In essence, the “70” grade is a perfectly faultless note. It will be an original specimen possessing all four margins that are broad and absolutely even, containing sharp corners, vivid colors, marvelous eye appeal, and literally perfect paper quality with no hint of any fault whatsoever. It is possible that only the most modern, just-printed notes will accomplish this grade, and even then it will be extremely rare.

To the unaided eye and at first glimpse, this note appears to be as faultless as the New 70 with absolutely no handling. However, after careful inspection under 5x magnification, minor blemishes are visible. These might be that margins are minutely off center and traces of some minute handling imperfections e.g. crinkling of the note.

This note as good as and closely resembles the 69. Nevertheless, there are slightly more noticeable handling issues in this than in the 69. Some minor flaws are visible to the unaided eye. These are slightly off-center margins, a tiny wrinkle on the paper, a mark obtained while packaging and/or an inadvertent ink stain.

This constitutes the highest grade possible for most note series. It contains broad margins though the centering is a bit off-center, minor handling marks and tiny flaws but these seem well above average to the naked eye.

Again, here too, the centering of the note will be above average…in fact, it is of better-quality to an average note. Basically, if the rest of the banknote is without any major blemish, but with ample tighter margins – these are acceptable. And, there will be indication of a little more handling than the 67.

At a cursory glance, the faults and blemishes on this note do not distract from its visual appeal. It is a great quality banknote displaying obvious and many imperfections pertaining to crinkles, bent edges, stains from fingers and minor corner rounding’s obtained due to repeated counting, The above average centering permit this note to be well received if its margins are broad. Even if carving and designing are present, this note will not attain the Paper Quality level if its originality cannot be decided. Alternatively, a Superb note without any embossing or one that is pressed flat or without any folds or bends may obtain a 65 grade.

In these notes, the centering is definitely off on both sides of the note. Additionally, some or all corners may have folds or have lost their sharpness. Considerable handling can be noticed immediately. This is evident showcasing problems of packing and frequent counting that has resulted in minor folds in corners but which does not enter the design of the note.

This is a new note without any folds or bends, thus indicating little or no circulation Quality of paper and eye appeal will be above average. There may be one or two folds in the note. However, crinkles due to counting or other handling marks such as pinching and frayed corners are generally acceptable, but these are not present in the design of the note, which effectively means that the note should not contain these minor defects along the full span of the note. Besides, a couple of pinholes may also be present in the note. This grade is given to notes that originally appear of Gem New quality but consist of flat surfaces.

The centering in this note is completely off. Several blemishes make it an out of choice category. Corners will not be smooth containing severe bruising and creasing. Partial bending and folding is likely. If there is any fold in the entire span of the note, it will not be classified in this category.

Notes that consist of a combination of faults are in this group. Some of the faults may be severe e.g. paper toning, handling and counting marks, smears of ink, pinholes, and corner folds that do not reach the design. It will also be poorly centered. All these prevent it from reaching a higher grade.

This is usually an unattractive note. Similar problems that occur in the Uncirculated 62 and New 61 are present in this note but with more severity. These may include loss of colour, paper toning, minor foxing, flat and inert paper, pinholes and small staining spots.

This represents a note with a single fold at the center that goes right across the design. Other details that assist in grading this note are clear folds in the corner or with worn edges, clearly indicating that it has been well circulated.

This is easy to detect as it will have one central fold and more than one corner fold. All these folds will enter the design.

A note that is of an intermediate grade above the 50 but does not quite reach the 55; this note will have at least one heavy groove or fold. However, it may include all the other qualities of an uncirculated note. Or, it might contain corner folds and light bends that do not allow it from reaching a higher grade.

Any note that has a distinctly heavy and damaged center fold as well as two moderate vertical folds will be categorized here. The note can also contain a horizontal or vertical fold with heavy corner folds. Anything heavier than moderate and the note will be considered at a lower level.

This note is vivid, clean, crisp and eye-catching containing a few light folds or many light bends. Above average eye appeal is present but with a visibility of slight soiling. Additionally, there may be a few light folds or several tiny bends or a couple of vertical creases,

It is essentially a note of a lower category than the Extremely Fine 45 with three or more folds, one of which may be horizontal. It may also contain some light bends or pinholes that are not overly conspicuous and proceed to distract from the design.

This grade of note marginally misses the Extremely Fine 40 grade due to its additional light folds; about 5 to 7 of them. It has great eye appeal and is above average for a Very Fine note.

A note that has been circulated lightly and therefore, consists of a bit of soiling. The paper is bright, retains its colour and the note must be crisp to touch. This grade note have 8 to 10 folds.

This is basically a note with primarily bright and solid paper with some signs of light handling and soiling due to its circulation. These mutilations of heavier staining and toning through heavy folds have resulted in the paper losing its crispness.

Beginning to show obvious signs of circulation with numerous folds , worn and folded corners, this note has just enough body to prevent it from being categorised an VF 15. If the note is held against the light, one can see several pinholes; the corners are frayed or a bit rounded.

This note looks as if of a very fine grade until and unless it is examined closely. Then, too many folds and a slight splitting resulting from a lot of circulation can be noticed. Paper quality has also deteriorated a bit.

Spending a lot of time in circulation, this note has rounded corners and edges that show splitting and fraying.

It is a solid note showing a lot of circulation and due to this, it has become limp. It also contains a lot of minor problems including heavy staining and many heavy folds.

A note of this grade is worn extensively and has slightly rounded corners and, frayed edges as well as margins that are rough including some wallet staining. Due to the extensive circulation, the note will be limp.

This note has major damages such as heavy wear and tear, a tiny missing piece from the edge or an internal hole. There could also be a combination of minor damage with staining.

Basically intact, this note will have its colour fading, no eye appeal and completely limp. This could be due to very heavy circulation. Some minor pieces of the note will be missing and this will extend into the design as well.