How To Tell What Condition or Grade Your Confederate or
Obsolete Banknote Is In
How To Tell What Condition or Grade Your
Confederate or Obsolete Banknote Is In
Grading is
subjective and unfortunately, there is no 1 accepted grading
standard in the paper-money collecting field. Generally, other than
the UNC grade, you will encounter differing opinions on what
constitutes Good thru AU notes. The Europeans tend to have stricter
standards than their U.S. counterparts, while Modern U.S. currency
collectors have a slightly different standard than those that
collect Confederate or Obsolete banknotes. Even within a given
field, it is hard to get 2 collectors to agree on a grade. The
following grading standards are the ones that we follow and
basically reflect the guidlines used by noted Confederate and
Southern States currency experts Arlie Slabaugh and the late Col.
Grover Criswell.
UNC-
Uncirculated: A perfectly preserved note. The paper is
clean and crisp. Corners are sharp and square, without any evidence
of rounding. Most Confederate and obsolete currency may have uneven
margins due to having been cut from the original sheets by hand. (
there are more stringent degrees of UNC such as GEM and CHOICE
based on color brightness, margin width, eveness, and centering
that command higher prices)
AU- About Uncirculated:A perfect note with some minor
handling. May show very slight evidence of bank counting folds or
crinkles at a corner or one light fold through the center, but not
both. Corners are not rounded.
XF- Extremely
Fine:A note that has seen light handling. It may have a
maximum of 3 light folds or 1 strong crease. The corners may show
only the slightest evidence of rounding.
VF- Very Fine:
A note with more evidence of handling and wear. The note may have a
couple of folds. The paper may have minor dirt on it. The paper
itself is still relatively crisp and not limp. The edges show
slight wear. Corners also show wear but not full
rounding.
F- Fine: A note
which shows considerable circulation with many folds, creases or
wrinkling. Paper is not excessively dirty but will have some
limpness. Edges may show minor tears. Tears may not extend into the
design. Colors or images may be faded
VG-Very Good: A
well used note. Corners may have much rounding, tears if present, may extend
into the design. The note may have staining and loss of color or
faded images. Pinholes are common and the note is limp but no
pieces of the note may be missing.
G- Good: A well
worn and heavily used note. The note will exhibit normal damage from prolonged
circulation consisting of some OR all of the following: holes, dirt, stains, tears, frayed edges, very
faded &c.
P- Poor:This is
the lowest grade that can be accorded to a note. Such a note is
severely damaged with large pieces missing and showing heavy
surface wear, large holes, stains and considerable
discoloration.
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