PF ARCHIER SCALE

PF-ARCHIER SCALE

The Indian Standard for Proof Coin Grading

Created by Ujjwal B U Pant, Founder, AINCERT
All India Numismatics Council of Educational Research and Training
Established 30 April 2026

What is the PF-ARCHIER Scale?

The PF-ARCHIER Scale is AINCERT's dedicated grading system for proof coins. It was created alongside the ARCHIER Scale by Ujjwal B U Pant and is the only Indian grading standard specifically designed for proof coinage.

PF stands for Proof. Proof coins are specially struck collector pieces produced with polished dies on burnished planchets, resulting in mirror-like fields and frosted, raised design elements. They are never intended for circulation and require a completely different set of grading criteria from regular circulating coins.

The PF-ARCHIER Scale, like the ARCHIER Scale, operates on a score of 1 to 100. A perfect score of 100 is designated PF-ARCHIER 100, a flawless proof coin.

How the PF-ARCHIER Scale Works

A proof coin is assessed across five criteria specific to proof coinage. Each criterion is scored out of 20.

Criterion 1 is Mirror Field Quality. This assesses the reflectivity of the flat background field surface of the coin. A deep mirror finish scores 20. A bright mirror scores 14. Partial mirroring scores 8. A dull field scores 3.

Criterion 2 is Cameo Contrast. This assesses the contrast between the frosted raised devices and the mirror fields. Deep cameo, meaning maximum contrast, scores 20. Cameo scores 14. Partial cameo scores 8. No cameo at all scores 3.

Criterion 3 is Hairlines and Scratches. This assesses fine lines caused by mishandling or improper cleaning, which are the most common defects on proof coins. No hairlines scores 20. One or two minor hairlines score 14. Several hairlines score 8. Heavy hairlines score 3.

Criterion 4 is Strike Sharpness. This assesses the completeness and detail of the proof strike. A full proof strike scores 20. Slight softness scores 14. Weak areas score 8. A poor strike scores 3.

Criterion 5 is Packaging and Preservation. This assesses whether the original capsule, presentation box and certificate of authenticity are intact. All intact scores 20. Minor damage scores 14. Partial packaging scores 8. Missing packaging scores 3.

PF-ARCHIER Grade Reference Table

PF-ARCHIER 100 represents a perfect score of exactly 100. This is a flawless proof coin, the absolute pinnacle.

PF-ARCHIER MS covers scores from 86 to 100, indicating a Proof Mint State coin that is near perfect.

PF-ARCHIER AU covers scores from 71 to 85, indicating an About Uncirculated proof with only the most minor imperfections.

PF-ARCHIER EF covers scores from 56 to 70, indicating an Extremely Fine proof.

PF-ARCHIER VF covers scores from 41 to 55, indicating a Very Fine proof with minor hairlines.

PF-ARCHIER F covers scores from 26 to 40, indicating a Fine proof with visible hairlines.

PF-ARCHIER FR covers scores from 11 to 25, indicating a Fair proof with heavy hairlines.

PF-ARCHIER P covers scores from 1 to 10, indicating a Poor proof that is heavily damaged.

Proof Coins in Ujjwal's Collection

Ujjwal B U Pant holds several proof coins graded under the PF-ARCHIER Scale, including a sealed 2025 Rajendra Chola I silver proof struck at the Bombay Mint, with a face value of Rs. 1000, weight of 40 grams and purity of 99.9 percent silver. This is among the finest modern Indian commemorative proof coins in existence.

The Relationship Between ARCHIER and PF-ARCHIER

The ARCHIER Scale and PF-ARCHIER Scale are companion systems. The ARCHIER Scale is used for all regular circulating and non-circulating coins. The PF-ARCHIER Scale is used exclusively for proof coins. Together they form AINCERT's complete grading framework, covering the entire spectrum of Indian numismatic output from ancient punch-marked karshapanas to modern collector proof sets.

AINCERT Copyright 2026. PF-ARCHIER Scale is a trademark of AINCERT.
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