Estimate a Coin’s Visible Wear From Both Sides
Upload a front and reverse photo to get a broad educational Sheldon-scale wear range, surface observations and missing evidence. The result can be inconclusive. It is not a certified grade, authentication, valuation or recommendation to pay for grading.
Upload the front (obverse)
Select the front first, then the other side of the same item. Maximum 6 MB for both photos combined.
Your photo analysis
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Why both sides are required
Wear, contact marks and damage can differ between the obverse and reverse. Photograph the same coin on both sides in similar light. Glare, holders and blur may hide detail. Two images still cannot reproduce in-hand inspection of luster and surfaces.
Read the range as an educational comparison
The tool uses broad bands rather than selecting a single grade: heavy wear (1–8), moderate wear (8–35), light wear (40–58), or inconclusive. A coin with no obvious wear is left inconclusive for numeric grading because photos may not distinguish slight friction, weak strike, cleaning and mint-state surfaces.
Separate wear from damage
An apparent scratch, corrosion patch or cleaning line is recorded as a surface observation. Damage can make a simple numeric range misleading; the result should then explain why it cannot provide one. Grading standards vary by series, so compare the coin to examples from the same series.
Before considering professional grading
Identify the denomination, date, mint mark and possible variety first. A range from this tool does not establish market value or prove that submission fees are worthwhile. A reputable dealer or grading service can discuss authentication, condition and the costs appropriate to the particular coin.
References
Related free tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this give my coin an exact MS grade?
No. It never returns a single numeric grade. Coins with little or no visible wear require in-hand assessment before a reliable mint-state grade can be assigned.
Why must I upload the reverse?
One side can hide wear or damage present on the other. Both uploads are required for this tool, but unclear or conflicting photos still produce an inconclusive result.
Should I clean the coin first?
No. Cleaning can alter the surface and reduce collector interest. Photograph it as it is, handling it carefully by the edge.
Is this a PCGS or NGC grading service?
No. This is an independent educational photo tool and does not certify, encapsulate or authenticate coins.
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