Fractional Currency Grading Survey Results
SITE MAP

This grading survey was originally published in 2000, with a total of 40 respondents. Included in the respondent list were some of the most well-known Fractional Currency Dealers and Collectors today. It has been since modified to also include the responses from dealers and collectors from the Currency Forum

The results, by percentage, are as shown below.

1.  An otherwise Gem Crisp Uncirculated Note has a tiny edge nick along the lower margin. This note should be graded as:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 2.5%
  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated with annotation regarding the edge nick- 55%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 37.5%
  • About Uncirculated- 5.0%

2. An otherwise Gem New Experimental Fractional Note appears to have an old dealer's code notation in pencil on the reverse. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem New- 9%
  • Gem New Uncirculated with annotation regarding the mark- 66%
  • Choice New- 14%
  • About Uncirculated- 11%

3. An otherwise unflawed Fractional Note shows predominant aging across both sides of the note. The aging is uniform in color. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 9%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 45%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 41%
  • About Uncirculated- 5%

4. A lightly circulated Fractional Note has severely oxidized bronze surcharges, which have changed to a dark forest green color. This note should be graded as:

  • About Uncirculated- 51%
  • Extra Fine- 41%
  • Very Fine- 6%
  • Uncollectible- 2%

5. An otherwise Gem Crisp Uncirculated Note has two ample margins and two very large margins. This note should be graded:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 45%
  • Very Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 41%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 12%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 2%

6. An otherwise Very Fine Counterfeit Fractional Note suffers from numerous internal splits, probably due to inferior paper quality. This note should be graded as:

  • Very Fine- 10%
  • Very Fine with annotations regarding the splitting- 32.5%
  • Fine- 10%
  • Very Good- 20%
  • Good- 22.5%
  • Fair- 5%

7. An otherwise Crisp Uncirculated Note presents with a missing corner tip, about 1/8 of an inch across. This note should be graded as:

  • Crisp Uncirculated- 26%
  • About Uncirculated- 45%
  • Extra Fine- 22%
  • Very Fine- 2%
  • Fine- 5%

8. A Wide Margin Proof Note presents as a Gem Note sample, but has a corner fold along the upper margin, not coming close to the design. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem New- 10%
  • Choice New- 50%
  • New- 20%
  • About Uncirculated- 20%

9. A Narrow Margin Specimen Note presents as a Gem New sample on the front of the note. The back of the note shows glue and paper remnants from its previous mounting on a Fractional Shield. The note should be graded:

  • Gem New- 2%
  • Choice New- 46%
  • New- 24%
  • About Uncirculated- 28%

10. An otherwise Choice Crisp Uncirculated Note bears severe glue remnants on the back of the note from a previous album mounting. The note should be graded as:

  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 0%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated with an annotation of the mounting- 29%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 21%
  • About Uncirculated- 18%
  • Extra Fine- 8%
  • Very Fine- 14%
  • Fine- 10%

11. An otherwise Gem Crisp Uncirculated First Issue Perforated Fractional Note presents with trimmed perforations along two margins. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 5%
  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated with annotation regarding perforations- 45%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 32%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 15%
  • About Uncirculated- 3%

12. An otherwise Gem Crisp Uncirculated Second Issue Fractional Note offers very blurred, almost unreadable, reverse surcharges. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 41%
  • Very Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 31%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 10%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 18%

13. A hand-signed Fractional Note shows browning of the paper on the back of the note at Spinner's signature. Otherwise, the note is Gem Crisp Uncirculated. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 30%
  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated with annotation regarding the paper- 59%
  • Very Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 2%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 2%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 7%

14. A Fractional Note presents as Choice Crisp Uncirculated. There is a pinhole in the upper right corner. This note should be graded as:

  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 25%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 45%
  • Choice About Uncirculated- 20%
  • About Uncirculated- 10%

15. A Fractional Note presents as a Gem Crisp Uncirculated sample. Closer inspection reveals that the margins have been trimmed. All margins are now tight, but equal. The note should be graded as:

  • Gem Crisp Uncirculated- 13%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 37%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 29%
  • About Uncirculated- 17%
  • Very Fine- 2%
  • Uncollectible- 2%

16. A Fessenden Fractional Note presents as Choice Crisp Uncirculated. There is bold black inkbed smearing down the left margin of the back of the note. The note should be graded as:

  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated- 10%
  • Choice Crisp Uncirculated with annotation regarding the smearing- 12.5%
  • Crisp Uncirculated- 67.5%
  • Choice About Uncirculated- 2.5%
  • About Uncirculated- 2.5%