The American Numismatic Association commissioned a panel of professional numismatists to define each coin grade using the Sheldon scale of coin grading as their basis. Here are the official ANA grading definitions as defined by the ANA and published in “The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins.” Mint State graded coins are judged on four criteria:
Contact Marks: The small nicks and abrasions found on the surface of a coin resulting from the handling and manufacturing process.Hairlines: Small minute scratches across the surface of a coin usually resulting from coming in contact with a cloth or some other material that is slightly abrasive.Luster: This is the sheen on the surface of a newly minted coin. When rotated under a single light source, the light will spin and dance across the surface of the coin.Eye Appeal: This is the overall look of the coin. It is how all the other aspects of a coin come together to give it either that eye-popping and take your breath away look or the feeling of a common uncirculated coin with nothing special about its looks.
Contact Marks: None show under magnification. Hairlines: None show under magnification. Luster: Very attractive. Fully original. Eye Appeal: Outstanding. Also Known As: Mint State 70, MS70, Perfect Uncirculated
Contact Marks: 1 or 2 minuscule. None in prime focal areas. Hairlines: None visible. Luster: Very attractive. Fully original. Eye Appeal: Exceptional. Also Known As: Mint State 69, MS69, Choice Gem Uncirculated, Superb Gem Uncirculated, Superb Gem Brilliant Uncirculated, CH GEM BU, CH GEM UNC, Superb GEM BU
Contact Marks: 3 or 4 minuscule. None in prime focal areas.Hairlines: None visible.Luster: Attractive. Fully original.Eye Appeal: Exceptional.Also Known As: Mint State 68, MS68, Choice Gem Uncirculated, Superb Gem Uncirculated, Superb Gem Brilliant Uncirculated, CH GEM BU, CH GEM UNC, Superb GEM BU
Contact Marks: 3 or 4 minuscule. 1 or 2 may be in prime focal areas.Hairlines: None visible without magnification. Luster: Above average. Nearly full original. Eye Appeal: Exceptional.Also Known As: Mint State 67, MS67, Choice Gem Uncirculated, Superb Gem Uncirculated, Superb Gem Brilliant Uncirculated, CH GEM BU, CH GEM UNC, Superb GEM BU
Contact Marks: Several small; a few may be in prime focal areas.Hairlines: None visible without magnification.Luster: Above average. Fully original.Eye Appeal: Above average.Also Known As: Mint State 66, MS66, Gem Uncirculated, GEM BU, GEM UNC
Contact Marks: Light and scattered without major distracting marks in prime focal areas. Hairlines: May have a few scattered. Luster: Above average. Fully original. Eye Appeal: Very pleasing. Also Known As: Mint State 65, MS65, Gem Uncirculated, GEM BU, GEM UNC
Contact Marks: May have light scattered marks; a few may be in prime focal areas Hairlines: May have a few scattered or a small patch.Luster: Average.Eye Appeal: Quite attractive.Also Known As: Mint State 64, MS64, Choice Uncirculated, CH BU, CH UNC
Contact Marks: May have distracting marks in prime focal areas.Hairlines: May have a few scattered or a small patch.Luster: May be slightly impaired.Eye Appeal: Rather attractive.Also Known As: Mint State 63, MS63, Choice Uncirculated, CH BU, CH UNC
Contact Marks: May have distracting marks in prime focal areas and/or secondary areas. Hairlines: May have a few scattered or a noticeable patch. Luster: May be somewhat impaired. Eye Appeal: Generally acceptable. Also Known As: Mint State 62, MS62, Uncirculated, UNC, BU, Brilliant Uncirculated, Beautiful Uncirculated
Contact Marks: May have a few heavy (or numerous light) marks in prime focal and/or secondary areas.Hairlines: May have a noticeable patch or continuous hairlining over surfaces.Luster: May be impaired.Eye Appeal: Unattractive.Also Known As: Mint State 61, MS61, Uncirculated, UNC, BU, Brilliant Uncirculated, Beautiful Uncirculated
Contact Marks: May have heavy marks in all areas. Hairlines: May have a noticeable patch or continuous hairlining overall. Luster: Often impaired. Eye Appeal: Poor. Also Known As: Mint State 60, MS60, Uncirculated, UNC, BU, Brilliant Uncirculated, Beautiful Uncirculated
While the preceding guidelines will undoubtedly prove useful to the reader, it is strongly advised that viewing actual coins in the marketplace will enable you to better determine grading practices affecting the series which interest you most. For example, the collector of Morgan silver dollars would do well to examine Morgans graded by a variety of services and sellers in order to determine in general what is considered to be MS-63, MS-64, MS-65, and higher grades. Coins minted prior to 1836 often show minor weaknesses or friction spots even though they may never have been used in circulation. Such coins are often graded as Mint State rather than About Uncirculated when they have superior eye appeal, luster, strike, or appearance. Reproduced with permission from “The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins,” 6th edition, © 2005 Whitman Publishing, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
