Grading canadian banknotes, evaluate banknote grade - Coins and Canada

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Grading Canadian 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 note 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)

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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.

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