At the most general level, a coin's grade is determined by how worn it is. Various numismatic agencies have gotten together and agreed on a specific set of "wear indicators" for each type of coin that can be used to determine where it falls on the grading scale. One example is the amount of the buffalo's horn that's still visible on an Indian Head nickel - none, half, full, etc.
At lower levels, say G up to XF, those criteria are about all you need. When you get into uncirculated and proof coins, things become a lot more specific (or picky, if you wish!) The grading committees look at things like how sharp the image is, whether there are any scratches from having been bagged at the mint, and other minute details.
Go to your local library and see if they have a copy of James Ruddy's Photograde book. It's considered to be one of the best general references, with pictures of many coins in different states of wear and how that relates to their grades.
Each design has a different set of criteria. You can get a book such as Photograde that shows photos of many coins in different conditions in order to help match the ones you have to specific grading categories.
The grade of a circulated coin is based oc how much wear it has.
A Proof coin is a particular issue of a coin not a grade of condition.
The term "Mint State" refers to the grade of a Uncirculated coin, The grading is not based on the amount of wear a coin has because there is none. It's based on how well the coin has been struck and the number an severity of any contact marks, scratches, rim nicks and scuff marks on the coin.
To get that specific of a grade on a coin, it would need to be professionally graded though a service like PGCS, though a coin dealer in a shop could give an approximate grade.
The mint mark is part of the criteria that determines a coins value along with the date, mintage, grade and condition of the coin
Performance criteria is a guideline used to grade a performance. It is a description of things that must be considered to determine the grade.
The year of any coin does not determine the grade that's judged by how much wear the coin has.
Each design has a different set of criteria. You can get a book such as Photograde that shows photos of many coins in different conditions in order to help match the ones you have to specific grading categories.
Determine how many were minted, when and where and the numismatic grade and, last but not least, the availability of the coin for purchase
Depending on the the condition of the coin the worth of the penny will vary.Ê The current value of the coin varies from $36.00 to $950.00 and determing the value the grade of the coin will determine the value of the coin.
Criteria determine what records can be shown, not what fields can be shown, so the AND criteria cannot be used to determine what fields to select.
It's hard even for some experienced collectors to grade a coin at this level. To date, very few have been certified at MS-68 and none have been graded higher. If you think you have a coin that will grade MS-68, send it in to a third-party grading service. The criteria required for a MS-68 coin is very subjective.
A Proof coin is a particular issue of a coin not a grade of condition.
The grade of a circulated coin is based oc how much wear it has.
The grade that I get on this test will determine my final grade for this semester of class.
By looking for wear. In practice, it doesn't matter what grade your silver eagle is, it will simply sell for bullion. The only thing to look is if your coin is proof or bullion. A proof coin will have mirror-like fields where you can see yourself like a mirror. An uncirculated coin may look shiny but it won't be nearly as shiny as a proof.