EF vs XF

howards

Does anybody know why PCGS chose to use XF instead of EF for Extremely Fine grades?
ANA grading standards, which I know may not be relevant, use EF.

Is there a deeper reason than "arbitrary decision?"

Insider2

"E" comes before "X." in Extremely Fine?

ChangeInHistory

That came a long while back on these forums. I don't recall what the consensus or reasoning was, but I've always used XF.

Insider2

I'm going to guess that the words Extra Fine gradually crept into use over time as a "shorthand."

I found Extremely Fine used in 1892.
I found Extra Fine used in 1928.
Extremely Fine used in 1945 Numismatist.

In some grading systems, EF or XF was not even a grade. Coins went from VF to Uncirculated. I believe the British translated our VF to Extremely Fine.

If you can find a copy of Gading Coins: A collection of readings, you can trace some of my sources.

Anyway, EF and XF are the same to me. If you really wish to blow your mind, think about this. In my lifetime there was no AU grade. EF coins looked like today's AU-55 to AU-58's!

AmazonX

It's trying to be the "x-mas" of coin terminology.

BUFFNIXX

It treally does not matter. XF is an older designation that many use, EF and XF are used interchangeably with no loss of meaning. I remember one old time dealer who used the grade XG for extra good, which was another way for saying about fine. It worked quite well as you knew exactly what you were getting with a coin graded XG.

PerryHall

@AmazonX said:
It's trying to be the "x-mas" of coin terminology.

.....except there is no Santa Claus in coin collecting.

ricko

EF, XF... etc... All are relative to the individual appraising the coin... Cheers, RickO

BillJones

XF ... EF ... It means the same thing to me, but I prefer "EF."

koynekwest

I've always used "XF."

logger7

"X" is more impressive than "E".

JJSingleton

It seems everyone understands the meaning so it does not matter. Not the case with "first strike".

TommyType

I prefer VF++*.

But seriously, it's just a Po-TA-toe vs. Po-TAH-toe thing.

CommemKing

Samesies.

WinLoseWin

Those who use "X" are hooked on phonics.

ECHOES

@koynekwest said:
I've always used "XF."

+1

TitusFlavius

I generally stick to EF, per the ANA grading standards, but conversationally an XF or two will slip in.

RogerB

"XF" is alliterative abbreviation for "Extra Fine."
"EF" has traditionally been the abbreviation for "Extremely Fine" and in long-standing use.

However, "XF" is occasionally found in old letters/documents and seems to live in the same context as "Xmass" is to "Christmas." Longhand letter writers often inserted abbreviations even for common words. "The" can sometimes be found written as a lower case "h" with a line through the upright.

ms70

Probably because an X is easier to write than an E.

AmazonX

@ms70 said:
Probably because an X is easier to write than an E.

HEY! X is my signature.

howards

Most of you guys are missing the point of my original question when you say that EF and XF are the same thing. I know that.

The question was if anyone knows why PCGS chose XF over the ANA guideline of EF.

PatAR

I do not know why PCGS chose it.

However, I can speculate as to a possible benefit for a TPG or dealers in general. Namely, when written the two terms EF and XF are easily discerned and their meaning is clear. However, when spoken at a noisy coin show or in a dimly lit room in a TPG grading area the term EF (ee-ef) might be confused with similar sounding VF (vee-ef) while the pronunciation of XF (ex-ef) is readily differentiated.

My $0.02.

Insider2

Perhaps because Extra Fine takes up less space on a label. Perhaps because Mr. Hall chose to. ! cannot think of anything else.

ms70

@howards said:
Most of you guys are missing the point of my original question when you say that EF and XF are the same thing. I know that.

The question was if anyone knows why PCGS chose XF over the ANA guideline of EF.

Like I said above- When they have to write it by hand, everyone is too lazy to write an E. It takes much less effort to make an X.