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UNCIRCULATED: A perfectly preserved note,
never mishandled by the issuing authority, a bank
teller, the public or a collector. Paper is clean and
firm, without discoloration. Corners are sharp and
square, without any evidence of rounding. (Rounded
corners are often telltale sign of a cleaned or
“doctored” note.) An uncirculated note will have its
original natural sheen.
NOTE: Some note issues are most often available
with slight evidence of counting folds (creases).
ABOUT UNCIRCULATED:
A virtually perfect note, with some minor handling. May
show evidence of bank counting folds at a corner or one
light fold through the center, but not both. An AU note
cannot be creased, a crease being a hard fold which has
usually “broken” the surface of a note. Paper is clean
and bright with original sheen. Corners are not rounded.
NOTE: Europeans will refer to an About
Uncirculated or AU note as “EF-UNC” or as just “EF”. The
extremely fine note described below will often be
referred to as “GVF” or “Good Very Fine”.
EXTREMELY FINE: A
very attractive note, with light handling. May have a
maximum of three light folds or one strong crease. Paper
is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners may
show only the slightest evidence of rounding. There may
also be the slightest sign of wear where a fold meets
the edge.
VERY FINE: An
attractive note, but with more evidence of handling and
wear. May have a number of folds both vertically and
horizontally. Paper may have minimal dirt, or possible
color smudging. Paper itself is still relatively crisp
and not floppy. There are no tears into the border area,
although the edges do show slight wear. Corners also
show wear but not full rounding.
FINE: A note which
shows considerable circulation with many folds, creases
and wrinkling. Paper is not excessively dirty, but may
have some softness. Edges may show much handling with
minor tears in the border area. Tears may not extend
into the design. There will be no center hole because of
folding. Colors are clear but not bright. A staple hole
or two would not be considered unusual wear in a Fine
note. Overall appearance is still on the desirable side.
VERY GOOD: A well
used note, abused but still intact. Corners may have
much wear and rounding, tiny nicks, tears may extend
into the design, some discoloration may be present,
staining may have occurred, and a small hole may be seen
at center from excessive folding. Staple and pinholes
are usually present, and the note itself is quite limp
but NO pieces of the note can be missing. A note in VG
condition may still have an overall not unattractive
appearance.
GOOD: A well worn
and heavily used note. Normal damage from prolonged
circulation will include strong multiple folds and
creases, stains, pinholes, and/or staple holes, dirt,
discoloration, edge tears, center hole, rounded corners
and an overall unattractive appearance. No large pieces
of the note may be missing. Graffiti is commonly seen on
notes in Good condition.
FAIR: A totally
limp, dirty and very well used note. Larger pieces may
be half torn off or missing, beside the defects
mentioned under the Good category. Tears will be larger,
obscured portions of the note will be bigger.
POOR: A “rag” with
severe damage because of wear, staining, pieces missing,
graffiti, larger holes. May have tape holding pieces of
the note together. Trimming may have taken place to
remove rough edges.
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