European VS American grading

IlikeZARcoins

There seems to be a huge difference between European grades and American grades.

I saw a coin last weekend that was EF but it was in almost perfect condition ( what I would call at least AU ), I've learned a lot of my grading from these threads over the last few months so has my grading become Americanised ? The coins that I send to PCGS to be slabbed were graded how I would normally grade them so I guess that I grade with the American system.

Could someone please explain how European and American grading differ ?

SYRACUSIAN

It's a subjective question, and there are differences between European countries as well,let alone dealers themselves. An stgl can be MS64 but can be MS67 as well, a proof FDC can be PR64 but can also be PR67.

The AU grade does not exist in Europe, it's the biggest scam in numismatics if you ask me.Most AU coins are from good VF (gVF) to gEF, although the latter if coming from a conservative grader can even mean MS62 if not 63, especially in brown copper. Europeans will never consider as gem a brown copper coin,even if MS66, the grade will be determined by the amount of luster accompanying the unc, such as good lustre, excellent lustre, almost full lustre, full lustre ,the latter a full RED coin.

What you need to remember, is that US grades on slabs are not technical, but market grades, therefore they refer to the value of the coin,which is why an MS61 or 62 coin are often good EFs with nice eye appeal that commands a premium, and in the end, that's what counts most, although this is subjective too,I might be more attracted to an AU58 than an MS62 coin, it's really a mess,you can only trust your own eyes, and the more coins you see and grade, the better it is for you.

I'll leave to a more knowledgeable member the task of compiling a comparative table,although I think it's been done and posted before.

cladking

European grading is also stricter than US grading except in the realm of the "no question unc" coins.
These are the only coins that will generally grade unc by most world standards though. XF refers to
virtually all coins between those with a light rub (even sometimes without)(very unattractive uncs can
grade XF) to those with definite wear.

IlikeZARcoins

Wow - AU doesn't exist in European grading. Imagine that !!

Thanks for your input guys.