Australian Silver Coins| the beginners’ guide to Australian silver coins

As a beginner in any hobby, the jargon can be a little confusing.  Collecting Australian silver coins is no different.  There are many terms used to describe both the quality and physical characteristics of coins.  If you’re not aware what these terms mean, your head can end up spinning in no time.

In the first part of our glossary, let’s look at the jargon related to coin quality (grading).  This list is arranged in decreasing order of quality.

• Fleur de Coin (FDC):  Literally translates as “flower of the die”.  This is the highest grade of coin.  As you would expect, everything should be perfect - the design sharp (due to the quality of the strike) with absolutely no signs of wear and certainly no marks.  While the coins should still have their original luster, it is acceptable for silver coins to have a patina.  This term can describe both proof and circulated coins.  Very, very rare.
• Gem Uncirulated:  Again the strike should be excellent, although a slight amount of die wear is acceptable.  Any marks should be negligible.  Mint luster should still be evident, although a patina on silver coins is acceptable.  This is probably the best quality coin us mere mortals would ever have the good fortune of seeing.
• Choice Uncirculated (CHU):  A very good strike should be evident, although some wear is acceptable.  Marks should be insignificant and a high degree of luster should be evident.
• Uncirulated (UNC):  The strike on these coins will be of a much lesser quality, for example finer details of the design may not be thoroughly reproduced.  Marks are acceptable but not excessive.
• Almost Uncirculated (aUNC):  As opposed to the uncirculated grades above, these coins may show very minimal wear due to handling (circulation), particularly on the higher points of the design.  Other aspects of this grade are on a par with UNC.
• Extremely Fine (EF):  Shows slightly more wear due to handling, usually hardly visible.  It can sometimes be difficult to determine if this level of wear is due to handling or a weak strike.
• Very Fine (VF):  Shows definite signs of wear, although the design should still be sharp and clear.  Marks are more visible, particularly around the rim of the coin.
• Fine (F):  Most of the fine parts of the design have been worn away due to circulation.  This coins has seen a great deal of handling.
• Very Good (VG):  Shows significant wear, although the design is still visible.  Virtually all the fine detail will be gone.

Part II of the glossary will cover more general jargon used in the world of coin collecting.

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