BANKNOTE MONEY 15
The condition of every detail.
Reading a scale requires its reference and the description accompanying each grade.
Project in preparation. Services are not yet available for contracting. Requests and certificate issuance are disabled.
Do not send physical specimens before the service opens and you receive specific acceptance and dispatch instructions.
Uncirculated
Commonly describes a note without evidence of circulation; handling, manufacture and paper originality require separate attention.
Extremely Fine
Generally indicates limited circulation with some folds or handling. The precise threshold depends on the standard used.
Very Fine
Usually describes more evident handling and folds while much of the original detail remains readable.
Fine
Typically indicates more sustained circulation and wear. Damage, repairs and alterations still need to be described separately.
Condition descriptions record handling, folds, wear and alterations. Conservation treatment requires advice appropriate to the actual object.
Abbreviations are not universal equivalents
UNC, EF, VF and F appear in condition references. Numerical systems and organisation-specific qualifiers may use their own criteria. Do not convert one scale into another or grade a specimen from an editorial illustration.
Describe before abbreviating
Describe verifiable folds, wear, stains, tears, losses and interventions. The educational scale is not an approved Banknote commercial methodology; a grade alone establishes neither price nor authenticity.
Educational references
Explore the library
Explore the library ↗Condition and conservation
Describe the specimen rather than assigning an abbreviation alone.
Read the guide24 ↗Build knowledge before a collection.
Organising a collection preserves the relationship between each specimen, its description and its records.
Read the guide04 ↗Examination and assessment
Observe substrate, printing and interventions, stating the conditions and limitations of the examination.
Read the guide