PMG grades:

Choice Uncirculated 64 - The centering is off on one or two sides. Some handling may be evident but there must be no folds in the design.

Choice Uncirculated 63 - The centering is imperfect and the design may be flat. There may be several flaws but there will be no folds.

Uncirculated 62  The note is strictly uncirculated but may have minor-to-moderate handling and/or corner tip issues. There will be no folds, however. The margins may touch or come into the design.

Uncirculated 61  The note is poorly centered and the margins come into the design. There may be counting marks, smudges or other signs of handling. There will be no folds through the design.

Uncirculated 60  A note with problems that may include toned paper, a small stain or fading. There will be handling issues but there will be no folds through the design.

Choice About Unc 58  Often a note with a single fold that crosses the design.

About Uncirculated 55  This grade is commonly assigned to a note that has one fold or two to three corner folds through the design.

About Uncirculated 53

A note with two vertical folds or a single horizontal fold. May also have signs of handling.

About Uncirculated 50

The note has two heavier folds or light horizontal and vertical folds. The handling can be significant.

Choice Extremely Fine 45

A note with two to three heavy folds, one of which may be horizontal.

Extremely Fine 40

There are three or more folds, one of which may be horizontal.

Choice Very Fine 35

For years dealers and collectors called this grade “VF-XF.” This note looks Extremely Fine, but it will have four to seven light folds.

Very Fine 30

This note will be lightly circulated and may have light soiling. There will typically be seven to ten folds.

Very Fine 25

A note that shows modest evidence of circulation as well as more folds and/or soiling than a note graded 30.

Very Fine 20

The note is moderately circulated with numerous folds, mild soiling. There are no serious detractions but there may be minor defects.

Choice Fine 15

This note may look like a Very Fine note, but upon closer examination it is found to have too many folds or too much circulation to warrant a Very Fine grade.

Fine 12

The evidence of circulation is considerable with rounded corners, margin splits and other issues. The note must be whole with solid paper.

Very Good 10

A solid, whole note with lots of circulation. The note is too limp and has a number of minor problems.

Very Good 8

The note is heavily circulated but is intact. Some small pieces may be missing. Soiling, light stains or splits are common for this grade. The note is limp.

Good 6

The note is very worn with serious splits, fraying of the margins and damage.

Good 4

A very heavily circulated note with numerous problems. It is totally limp with impaired visual appeal. Notes in this grade are commonly seen with pieces missing.