ABC Banknote Grading Scale
ABC Banknote Grading Scale | ||
|---|---|---|
| 70 EPQ Seventy GEM UNC | The highest grade to be assigned to a banknote. Printing, margins and registration appeared to be perfectly printed and centered to the unaided eye. Notes must have no evidence of handling visible | |
| 69 EPQ Superb GEM UNC | Notes in this grade is nearly visually indistinguishable to a 70EPQ banknotes but the printing, margins and registration might be slightly off-centered No evidence of handling to unaided eye. | |
| 68 EPQ Superb GEM UNC | Printing, margins and registration appeared to be slightly off-centered. Evidence of very minor handling | |
| 67 EPQ Superb GEM UNC | Notes achieved above-average margin and registration Evidence of minor handling | |
| 66 EPQ GEM Uncirculated |
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65 EPQ GEM Uncirculated | Margin and registration are still above average Notes may bear 1 or 2 minor distractions which is a result of handling | |
| 64 EPQ Choice Uncirculated | Centering is off on 1 or 2 sides. Handling may be evident but definitely no folds on the banknote | |
| 63 Choice Uncirculated | The centering is imperfect and the design may be flat. There may be several flaws but there will be no folds. | |
62 Uncirculated | The note is strictly uncirculated but may have minor-to-moderate handling and/or corner tip issues. There will be no folds, however. The margins may touch or come into the design. | |
61 Uncirculated | The note is poorly centered and the margins come into the design. There may be counting marks, smudges or other signs of handling. There will be no folds through the design. | |
60 Uncirculated | A note with problems that may include toned paper, a small stain or fading. There will be handling issues but there will be no folds through the design. | |
| 58 Choice About UNC | Banknote with a single fold that cross the design | |
| 55 About Uncirculated | Banknote with one-fold or 2 to 3 corner folds through the design | |
| 53 About Uncirculated | Banknote bears 2 vertical folds or a single horizontal fold. Note may bear signs of handling | |
| 50 About Uncirculated | Banknote has two heavier vertical folds or a light horizontal and vertical folds. Handling is significant | |
| 45 Choice Extremely Fine | Banknote with 2 to 3 heavy folds, one of each may be horizontal | |
| 40 Extremely Fine | Banknote bear 3 or more folds, one of each may be horizontal | |
| 35 Choice Very Fine | Banknote bear 4 to 7 light folds | |
| 30 Very Fine | Banknote was slightly circulated with 7 to 10 folds | |
| 25 Very Fine | Banknote is in similar condition as a 30 while it bear more folds. Circulation is evident | |
| 20 Very Fine | Banknote bear numerous folds; mild soiling and it was moderately circulated. There are no serious detractions but it may contain minor defects | |
| 15 Choice Fine | Banknote is well circulated. Close examination may find too many folds and it may contain minor defects | |
| 12 Fine | Banknote is well circulated. Note in this grade may have rounded corners, margin splits and other issues. The note must be whole with solid paper | |
| 10 Very Good | Banknote with lots of circulation which contains a number of minor problems | |
ABC Banknote Designation and Definition | |
|---|---|
| EPQ | An Exceptional Paper Quality (EPQ) note is, in the opinions of ABC graders, the banknotes are completely original and without any human manipulations of its’ original appearance. This represents the banknote has not been physically, chemically, or materially processed to enhance the appearance of a higher grade. Banknote graded 25 and higher will be evaluate for EPQ designation Banknote has to achieve EPQ grade in order to obtain 65 or higher gradings. |
| NET | The NET designation indicates a banknote that have problems are more severe than that can be reflected by the note’s assigned numeric grade. The aforementioned problems will be listed on the certificate. Notes with NET designation are guaranteed to be genuine only while the grade portion of the ABC Guarantee does not apply to Notes given a NET designation by ABC. |
| Handling | Minor disturbances in the paper other than folds such as teller counting marks, crinkles and minor bends. |
| Registration | The alignment of the face and back printing |