Understanding the Grading of Mint State Coins

Surface Preservation: 60%

The first category is surface preservation, and it carries the most amount of weight when determining the Mint State grade of a coin. Numismatists define it as the number of imperfections or flaws that are on the surface of the coin. These imperfections are not the result of the coin circulating in commerce but are caused during the manufacturing process when handling and moving the coins around the mint.

Handling coins during the production process can result in the following imperfections on the surface of the coin:

• Bag marks resulting from the movement and handling of coins in bins or large bags
• Scrapes, dings, small scratches during the manufacturing process
• The larger the coin, the more bag marks and deeper bag marks on the surface of the coin
• Older/classic collectible coins may have friction or slider marks from being stored in old wooden coin cabinets
• Light friction on the highest points of the design is acceptable as long as this resulted from handling in mint bags or bins. Caution: This should not be confused with circulation friction on the highest points of the coin's design.

The level of surface preservation can be divided into six categories as follows:

• Poor (MS-60 to MS-61) heavy marks and scratches over the entire surface
• Fair (MS-61 to MS-62) numerous marks and scratches but not so heavy and concentrated, maybe a few toned spots
• Average (MS-63 to MS-64) noticeable marks scattered across the surface of the coin but not as heavy nor deep or numerous hairline scratches
• Choice (MS-65 to MS-66) minimal marks that are scattered, none of them deep nor obtrusive
• Gem (MS-67 to MS-69) a few trivial marks that are shallow and not obtrusive when looking at the coin. Some may be only observable under magnification
• Gem Perfect (MS-70) no marks or imperfections are visible on the surface of the coin, even under magnification.

Strike: 15%

The next category that is used to determine the grade of a Mint State coin is the quality of the strike. A well-struck coin from new coin dies will exhibit the most delicate details of the design in all areas on the coin. A poorly struck coin will be missing details in the highest regions of the design or have mushy design characteristics across the entire surface. Additionally, poorly struck coins also exhibit week rims around the edge of the coin. Be careful not to confuse a poorly struck uncirculated coin with a coin that is missing details because of circulation wear.

The following two variables determine the quality of the strike:

1. Die State
   A coin die can be used to strike 100,000 or more coins in its useful life. As the coin die is striking a coin planchet, the metal on the coin die starts to wear and fatigue. This results in the coins that are struck at the end of their useful life exhibiting poor details. Additionally, a coin die may have some imperfections from the manufacturing process. These imperfections will be reproduced on every coin that is struck by that die.
2. Striking Pressure
   The pressure used to strike a coin in the coining press has the most significant effect on the quality of the strike. The more pressure that is used to strike a coin results in better details on the struck coin. However, the coin dies will wear out faster and have to be replaced sooner. Additionally, if the coin dies are spaced too far apart, the coin will not strike up properly. If the planchet is too thin or is made out of a hard metal (such as nickel) the coin may not strike up properly.

Luster: 15%

The mint luster on a coin gives it the beautiful cartwheel effect that uncirculated coins are known for. Luster is the result of the high pressure used in striking a coin when the metal moves into the lower recesses of the die. This minting process forms microscopic striations across the entire surface of the coin and will reflect the light from the surface of the coin at varying angles.

The poor luster on the surface of a coin can result from weak striking pressure, poor storage conditions (such as moisture or harsh environmental conditions), or excessive cleaning/dipping of a coin in a mild acid to remove surface toning.

Eye Appeal: 10%

The most subjective part of grading Mint State coins is the character known as "eye appeal." Eye appeal is the overall appearance of a coin to a collector. Copper and silver are the most reactive metals that coins are made out from. Over time they may develop a patina or toning over the coin's surface.

Dark and ugly toning will detract from the grade that your Mint State coin will receive. Bright colors that are attractive or have a rainbow effect will result in a higher Mint State grade. Unfortunately, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what may be beautiful to one coin collector may be ugly to another.

Toning on older coins may also indicate that the coin has not been cleaned or dipped since it was minted. For example, a 150-year-old silver coin should not be bright and gleaming just as the day it came off the coining press. However, new and modern coins should have bright and brilliant color to them.