Primary considerations at the AG-3 grade level:
• The date has been obliterated
• The obverse motto is mostly lacking deatil
• Rim merges somewhat on the obverse and considerably on the reverse
• Eagle's tail and wing tips have disappeared

Primary considerations at the G-4 grade level:
• The date is extremely weak and shows a hint of a digit at most
• The obverse motto is weak with some letters unreadable
• Most gateway stars are blurry
• Rim is complete on the obverse, but merges at points on the reverse
• Eagle is almost fully outlined

Primary considerations at the G-6 grade level:
• Portions of several date digits show
• The obverse motto is weak, but readable
• Some gateway stars are blurry
• Rim is complete on both sides of the coin
• Eagle is fully outlined
*note* The rare type 1 coins dated 1916 have a different wear pattern than the more common 1917. This is especially evident at low grades; for example, the coin shown here has a weaker gateway and shield.

Primary considerations at the VG-8 grade level:
• The date is readable, but very weak; number tops blend significantly
• Most gateway stars are clear
• Reverse lettering is clear

Primary considerations at the VG-10 grade level:
• All four date digits are readable but completely flat with missing number tops
• All gateway stars are clear
• Separation lines in the eagle's left wing start to show
• Reverse lettering is bold

Primary considerations at the F-12 grade level:
• All four date digits are easily readable, but the number tops are missing detail
• The federal shield on Liberty's shield starts to show
• The eagle's left wing feathers are differentiated with lines well into the wing

Primary considerations at the F-15 grade level:
• All four date digits are easily readable, but the number tops blend slightly
• The federal shield emblem on Liberty's shield starts to show
• The inner feathers of the eagle's right wing begin to show separation

Primary considerations at the VF-20 grade level:
• All four date digits are full, but flat
• The obverse motto shows boldly
• Liberty's breasts begin to show separation in the center
• Most major details now show in eagle's wings

Primary considerations at the VF-25 grade level:
• All four date digits are full without significant blurring at the number tops
• Liberty's breasts begin to show separation in the center
• Liberty's gown begins to show some faint detail in the front
• Most major details now show in eagle's wings

Primary considerations at the VF-30 grade level:
• The date is completely clear
• Liberty's gown begins to show some detail in the front
• Fine detail starts to show on the eagle's right wing

Primary considerations at the VF-35 grade level:
• The date is completely clear
• Liberty's breasts are clearly separated
• Liberty's gown begins to show fine detail in the front as the gown folds become clear
• Fine detail starts to show on the eagle's right wing

Primary considerations at the XF-40 grade level:
• The date is bold
• Interior detail starts to show on the federal shield
• Liberty's toes may show faintly
• A hint of the the eagle's breast feathers may show

Primary considerations at the XF-45 grade level:
• The date is bold
• Interior detail starts to show on the federal shield, with some vertical lines present
• Liberty's toes are visible
• Feathers show on the eagle's breast, but the detail is weak

Primary considerations at the AU-50 grade level:
• Some mint luster remains
• Most of the obverse and reverse design shows boldly
• Obverse still shows wear on the shield and in the area above her front leg
• Reverse still shows wear on the eagle's body

Primary considerations at the AU-53 grade level:
• Some mint luster remains
• Clear wear across the obverse design and high points of Liberty's front leg, her head, and the shield center can be flat
• Clear wear across the reverse design and high point of the feathers of the eagle's body can be flat

Primary considerations at the AU-55 grade level:
• Considerable mint luster may remain
• Light wear just on the obverse high points of Liberty's front leg, her head, and the shield center
• Light wear just on the reverse high point of the feathers on the eagle's body

Primary considerations at the AU-58 level:
• Full or nearly full mint luster remains
• Very light wear just on the obverse high points of Liberty's front leg, her head, and the shield center
• Very light wear just on the reverse high point of the feathers on the eagle's body

Primary considerations at the MS-60/1 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster, but luster breaks due to issues
• Marking, abrasions, or other imperfections that clearly impact appearance
• Generally below average eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-62 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Moderate level of marking or abrasions visible
• Average or below average eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-63 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• A few markings or abrasions visible
• Average eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-64 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Light marking is visible to the naked eye
• Generally average or above average eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-65 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Only very light marking is visible to the naked eye
• Above average eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-66 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Very insignificant marking found under magnification
• Well above average eye appeal

Primary considerations at the MS-67 grade level:
• No wear and full mint luster
• Nearly perfect, with only the most minor imperfections found under magnification
• An extremely attractive coin

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