The influence of weathering, mechanical damage and other classes of external depreciations on soybean seeds was studied. Incidence of necrosis of the cotyledons, low germination and vigor are closely related to different forms of depreciations on the surface of the seed. Mechanical damage which was the most common type of depreciation caused the seed to decrease in germination. Necrosis in the cotyledons was found to be very closely related to stink bug attack, depressions and cracked seed. Apparently sound seed and those showing seed coat mottling or purple stain were those that gave the best results in the germination tests.