2016-09-23 Fri

The ANA grading standards lists 21 Mint State grades from 60 to 70 and more recently they have included 10 more + grades from 60 to 69 which are not defined either in writing or in photographs.

Many coins graded MS-63 and -64 20 years ago are MS-65 and -66 now and grades have never reflected sharpness of strike or eye appeal and hence a MS-63 coin is far better than an ugly MS-65 one.

Many specialists collect tokens, medals, Colonial coins, and early coppers and judge them based on their appearance.

You could also review the price of a desired item using the Optimal Collecting Grade plan and determine the coin’s actual worth.

The current A Guide Book of United States Coins gives these prices: MS-63, $475; MS 64, $1,100; and MS-65, $20,000.

You could also opt for cherry-picking your MS 64 graded coins and complete multiple sets. If you want to make sets of MS 65 graded coins then you would have to spend much more for slightly better coins.

Sometimes it is better to not go by numbers, take your own time and enjoy the experience of building your coin sets slowly and meticulously.