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▪Quality Accessories

▪Australian Decimal
Coins

PROOF: Describes a type of coin, not a condition or grade. Such coins are specially struck collectors pieces not intended for circulation. Highly polished dies and blanks are used in their manufacture so that they have a mirror-like finish when struck. They are individually handled during production. Many proof coins have a frosted relief, the design having been treated with acid or sand blasted so that it has a matt finish to make it stand out against the highly polished field surrounding it. Some proof coins have an all over matt finish although this is not usual with Australian coins.

FDC (Fleur de coin): This is a French term which literally means: "Flower of the Die". It describes a coin in the highest state of preservation. It can be used with PROOF coins exclusively struck for collectors, or coins produced for normal circulation. The strike should be faultless and well-centred. Design details will be razor-sharp. The surface of the coins and the rim will not show and Detracting Marks, and full fresh Mint Lustre must be present. There is outstanding Eye Appeal. Silver coins may feature and attractive Patina or Toning. Bronze coins must be virtually fully Brilliant.

GEM UNCIRCULATED: Far more often than not, this will be the highest grade a collector can realistically expect to encounter, as opposed to the above-mentioned "super coins" referred to as FDC. A "GEM" uncirculated coin will be almost faultless with a strong, but not necessarily absolutely perfect strike. The design may show just a hint of die-wear but such wear should be minimal. Detracting Marks are of a highly insignificant nature. Virtually Full Lustre or Mint Bloom will be evident. Patina or toning may be present on both silver or bronze coins. Strong Eye Appeal is present. With bronze coins, the degree of Brilliance remaining may have a significant influence on the value of the coin, but not its grade. It is unusual to find a GEM grade bronze coin that has fully toned. Paradoxically, toning, (or lack of Brilliance) is less acceptable to collectors on bronze coins than an attractive tone (Patina) on a GEM grade silver coin. To express the amount of Brilliance remaining on a bronze coin, some dealers will use a "%" as an indicator after the grade. Thus, GEM - 50%B (or 50% Brilliance) refers to a coin retaining half its Brilliance.

CHU (Choice Uncirculated): Sometimes abbreviated to CHU. Describes a fairly well struck coin but some weakness in this area is acceptable. A CHU coin will be free of any significant Detracting Marks and still retain a considerable degree of Mint Lustre. Pleasant Eye Appeal is present.

UNC (Uncirculated - Typical): As the name would imply, a coin which has not been circulated in the commercial sense and therefore shows no wear. It may however have been struck from a die nearing the end of its useful life, and not all of the intricate details of the design may be fully formed on the coin. Moderate but not excessive Detracting Marks from the production process may be evident in the fields and on the rim. Fairly attractive Eye Appeal should be present. Footnote: Detracting Marks or other major imperfections must either be mentioned in addition to the grade, or if reasonable, the grade itself should be lowered into the EF range, to be in keeping with the values given in this guide.

aUNC Almost Uncirculated: Similar to above but with faint traces of wear on the highest points of the design. The coin still shows a reasonable degree of lustre. Coins in aUNC condition might even have eye appeal more than uncirculated coins as they might be a very sharp strike and have minimal bag marks despite showing very minor traces of having been handled or circulated.

EF Extremely Fine: Generally speaking, this grade describes a coin which shows some slight wear that is barely noticeable to the naked eye. However care should be taken to give due consideration to the striking of the coin in the first place. Be careful not to confuse a soft strike with what might otherwise appear to be wear.

VF Very Fine: A coin in this grade will show distinct signs of wear which could not possibly be due to a soft or weak strike. Most of the lustre will have disappeared and the high points of the coin will be completely missing. Some very slight rim damage may be present in the form of tiny indentations (as opposed to significant nicks). Overall though, the coin should still be generally pleasing to the eye with most of the major detail still quite sharp.

F Fine: By now the coin exhibits extensive evidence of having been circulated. The general design is easy to recognise but most of the significant parts of the design have worn away.

VG: Very Good: A rather misleading term to describe a coin which is in anything but in "Very Good" condition. In fact the entire surface of the coin is practically devoid of significant detail although the basic design and date will still be readable.
 

This excellent information has been quoted from McDonalds Guide 2006 Edition, Page 20 - 22.

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