Quick Guide

Chemical Symbols:

Au – Gold

Ag – Silver

Pt – Platinum

Pd – Palladium

Fineness

.999 and .9999 = 24 k = pure

.9167 = 22 k

.900 = 21.6 k

.750 = 18 k

.5833 (.585) = 14 k

.500 = 12 k

.417 = 10 k

Common Alloys

“coin silver” = .900 fine silver – pre 1965 US dimes, quarters, half dollars and classic silver dollars as well as some other countries’ old coinage

“sterling silver” = .925 fine silver – commonly found in silver jewelry and flatware

“Britannia silver” = .958 fine silver

“crown gold” = 22k gold with copper alloy

“dental gold” is typically 16 k gold (.667 fine)

Modern Gold Bullion typically comes .999/.9999 or 22k gold. Modern silver bullion typically comes .999/.9999.

Old World gold is typically .900 fine gold and 22k gold

Pre 1933 Classic US Gold comes in .900 fine gold

Grading

Poor 1 (P)

Fair 2 (Fr)

Almost Good 3 (AG)

Good 4, G 6

Very Good 8, VG 10

Fine 12, F 15

Very Fine 20, VF 25, VF 30, VF 35

Extremely Fine 40, XF 45

Almost Uncirculated 50, AU 53, AU 55, AU 58

Uncirculated: Mint State 60-70

Choice Uncirculated: MS 63+

Gem Uncirculated: MS 65+

Weight conversions

1 troy oz = 31.1033 grams

1 troy oz = 20 pennyweight (dwt)

1 troy oz = 480 grains

1 avdp oz = 28.3495 grams

1 troy pound = 12 troy oz

1 Kilogram (1000 grams) = 32.15 troy oz