Clear details of folding or creases on circulated notes can be clearly seen when held at slanting eye level against the light. Criterion for grading currency notes are classified under 9 grades as follows:
Uncirculated ( UNC )
A perfect note which had been well preserved and apparently not released out for circulation. Such UNC notes are firm with sharp clean edges and corners. The color should be original and without finger print marks.
About Uncirculated ( AU )
AU notes may have gone into circulation as evidenced by slight counting folds on the surface, but still well preserved with minimal defects. The note still look new with the surface being clean and smooth. There should be no visible signs of folding and creases.
Extremely Fine ( EF )
EF notes have gone through circulation but still in cleanly preserved maintaining the original sharp corners and without discoloration on the surface. Exremely fine grade criterion is not more than 3 light folds; or just allowed to have 1 serious fold impact.
Very Fine ( VF )
VF notes are still considered attractive although they have gone through horizontal and vertical folding as well as rough handling in circulation. There can be some dirty marks or stains, but the note must still retains the original firmness and texture. The corners will look slightly crumpled, but not torn.
Fine ( F )
Fine notes are wrinkled with numerous folds and creases, have dirty marks and minor tear at the edges. Design features of the note is still clear,but the color is less bright. One or two pinholes may appear near the border.
Very Good ( VG )
VG notes texture still look fine but the corners are slightly out of shape. The note is less firm, disclored and has some dirty stains. Usually a small hole will appear in the note center point due to numerous folding both horizontally and vertically. The note surface is not smooth with minor notch.
Good ( G )
The appearance condition of Good note is poor, dirty, have stains, pinholes, discolored, torn edges and rounded corners, center hole, and even visible cases of graffiti. Such notes had been roughly used with numerous severe folds here and there.
Fair ( FA )
The note condition is soft, dirty and torn with some portion missing.
Poor ( P )
Such ( P ) condition notes are almost beyond recognition from the original feature with severe tear and wear, stains, graffiti, large holes and missing portions. Transparent tapes are also being used to fixed back torn pieces.
