NGC Coin Grading Standards & Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On the Sheldon scale, what grade range defines a coin as 'Extremely Fine' (EF/XF)?
- AU-50 to AU-58
- EF-40 to EF-45 (Correct answer)
- VF-20 to VF-35
- MS-60 to MS-63
Correct answer: EF-40 to EF-45
Extremely Fine coins grade EF-40 to EF-45, showing light wear on the high points with all major features sharp.
Question 2: What does NGC's 'Star Designation' (★) indicate on a graded coin?
- The coin is a proof strike
- The coin has exceptional eye appeal beyond its grade (Correct answer)
- The coin was struck at a branch mint
- The coin has a CAC sticker
Correct answer: The coin has exceptional eye appeal beyond its grade
NGC's Star Designation recognizes coins with exceptional eye appeal that surpasses the typical standard for that grade.
Question 3: Which grading term describes a coin that shows no trace of wear but may have contact marks or blemishes?
- About Uncirculated
- Mint State (Correct answer)
- Choice Fine
- Specimen
Correct answer: Mint State
Mint State (MS) describes coins with no trace of wear, though they may have varying degrees of contact marks, luster disturbance, or eye appeal.
Question 4: What is 'luster' as evaluated by NGC graders on a Mint State coin?
- The depth of relief on the coin's design
- The reflective quality of the metal's surface created during minting (Correct answer)
- The color of a toned coin
- The sharpness of the coin's strike
Correct answer: The reflective quality of the metal's surface created during minting
Luster refers to the cartwheel-like reflective sheen created when metal flows into die recesses during the minting process, and it diminishes with circulation.
Question 5: In NGC grading, what is a 'Cameo' (CAM) designation on a proof coin?
- A coin struck on an oversize planchet
- A proof with frosted devices contrasting against mirror fields (Correct answer)
- A coin with original mint packaging
- A coin struck with dies used fewer than 50 times
Correct answer: A proof with frosted devices contrasting against mirror fields
The CAM designation on proof coins indicates frosted, satiny devices that contrast with deeply mirrored fields, creating a cameo effect.
Question 6: What distinguishes a 'Deep Cameo' (DCAM) from a standard 'Cameo' designation?
- DCAM coins are struck in 90% silver; CAM coins are clad
- DCAM shows an even more dramatic frosted-device-to-mirror-field contrast than CAM (Correct answer)
- DCAM is only awarded to coins graded PR-70
- DCAM requires NGC full-body certification
Correct answer: DCAM shows an even more dramatic frosted-device-to-mirror-field contrast than CAM
Deep Cameo (DCAM) indicates an extreme, dramatic contrast between heavily frosted devices and deeply mirrored fields, surpassing the standard Cameo threshold.
Question 7: According to NGC standards, what grade is assigned to a coin described as 'Good'?
- G-4 to G-6 (Correct answer)
- VG-8 to VG-10
- F-12 to F-15
- AG-3
Correct answer: G-4 to G-6
Good grades on the Sheldon scale correspond to G-4 and G-6, representing heavily worn coins with major design elements visible but flat.
NGC Coin Grading Standards & Procedures 2
On the Sheldon scale, what grade range defines a coin as 'Extremely Fine' (EF/XF)?