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The grade of Fine also has a wide range, but is easy to define. A coin grades F when there is general heavy wear over the entire surface, with many minor details worn through, and some major details are completely worn through at their highest points.
click on image for enlargement
This denarius illustrates the grade of Fine fairly well, at least on the obverse. Note how the obverse is still a good looking coin, but the laurel wreath is completely worn through on both its top and bottom edge on a horizontal line drawn just above the ear. It is marginal if one should grade this F or gF but with that laurel wreath completely worn through it should not be graded VF. Unfortunately the reverse is weaker than the obverse and can only be graded aF (the over all grade of this coin is F/aF).
This denarius is at the lower end of the Fine grade and should be graded aF. Note how the laurel wreath is worn completely through over much of its length, with only the front most leaves visible above the forehead and the wreath ties at the back. There is still considerable detail remaining in the hair and facial features, but the beard is worn flat. The line between the neck and cheek is still very well defined, as is the line separating the hair from the cheek.
Next page : VERY GOOD | 
