"A Collector's Guide to Grading Authentic Indian Arrowheads" 

-A guide to aid in the online purchase of authentic ancient North American Points & Knives. 

A 10 Point System for Grading Stone Points and Knives 

A 10 point system for grading arrowheads has been in use by collectors for many years now.  Some criteria for grading are shown below.  Become familiar with this system and practice applying it to make more informed purchases with your money.  Knowledgable sellers have standards.  If a grade for a point is not posted in an auction listing then ask for it.  Learning to apply this system is also the basis for your own comparative study which will help you to better communicate with fellow collectors and help contribute to the fund of human knowledge. 

Grades 1-3: These grades apply to point bases and partial points.  Enough of a point's hafting area must be present in order for it to be readily typed by most collectors.  Some exceptions are rare point types which may grade slightly higher. 

*Note: Grades 3-5 are field grades which constitute the majority of what is commonly recovered.

Grade 4: Partial points that are 50%-60% complete.  Some fine rare point type bases or bases made of semiprecious stones may on occasion be included in this grade. 

Grade 5: Mostly whole points with ancient damage not limited to: broken tips, barbs and bases.  Must be a minimum of 65% complete. 

Grade 6: Good.  Above average in quality.  A minimum of 90% complete.  May be missing the tip, barbs etc..  Hard to find. 

Grade 7: Very Good.  A fairly well flaked point that has good symmetry and is reasonably thin.  May be missing either a tip or a barb.  Difficult to find. 

Grade 8: Fine.  Most often a completely whole point that is: better than average in size with good symmetry.  Well flaked and reasonably thin.  Made of above average quality stone.  Exceptions are professionally restored examples of rare and highly developed collectable types including but not limited to Paleos.  Uncommon and very hard to find. 

Grade 9: Very Fine.  Most often a completely whole point that is significantly larger in size with very good symmetry.  Well flaked and thin.  Made of above average quality stone that may be translucent and/or colorful.  May on occasion have a small defect such as an ancient nick or ding.  Rare and difficult to find. 

Grade 10/Museum Quality: Extremely Fine.  Completely solid and whole.  Large for the type with excellent symmetry.  Very well flaked and thin.  Made of fine stone that may be translucent and/or colorful.  Very rare and exceptionally difficult to find.  A point does not have to be the largest known to make this grade.  One of the very best examples that you could hope to see. 

If you have found this short guide helpful please, acknowledge this by checking the box marked helpful below. 

Thank you and "Enjoy Collecting!"