AU VS MS60

CoinNovice

This has probably been discussed multiple times, and has come up multiple times.
I am new to learning about grading coins, no where near being able to grade them myself
or even guess about a grade.
But, The one question that comes up multiple times in my mind,
why does AU56 or higher, sell more than an MS61 or even MS62?
am i missing something?

Smudge

Depends on the AU. Sometimes it will just have a touch of wear to knock it out of MS and otherwise be very clean. Those are the AU's to look for and they can be far more attractive than a baggy 60-62.

TitusFlavius

While a coin with any wear will have a lower technical grade than a coin without wear, the higher AU grades usually have positive eye appeal, and are more attractive than the lower MS grades (which can have issues such as impaired luster, weak strike, or unattractive toning/spotting). The market will sometimes value the attractive AU coin higher than bottom-end MS examples, especially if truly attractive examples are rare for the particular issue.

BillDugan1959

@Smudge You are very gentlemanly, almost diplomatic.

Lots of times, high end AU beats low end MS.

P0CKETCHANGE

@CoinNovice said:
I am new to learning about grading coins, no where near being able to grade them myself
or even guess about a grade.

If this is the case, might I recommend the Grading 101 videos on our host's YouTube?

Kkathyl

Think about the grade as 2 part. MS means no wear on surfaces and looks like the cartwheel all good and such. But if it was in a bag or stored and has bag marks and dings. Might have ugly appearance and weak strike so. Collectors for many coins will pay more for a AU58 then MS 61.
MS 61 could have dings marks and poor rims. Count the scratches or ding on a MS and light strike and numbers go down. Here is example

These Are AU58 and AU55

BryceM

As others have said, some AU coins can be rather nice:

I suppose I've seen a few nice coins in MS60 holders, but I certainly don't own any and I can't really remember any.

Kkathyl

Th
ese are MS

Smudge

@BryceM that 31 looks 58 to me. Nice coins all.

astrorat

The only criteria for an MS-60 is no wear. It can be heavily bag marked, ugly toning, weakly struck, and devoid of luster, but still be uncirculated and thus an MS-60. As such, it is at a higher technical grade than an AU-58, but may merit a far lower price based on the eye appeal of the coin.

It's a confusing concept and it doesn't seem 'right' that a lower grade coin will sell for more money, but you need to look at the coin in its entirety and not just the technical grade.

Another way to think about it is like this. An MS-67 (for the most part) is an exceptional coin with nice eye appeal, a strong strike, and vibrant luster. Take that MS-67 and release it into circulation for a little while until just a hint of wear shows, and it is now an AU-58 coin. But it still is a marvelous coin, with just a whisper of wear. That AU-58 is likely worth well above the MS-60 price, even though it is an AU coin.

AU-58 represents one of the best values in collecting ... great coins for a decent price. It's common for nice AU-58s to be priced in the MS-62-63 range in some series.

Good luck!

Kkathyl

Ms 62

Twobitcollector

Here's a nice MS-60
that I have in my type set

Catbert

@Twobitcollector said:
Here's a nice MS-60
that I have in my type set

I’d wager this would gain a 62 by today’s grading standards and likely rebean. Nice!

CoinNovice

wow thank you all for your response!
it makes it easier to understand now,
and the pictures are great!
im sure as i read more and watch more videos i will
get better.

BillJones

Why can an AU-58 sell for more than an MS-60? For the AU and low Mint State grades, eye appeal trumps the technical grade.

BryceM

@Smudge said:
@BryceM that 31 looks 58 to me. Nice coins all.

Before I bought it, it used to live in an NGC AU58 holder.

Smudge

@BryceM said:

@Smudge said:
@BryceM that 31 looks 58 to me. Nice coins all.

Before I bought it, it used to live in an NGC AU58 holder.

I see.

amwldcoin

I wouldn't trade this set https://pcgs.com/setregistry/everyman-collections/everyman-half-dollars/everyman-barber-half-dollars-1892-1915/album/93006 For an MS63 set!

ricko

My mantra is, and has been....'Focus on the coin, not the label.' Sure, learn to grade (books, videos, seminars)...but the coin is the important item.....Cheers, RickO

BuffaloIronTail

@Smudge said:
Depends on the AU. Sometimes it will just have a touch of wear to knock it out of MS and otherwise be very clean. Those are the AU's to look for and they can be far more attractive than a baggy 60-62.

Any time. Any Clime. A nice AU with a little rub beats the pants off of a low MS.

I don't care about the price.

Pete

JohnnyCache

There are the every man registry sets that only allow coins up to AU 58+, I believe, which could also contribute.