Ticonderoga Erasable Colored Checking Pencils have brilliant non-fading erasable colors. Bring some color to your projects with Ticonderoga pencils and know the fadeless colorTiconderoga pencils each have a number on the side but what do those numbers mean?In America the number on a pencil indicates the degree of hardness or softness of the writing core. The writing core is made from graphite and clay. Great for beginners intermediate or advanced artists!