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Grading Banknotes

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International Grading Standards for World Banknotes

Introduction

Grading is the most controversial component of banknote collecting today. Small differences in grade can mean
significant differences in value. The process of grading is so subjective and dependant on external influences such as
lighting, that even a very experienced individual may well grade the same note differently on separate occasions.

To facilitate communication between sellers and buyers, it is essential that grading terms and their meanings be
standardized and as widely used as possible. This standardization should reflect common usage as much as
practicable.

The grades and definitions as set forth below cannot reconcile all the various systems and grading terminology
variants. Rather, the attempt is made here to try and diminish the controversy with some common sense grades and
definitions that aim to give more precise meaning to the grading language of paper money.

How to look at a banknote

In order to ascertain the grade of a note, it is essential to examine it out of a holder and under a good light. Move the
note around so that the light bounces off at different angles. Try holding it up obliquely so that the note is almost even
with your eye as you look up at the light. Hard-to-see folds or slight creases will show up under such examination.
Some individuals also lightly feel along the surface of the note to detect creasing.

Cleaning, washing, pressing of banknotes

Cleaning, washing or pressing paper money is generally harmful and reduces both the grade and the value of a note.
At the very least, a washed or pressed note may lose its original sheen and its surface may become lifeless and dull.
The defects a note had, such as folds and creases, may not necessarily be completely eliminated and their telltale
marks can be detected under a good light. Carelessly washed notes may have white streaks where the folds or
creases were (or still are).

Processing of a note which started out as Extremely Fine will automatically reduce it at least one full grade.

Glue, tape, or pencil marks may sometimes be successfully removed. While such removal will have a cleaned
surface, it will improve the overall appearance of the note without concealing any of its defects. Under such
circumstances, the grade of the note may also be improved.

The words “pinholes”, “staple holes”, “trimmed”, “tape marks”,"bank graffiti" etc. should always be added to the
description of a note. It is realized that certain countries routinely staple their notes together in groups before issue.
In such cases, the description can include a comment such as “usual staple holes” or something similar. After all,
not everyone knows that such-and-such a note cannot be found otherwise.

The major point of this section is that one cannot lower the overall grade of a note with defects simply because of
the defects. The price will reflect the lowered worth of a defective note, but the description must always include the
specific defects.

The Term “Uncirculated”

The word “Uncirculated”: is used in this grading guide only as a qualitative measurement of the appearance of a note.
It has nothing at all to do with whether or not an issuer has actually released the note to circulation. Thus the term
“About Uncirculated” is justified and acceptable because so many notes that have never seen hand-to-hand use have
been mishandled so that they are available in, at best, AU condition. Either a note is uncirculated in condition or it
not; there can be no degree of uncirculated. Highlights or defects in color, centering and the like may be included in
the description but the fact that a note is or is not in uncirculated condition should not be a disputable point.

Grading Guide - definition of terms

UNCIRCULATED: UNC A perfectly preserved note, never mishandled by the issuing authority, a bank teller, the public
or a collector. Paper is clean and firm, without discoloration. Corners are sharp and square, without any evidence of
rounding. An uncirculated note will have its original, natural sheen.

NOTE: Some note issues are most often available with slight evidence of very light counting folds which do not "break"
the paper. Also French-printed notes usually have a slight ripple in the paper. Many collectors and dealers refer to
such notes as AU-UNC.

ABOUT UNCIRCULATED: A virtually perfect note, with some minor handling. May show very slight evidence of bank
counting folds at a corner or one light fold through the center, but not both. An AU note can not be creased, a crease
being a hard fold which has usually "broken" the surface of the note. Paper is clean and bright with original sheen.
Corners are not rounded.

EXTREMELY FINE: EF(XF) A very attractive note, with light handling. May have a maximum of three light folds or
one strong crease. Paper is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners may show only the slightest evidence of
rounding. There may also be the slightest sign of wear where a fold meets the edge.

VERY FINE: VF An attractive note, but with more evidence of handling and wear. May have several folds both
vertically and horizontally. Paper may have minimal dirt, or possible colour smudging. Paper itself is still relatively
crisp and floppy. There are no tears into the border area, although the edges do show slight wear. Corners also show
wear but not full rounding.

FINE: A note which shows considerable circulation, with many folds, creases and wrinkling. Paper is not excessively
dirty but may have some softness. Edges may show much handling, with minor tears in the border area. Tears may
not extend into the design. There will be no center hole because of excessive folding. Colours are clear but not very
bright. A staple hole or two would not be considered unusual wear in a Fine F note. Overall appearance is still on the
desirable side.

VERY GOOD: A well used note, abused but still intact. Corners may have much wear and rounding, tiny nicks, tears
may extend into the design, some discoloration may be present, staining may have occurred, and a small hole may
sometimes be seen at center from excessive folding. Staple holes and pinholes are usually present, and the note
itself is quite limp but NO pieces of the note can be missing. A note in VG condition may still have an overall not
unattractive appearance.

GOOD: A well worn and heavily used note. Normal damage from prolonged circulation will include strong multiple
folds and creases, stains, pinholes and/or staple holes, dirt, discoloration, edge tears, centre hole, rounded corners
and an overall unattractive appearance. No large pieces of the note may be missing. Graffiti is commonly seen on
notes in G condition.

FAIR: FR A totally limp, dirty and very well used note. Larger pieces may be half torn off or missing besides the
defects mentioned under the Good category. Tears will be larger, obscured portions of the note will be bigger.

POOR: PR A "rag" with severe damage because of wear, staining, pieces missing, graffiti, larger holes. May have
tape holding pieces of the note together. Trimming may have taken place to remove rough edges. A Poor note is
desirable only as a "filler" or when such a note is the only one known of that particular issue.

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