Currency Scoring Systems

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An alternative grading standard.  Banknotes are given a score between 66-99.  Some scored notes are available on eBay.


Source:  http://cavecreekcoin-currency.com/guide.html

Currency Scoring Systems

The visual physical attributes of a note, also referred to as " eye appeal " play an important part in determining its desirability and value. However scarce or rare notes with limited availability can and often do command a premium in the lowest circulated grades.

No matter which grading standard you subscribe to inaccurate and inconsistent results pose significant problems. The grading of paper currency is a highly subjective activity and is consistently indicated as the most controversial component of paper money collecting today. In the past few years grading standards seem to have relaxed somewhat. When profit is the grading motive small differences in grade can mean significant differences in value. The activity of grading is highly subjective and so dependent on environmental conditions, such as lighting, that even the most experienced individuals may well grade the same note differently on separate occasions.

Currency Scoring Systems is a viable alternative. While no system is considered perfect we feel our process is accurate, consistent and free of the grading for profit motive. Scoring currency is as simple as it appears. Scoring the detractors in a given piece of currency is a relatively easy activity. However determining the eye appeal is next to impossible. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. Regardless of note type each item begins with a score of 100 points. Deductions are given for any feature of a note that is not in conformity with its as issued condition, such as folds, soiling, adverse toning, etc. Deductions are noted in the scoring label of each items holder. The following scoring definitions and images are presented as a guide only.  

Why 66 to 99? This makes even less sense than the 1-70 system.

Also, how do you make a distinction between "A note that has not been released into general circulation" (99-96) and "A note that has been released into general circulation." (95-91)?  Even unc notes have been realeased into circulation if you think about it. It "circulated" from the printing company to the BofC to some branch of some bank to a teller, then to a collector, then to another collector, and so on, even if it's perfectly preserved as a gem unc note.

This is already a huge source of confusion in the current system where some unknowledgeable sellers list their notes as "uncirculated" based on their assumption that the note has not been out in circulation (whatever that means??) even though this really has nothing to do with the grade of the note which could easily be anything between VF(or lower!!) and Unc, even if the note was originally obtained directly from B of C.

Other than the added flaw of the meaningless distinction between "Uncirculated" and "Circulated" that is made, this system is nothing but the good old Unc, AU, EF... system we're all familliar with but with the intuitive labels replaced by arbitrary numbers.

I still think it's easier just learning to grade properly under the old system.

I agree. Changing the system to a different system would not elevate the problem all together rather maintain the same problem under a new system.