NGC graded commemorative coins

A coin’s condition is one of the most important factors in determining its value. The higher the quality of the coin, the more it's worth. To make it easier for collectors to purchase the best quality coins, a numeric scale from 1 to 70 was developed. Coin collectors quickly embraced this scale for all coin types and it became the industry standard. The slabbed coins that are available at the Royal Dutch Mint, are graded by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company).
 
What is NGC?
NGC, founded in 1987, is an independent company for the grading of coins. The company has a team of very experienced coin graders that authenticate coins and determine its grade. Afterwards, the coin is encapsulated in a secure NGC holder with a label, bearing a description of the coin and its grade. The reviews and gradings of NGC are now trusted by collectors all over the world.
 
Graded coins at Royal Dutch Mint
According to the numeric scale, used by NGC, there are several possible gradings. At the Royal Dutch Mint website you will find golden coins with the following gradings:
 
PF68 – Proof coin with a 68 grading: a very sharply struck coin with only miniscule imperfections.
PF69 – Proof coin with a 69 grading: a fully struck coin with nearly imperceptible imperfections
PF70 – Proof coin with a 70 grading (highest grading): a coin with no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification.
 
The coins also have a Ultra Cameo grading. Ultra Cameo only applies to Proof coins and suggests that the fields of the coin are deeply mirrored and the devices are heavily frosted for bold contrast on both sides of the coin.

To read more about the other gradings please scroll to the bottom of the page.

Numeric scale 1-70
At NGC, the coins are graded based on the numeric scale from 1 to 70, as introduced in 1949 by the numismatist William Sheldon. Below you can find an overview of the different grades in this scale. This will give you a good insight in the quality of the NGC graded coins that can be found on the Royal Dutch Mint website.
 
MS = Mint State. Coins struck in the same format as circulation issues. Applies to grades 60 to 70.
PF = Proof. Coins struck in highest quality for collectors.

MS/PF 70 - A coin with no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification.
MS/PF 69 - A fully struck coin with nearly imperceptible imperfections.
MS/PF 68 - Very sharply struck with only miniscule imperfections.
MS/PF 67 - Sharply struck with only a few imperfections.
MS/PF 66 - Very well struck with minimal marks and hairlines.
MS/PF 65 - Well struck with moderate marks or hairlines.

MS/PF 64 - Average or better strike with several obvious marks or hairlines and other miniscule imperfections.
MS/PF 63 - Slightly weak or average strike with moderate abrasions and hairlines of varying sizes.
MS/PF 62 - Slightly weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More or larger abrasions than an MS/PF 63.
MS/PF 61 - Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. More marks and/or multiple large abrasions.
MS/PF 60 - Weak or average strike with no trace of wear. Numerous abrasions, hairlines and/or large marks.

58 - Slight wear on the highest points of the design. Full details.
55 - Slight wear on less than 50% of the design. Full details.
53 - Slight wear on more than 50% of the design. Full details except for very minor softness on the high points.
50 - Slight wear on more than 50% of the design. Full details except for minor softness on the high points.

45 - Complete details with minor wear on some of the high points.
40 - Complete details with minor wear on most of the high points.
35 - Complete details with wear on all of the high points.
30 - Nearly complete details with moderate softness on the design areas.
25 - Nearly complete details with more softness on the design areas.

20 - Moderate design detail with sharp letters and digits.
15 - Recessed areas show slight softness. Letters and digits are sharp.
12 - Recessed areas show more softness. Letters and digits are sharp.
10 - Wear throughout the design. Letters and digits show softness.
8 - Wear throughout the design. Letters and digits show more softness.

6 - Peripheral letters and digits are full. Rims are sharp.
4 - Peripheral letters and digits are nearly full. Rims exhibit wear.
3 - Most letters and digits are readable. Rims are worn into the fields. 
2 - Some details are visible. Rims are barely visible.
1 - Enough detail to identify the coin's date and type. Rims are flat or nearly flat.