Paper Money Grading Scale Basics
Paper money is graded on a 1–70 scale. Higher numbers mean the note is closer to how it looked when it left the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (or the issuing authority). But the number isn’t magic—it’s a shorthand for the story your note is telling through wear.
What the 1–70 scale actually means
Think of the scale as three big zones: “circulated” (visible use), “about uncirculated” (nearly new), and “uncirculated” (no meaningful wear). Most confusion comes from people over-weighting one detail—like a tiny corner bump—and ignoring the overall body language of the paper.
| Zone | Typical range | What you usually see |
|---|---|---|
| Rag | 1–8 | More folds then you can count. The note has no body. Multiple stains, holes, missing pieces, fading, is very common. You may not be able to tell what type of note it is. Very fragile. |
| Heavily Circulated | 10–25 | Weak body. Stains and pinholes are common. Known as low grade. 20 folds are common. Medium note body. |
| Circulated | 30–45 | Multiple folds/creases, handling, softer paper, possible minor stains or edge wear. |
| About Uncirculated | 50–58 | Light handling, few folds, better paper integrity, still “close to new.” |
| Uncirculated | 60–70 | No folds, crisp paper, sharp corners, strong eye appeal; small counting flicks can exist. |
The 3 things that move the grade the fastest
- Folds/creases: more folds usually means a lower ceiling, even if the note “looks nice.”
- Paper quality: crispness and body vs. limpness and softness from handling.
- Eye appeal: centering and overall presentation—what a buyer feels in one second.
Why your estimate can still be “right” without being perfect
The purpose of LearnToGrade isn’t to replace third-party grading—it’s to help you avoid obvious mistakes: overpaying for a note that’s clearly circulated, or under-valuing a note that’s genuinely high-end.
If you want, the next post will break down folds (including what counts as a fold vs. a bend) using a simple 60-second inspection routine.