AU 58 & MS58

Twowood

Just bought a coin that I bought as AU58. When it arrived, it was labeled MS58?
I always thought that AU was a couple of rungs lower than MS.
Please explain. Twowood

littlewicher

Sometimes PCGS messes up on the holders. Then if you want it fixed, you have to pay for it. I think that if PCGS made the mistake, they should have to pay to get it reslabbed.

nwcs

I believe the precise term for this is "mechanical error" where they make a typo. If you just got it, you can send it back to PCGS for a free reholdering. 'Course, you still have to pay for s&h.

Barry

<< <i>Sometimes PCGS messes up on the holders. Then if you want it fixed, you have to pay for it. I think that if PCGS made the mistake, they should have to pay to get it reslabbed. >>


When they make a grading error, you get to pay again, too (aka, crackout/resubmission). Look at it from their point of view - If they can get away with it, why should they change?

ms70

I know someone that has an MS53 coin from PCGS! They became aware of the mistake and have expressed great
desire to get it back to fix it. They'll fix the slab for nothing & if you get them at a major show you won't even have
to pay for shipping, but having a little mistake out there like that seems to make them a bit unhappy.

flaminio

I've had a few slabs with typographical errors of this sort. In every case the grading company was happy to get the coin back and reholder it, gratis.

zenny

as no one seems interested in answering your question: AU58 is short for almost uncirculated 58, it is the highest grade given on a "circulated" coin ( AU grades are generally 50,53,55 and 58 ). Whether the coin has actually seen circulation is often debated or disputed, as the high point of the coin will show some wear or rub, but this can actually occur through mishandling even if the coin went straight from the mint into a collector's hands.

MS stands for "mint state" which is supposed to indicate that there is no wear on the coin, and it has as much metal on it as it did when it left the mint. MS coins are graded from 60-70 (except, apparently, by acg, haha), with 60-62's generally being coins which although uncirculated, they are quite often dogs. An MS70 is your theoretical perfect coin, with 63 the grade once known as "choice" uncirculated, 65 "gem" uncirculated and 67 "superb gem" uncirculated.

The MS and AU grades are generally used for regular circulation coins, as proof coins, even those which show signs of wear, are graded proof 01-70.

AU58, further, is often much nicer, in terms of eye appeal, etc. than an MS60 through, at times 63. The NGC guys in the grading class would at times say, "well, that's either a 58 or a 64, depending on rub." So while being "a couple rungs lower" than MS, one often gets a very nice coin at a good price when the grade is 58.

If the slab is from a reputable grading company, it's probably worth holding onto it as it is an interesting "slab error."

hope that helps.

z