Primary considerations at the AG-3 grade level:
• Lettering is blending with the rim on both the obverse and reverse
• Outline of the wheat ears is not complete
• Little to no evidence of Lincoln's ear

Primary considerations at the G-4 grade level:
• Lettering on both sides is complete but flat and weak
• Wheat ears fully outlined
• No wheat lines
• Lower wheat spikes show faint detail
• Hint of an ear hole

Primary considerations at the G-6 grade level:
• No wheat lines
• Some of lower wheat spike shows, but it is very weak
• Ear outline shows faintly in bottom half

Primary considerations at the VG-8 grade level:
• As many as 1/3 of the wheat lines show
• Lower wheat spike shows plainly with some kernels taking a basic shape
• Reverse motto usually shows a gap with rim
• Hint of lower jawline line and upper cheekbone line show

Primary considerations at the VG-10 grade level:
• As many as 1/2 of the wheat lines show
• Every kernel shows in the lower wheat spike, but none are outlined against one another
• Lincoln's hair starts to show on the side of his head

Primary considerations at the F-12 grade level:
• About 2/3 of the wheat lines show
• Large grooves begin to show in Lincoln's hair
• The jawline and cheekbone begin to take shape but are not seperated
• About 1/3 of the ear is present

Primary considerations at the F-15 grade level:
• Most of the wheat lines show
• Most of the large grooves show in Lincoln's hair
• About 1/2 of the ear shows

Primary considerations at the VF-20 grade level:
• Wheat lines are essentially complete, but very slight blending remains
• Kernels in lower wheat spikes start to show an outline
• Cheek and jaw begin to show separation, but very faintly

Primary considerations at the VF-25 grade level:
• Wheat lines are full with no blending, yet they are flat
• Bottom half of Lincoln's ear is full
• Inner ear begins to show in bottom half

Primary considerations at the VF-30 grade level:
• Wheat lines full and a few show bold separation
• Half of wheat kernels show full outlining
• Clear cheek and jaw separation
• Top part of ear begins to show

Primary considerations at the VF-35 grade level:
• Wheat lines full and half show bold separation
• Most wheat kernels show full outlining
• Much of Lincoln's hair shows, but finer details missing
• Inner ear shows in the top half

Primary considerations at the XF-40 grade level:
• Most wheat lines now bold
• Faint traces of mint luster may remain
• Most of Lincoln's hair and ear shows, with some blending between the two

Primary considerations at the XF-45 grade level:
• Nearly all wheat lines now bold
• Slight mint luster may remain
• Nearly all of Lincoln's hair and ear show, with slight blending between the two

Primary considerations at the AU-50 grade level:
• Some mint luster remains
• All wheat lines and wheat kernels show boldly, with light wear
• Light even wear on high points of hair and ear

Primary considerations at the AU-53 grade level:
• Some mint luster remains
• Reverse shows very light wear on wheat kernels under magnification
• Very light even wear on high points of hair and ear on obverse

Primary considerations at the AU-55 grade level:
• Considerable mint luster may remain
• All details bold
• Slight wear visible under magnification

Primary considerations at the AU-58 level:
• Full or nearly full mint luster remains
• All details bold
• Only select high points show slight wear under magnification

Primary considerations at the MS-60/1 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster, but luster breaks due to marking
• Heavy marking or abrasions, yet short of being considered damage
• Often a brown coin, sometimes red/brown
• Generally below average strike/eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-62 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Significant chatter, perhaps one heavier hit permitted
• Often a brown coin, sometimes red/brown
• Average or below average strike/eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-63 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Moderate, but not serious marking or abrasions
• Usually a red/brown coin
• Average strike/eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-64 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Visible marking or abrasions, but it does not distract
• A red or red/brown coin
• Generally average or above average strike/eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-65 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Light marking is visible to the naked eye
• A red or red/brown coin
• Above average strike/eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-66 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Light marking found under magnification
• A red coin
• Well above average strike/eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-67 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Only the most minor imperfections found under magnification
• A red coin
• A very attractive coin with a great strike

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