points of the coin. The eye appeal is superb. Pay special attention to the eagle’s breast and legs.
