What scale do PMG and PCGS use for paper money?

Both use a 70-point numeric scale adapted from the Sheldon coin scale. It runs from 1 (Poor) through circulated grades to 70 (Gem Uncirculated). Grades of 60 and above are Uncirculated, meaning no folds or circulation wear.

What separates Uncirculated from About Uncirculated?

An Uncirculated note (60-70) has never been folded or handled in circulation and retains full crispness and original embossing. An About Uncirculated note (50-58) is nearly perfect but shows a light fold, corner bend, or minor handling.

What does EPQ or PPQ mean on a slab?

EPQ (Exceptional Paper Quality, PMG) and PPQ (Premium Paper Quality, PCGS) certify that the note has original, unprocessed paper with full embossing and no restoration. It is a separate qualifier that adds value on top of the numeric grade.

How do folds affect the grade?

Folds are the main driver of circulated grades. A single light fold may still be Extremely Fine, several folds push a note to Very Fine or Fine, and heavy multiple folds with limpness drop it to Good or below.

Does centering matter for banknotes?

Yes. Even an Uncirculated note grades higher with even, balanced margins. Poor centering where the design runs close to or off one edge can cap the grade below Gem, just as it does with stamps and coins.

Currency Banknote Grade Reference Tool

Paper money is graded on the same 70-point numeric scale as coins, but the criteria focus on folds, crispness, soiling, and margins rather than wear on metal. This reference lets you look up any grade and read what it means.

How it works

The scale is divided into descriptive tiers, with Uncirculated notes (60+) distinguished from circulated ones by the complete absence of folds:

1 .. 6      Poor / Fair / Good       heavy wear, limp, possible damage
8 .. 10     Very Good                many folds, soiling, but intact
12 .. 15    Fine                     several folds, still some body
20 .. 35    Very Fine                a few folds, light handling
40 .. 45    Extremely Fine           one or two light folds, near-crisp
50 .. 58    About Uncirculated       at most one light fold or corner bend
60 .. 70    Uncirculated             no folds; 70 is gem, perfectly centered

Qualifiers such as EPQ (PMG) or PPQ (PCGS) certify original, unprocessed paper and are noted separately from the number.

Example and notes

A note graded “Very Fine 25” shows a few vertical and horizontal folds and light handling but still has reasonable body and bright colors. Moving up to Extremely Fine 40 means only one or two light folds remain and the note is nearly crisp. The jump from AU-58 to Uncirculated 60 hinges on whether there is any fold at all — a single light center fold keeps an otherwise pristine note out of the Uncirculated tier. Centering and margins separate ordinary Uncirculated notes from Gem 65 and higher.