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Grading australian banknotes
The grade is used to determine the exact value of a banknote. It represents the quality and wear. This section helps you to determine the grade of a coin with the Sheldon scale, the universal scale gradation tool.
- General: General cleanliness of the bill, including wear on corners and edges, dirt, tears, perforations (stapler, pin), bank or any company stamps, taping, writing mark)
- Firmness: The firmness of the bill (crispy / crunchy), of its fibers
- Folds: Folds, ripples and counting marks
- Colors: Brightness / color intensity and clarity of the design (drawings, landscapes, figures, reliefs, signatures, serial numbers, date)
| General | Firmness | Folds | Colors | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G (Good) | Major signs of circulation, dirt, tears and perforations or major stamp mark may be present. | No firmness at all. | Folds and major counting marks. | Altered colors and details deleted. Sometimes blackened banknote. |
| VG (Very Good) | Major signs of circulation, dirt, tears and perforations or major stamp mark may be present. | Little or no firm. | Folds and major counting marks. | Pale colors and details often altered and deleted. |
| F (Fine) | Signs of wear on corners and edges, but still a clean banknote. | Used fiber with little firm. | Several folding marks and major and minor counting marks. | Less intense colors and signs of wear on the details. |
| VF (Very Fine) | Signs of wear on corners and edges, but still a clean banknote. | Fibers slightly worn, maintaining a certain firmness. | Several folding marks and major and minor counting marks. | Less intense colors and signs of wear on the details. |
| EF (Extremely Fine) | Without alteration. | Broken fibers by a honest fold in the center, but intact elsewhere. | A major fold in the center. Can also show up two or three counting marks. | Bright colors and details present. |
| AU (About Uncirculated) | Without alteration. | Firm. | A major ripple (no fold) OR slight counting marks. | Vivid colors and details present. |
| UNC (UNCirculated) | The bill can be offset with near intact corners and edges. Must not have been restored or pressed. | Firm, almost perfect. | Can show 3 minor defects (3 demerit points). The marks left by binding machines or marks left by ATMs are acceptable. | Bright colors and attractive bill to the eye. Less bright colors on older banknotes are acceptable. |
| CUNC (Choice UNCirculated) | The bill can be offset with near intact corners and edges. Must not have been restored or pressed. | Firm, almost perfect. | Can show a minor defect (1 demerit point). | Bright colors and attractive bill to the eye. Less bright colors on older banknotes are acceptable. |
| GUNC (Gem UNCirculated) | Centered bill with intact corners and edges. Must not have been restored or pressed. | Firm, almost perfect, the paper is fresh and bright. | None. | Bright colors, bright and attractive bill to the eye. |
