Banknote Grading:

Point System:

100 Points   = Uncirculated
90   Points   = EF
75   Points   = VF
55   Points   = F
30   Points   = VG
20   Points   = G



Points are allocated for the following:


Cleanliness:

20    Perfect. Note Clean and bright
15    Slight soiling only just noticable
10    Note considerably soiled/ or bankers marks
     Note very dirty, considerably reducing legibility


Folding:

20    No folds whatsoever
15    One or two folds leaving a slight crease
10    Several or more prominent folds
0      Many folds


Surface:

20    Perfect, no damage whatsever
15    Slight and only just detectable damage
10    Note damaged in several places
     Note extensively damaged


Edges

20   Perfectly straight and undamaged
15  
Slight roughness or indentation
10  
Edges considerably damaged and or tears not extending into the design
0
      Edges badly damaged or tears extending into the design


Holes

20   None
15  
One or two pin holes
10  
Several pin holes or one or two larger holes
0
       Several larger holes

Example: A slightly soiled note with several folds, no damage to the surface or edges but with several pinholes:

Cleanliness :     15
Folding        :     10
Surface        :     20
Edges          :     20
Holes            :    10

Total             =    75  = VF (Very fine)


The words “pinholes”, “staple holes”, “trimmed”, “writing on face”, “tape marks”, etc. should always be added to the description of a note.

A partial grade can be obtained by adding
about or - to a grade to indicate slightly worse than or good or + to indicate a better than the full grade indicated.

For instance : A note which is better than just Fine (e.g. 60 points) but worse than Very Fine can be F+ or gF if it is slightly better than Fine or (e.g. 70 points) aVF or VF- if it is slightly worse than Very fine.


Standard International Grading Terminology & Abbreviations

France  - Republique Francaise
NEUF - New
SUP - Superbe
TTB - Tres Tres Beau
TB - Tres Beau
B - Beau
TBC - Tres Bien Conserve
BC - Bien Conserve

Germany - Bundesrepublik Deutschland
BFR - Bankfrisch
VZGL - Vorzüglich
SS - Sehr Schön
S - Schön
SG - Sehr Gur erhalten
G - Gut erhalten
GS - Gering erhalten Schlecht

      

I
taly - Republica Italiana
FdS - Fiore di Stampa
SPL - Spledido
BB - Bellissimo
MB - Molto Bello
B - Bello
M - Mediocre 


Lithuania - Lietuva (Lietuvos Republika)
NP - Nepriekaistingas
YP - Ypatingai Puikus
LP - Labai Puikus
P - Puikus
LG - Labai Geras
G - Geras
M - Menkas 
      
Netherlands - Nederland
UNC - Ongecirculeerd
PR - Prachtig
ZF - Zeer Frai
F - Fraai
ZG - Zeer Goed
G - Goed  


Spain - España
EBC - Extraordinariamente Bien Conservada
SC - Sin Circular
IC - Incirculante
MBC - Muy Bien Conservada
BC - Bien Conservada
RC - Regular Conservada
MC - Mala Conservada


Country / Grade    Uncirculated   Extremely Fine    Very Fine       Fine       Very Good        Good               Poor
USA & English            UNC                  EF or XF            VF                F             VG                   G                   PR
Brazil                            (1) FE                   (3) S             (5) MBC    (7) BC           (8)                 (9) R           UTGeG
Denmark,Finland,          0                            01                    1+              1                 1-                   2                     3
Norway and Sweden                       
France                         NEUF                     SUP                 TTB             TB               B                 TBC                 BC
Germany                     I (BFR)                 II (VZGL)             III (SS)         IV (S)       V (SG)          VI (G)         VII (GS)
Italy                                 FdS                       SPL                   BB              MB             B                  M                      -
Japan                           Mishiyo                  Goku                   Bihin           Bihin          -                    -                       -
                                                                                                                 Futsuhin        
Lithuania                        (0) NP                  (1) YP                  (2) LP         (3) P          (4) LG         (5) G            (6) M
Netherlands            FDC / UNC                PR                       ZF                F                ZG                 G                    -
Portugal                        Novo                  Soberbo        Muito Bo
Romania                        NC                               -                    FF               F                FBC             BC                   M
Spain - España            Lujo SC             IC or EBC            MBC           BC               -                    RC                MC



Banknote grading for beginners - the mystery is unveiled !