MS-60 (Mint State Basal) - Coins in this grade are ugly, dinged-up, bag-marked, ill-toned specimens, but they are in mint condition and free of any wear! ...
MS-60 (Mint State Basal) - coins are uncirculated but typically have bag marks, scratches and dings from being produced and shipped in large mints bags.
Some Examples of Graded Coins - Morgan Silver Dollar
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MS-60 This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "60" (the numerical designation of that grade). This is the lowest of the eleven Mint State grades that range from MS60 through MS70.
MS-60
No wear may be present for this grade. Luster must be complete . including on the hi points. Coin may have been dipped at one time, possibly to remove stains or spots, but not to the extent where luster is seriously impaired.
99 1840 MS-60 (PCGS). Lustrous yellow gold with plenty of brilliance on both sides. Some central striking weakness is noted. Considerably rarer in Mint State than even its low business strike mintage of 18,859 pieces indicates.
MS-60 An Uncirculated coin. This coin exhibits no trace of wear but may show a number of detracting contact marks, and the surface may be spotted or lack a brilliant luster. Rims may be nicked. Eye appeal is poor.
An MS-60 coin may have dull luster and numerous contact marks in prime focal areas, as long as there is no wear.
1945-P, MS-60+. 39.50
1945-S, VG-F, (sloping "S"). $6.00
1945-P, LIBERTY WALKING TYPE, Rare Variety, NO "AW" Monogram, Breen 5211, cited it as "Presently Ex. Rare" only 4 reported. From rev. die excessively relapped to remove clash marks.
As we leave the MS-60 to MS-70 Uncirculated category and Proof category, we encounter grade ranges for coins which show wear and other attrition. Business strikes were meant to be used, and used hard. This was their purpose in the scheme of things.
Uncirculated (MS-60) - Has no trace of wear but may show a number of contact marks, and surface may be spotted or lack some luster.
The surfaces of an MS-60 coin will often have what is typically described as a "baggy" look, with a numerous "bag marks" or "hits" of varying sizes depending on the softness of the coin's metal.
Mint State The term corresponding to the numerical grades MS-60 through MS-70, used to denote a business strike coin that never has been in circulation.
Your MS-60 could in fact be an MS-64, and you'll have bought it at MS-60 coin values.
* Expensive coins aren't always interesting or desirable. Your US coin value doesn't depend on how rare or coveted the coin is.
As a batch, if sent to an American grading service, each should come back sealed in plastic and graded as MS-60 or better. The only problem is these coins aren't properly described simply using numerical standards.
While I think that numbers can make a good shorthand for grades, in my opinion such notations as MS-60, MS-63, MS-65, MS-67, and MS-70 have also spawned a large measure of confusion.
Mint state coins vary from MS-60 to MS-70. As I stated earlier, MS-70 is perfect. No blemishes, good strike, great color, and a lot of other really nit picky stuff. Trust me, any coin you have that isn't slabbed isn't MS-70.
In theory we have one grading standard that is used to grade all coins, therefore, any coin graded MS-60 is just like any other coin deserving the same grade, regardless of what type of coin it may be.
When the system was first introduced to Morgan and Peace silver dollars, the intention was for MS-60 to refer to a mint state coin with normal to heavy bagmarks.
An MS-61 coin will be similar in quality to an MS-60 except that it will show fewer marks and/or hairlines. In addition, a coin graded MS-61 will probably have better color and luster than an MS-60. Some will show below average strikes.
Current accepted grading standards provide for a range of un-circulated grades, from the grade of MS-60 to MS-70. MS60 would be a lower grade (yet still) un-circulated coin with normal bag marks for that type of coin.
This corresponds to the numerical grades MS-60 through MS-70, used to denote a business strike coin that never has been in circulation.
For example, in the December, 1986 issue of The Coin Dealer Newsletter, a Mint State (MS) 1880-S silver dollar graded at level 60 (or "MS-60") went for $39; grade MS-63, $80; MS-64, $225; and MS-65, an astounding $500.
In the belief that many coins would grade better than MS-60 but less than MS-63, the ANA approved the use of the grades MS-61 and MS-62.
Uncirculated/Mint State (MS-60)
The coin may have some small nicks and scratches from being in its original bag with other coins, but it has all its color and no trace of being handled.
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65) ...
Both books provide the same basic information about grading coins up to Uncirculated (MS-60) -- and beyond for Lincoln Cents. If you do not know the basic guidelines provided here, you are not even in the game.
But the really good news, go up three grades to MS-60 (Mint-State 60) and the retail value has barely budged at $850! ...
But beginning in February 2003, the service began charging a subscription fee to see pricing for grades above MS-60 -- $96/year, with other subscription plans available. Compared to PCGS Price Guide, pricing is given for more grades.
A mint state coin, valued only at bullion value. An example of a Junk UNC is an MS-60 1964-D Roosevelt Dime.
Term
Description ...
A mint state (MS) grading depends on a coin's luster, contact marks, hair lines and overall appeal. A coin can have a grade ranging from MS-60 (dull luster) to a flawless MS-70.
(US: MS-60)
Uncirculated (Unc): No wear at all, although it is possible for the design not to be fully struck up in the minting process. There may be bag abrasions. Older coins may be tarnished or toned.(US: MS-62 to 65) ...
Originally developed for US Copper but has since been adopted for all other coinage of Canada and the US by both the CNA and ANA. The uncirculated range is from Basic Uncirculated MS-60 (MS Mint State) to Perfect Uncirculated MS-70.
showing no flaws when examined under 5x magnification by an expert. Mint State coins are grading using the full 11 point spectrum from 60 to 70. The most seriously impaired coin that is still technically Mint State will be assigned a grade of MS-60.
 See also: Coin, Grade, Collector, Mint, Grading
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