The difference between MS68 and MS69. Asking the vets. I deal with licoln cents (mostly)

CRH4LIFE

My question is grading. I understand some companies are harsh. Some arent. Going by the big 3 and I am having a hard time getting it down. I know color and eye appeal are a big part but I would love to get down that difference between a 68 vs a 69. Little money vs big money. Any reccomend sites other than photo grade? Any and all advice and opinions very much welcome. Thanks - Nate

BillJones

An MS-69 should not have a defect that is obvious. You need to hunt for the distracting spot or surface mark.

An MS-68 will have a spot that you can see, but it shouldn't amount to much.

Both coins need to have full luster and far better than average eye appeal.

Have you checked out the photos on the "Coin Facts" site?

CRH4LIFE

I do use coin facts and compare coins. I look at the photos or head photos that come up. But the head pictures on the site (I use the app) do not have a grade. That answer helped TONS thank you

1Mike1

I don't get to see 68 and 69 collecting Lincoln wheat cents. I can try to answer with some of the obvious stuff like planchet condition, stains and discoloration, carbon spots (yuck), nicks, dings, scratches in the fields, luster is a major one with the big three, and I try to select a nice strike if I can help it at all.

ricko

I find that an MS69 should look perfect to most viewers.....Often it seem it is a slightly less degree of general eye appeal that prevents it from MS70. And an MS68 will, upon close examination, show a very minor imperfection, usually in an obscure area... Just my observations over the years...and, as such, not always correct.... however, when you are trying to define opinions (grades), that is what you will get. Cheers, RickO

lkeigwin

Click on "view all coin images" to see coins and their grades.
Lance.

BuffaloIronTail

An MS-68 Cent has to have clear and non blemished fields. Probably the only difference in grade between 68 and 69 might be a small tick somewhere.

Pete

Jimnight

What they all said.

illini420

If you are talking about Lincoln Wheat Cents, then an MS69 example should be absolutely perfect... no noticeable defects at all... and must have amazing overall eye appeal. There is no such thing as an MS70 wheat cent and likely never will be. So the MS69 is the "perfect" example.

An MS68 wheat cent will be pretty much "perfect" as well. No noticeable defects at all. Graders are probably very reluctant to give an MS69 grade on older issues like wheat cents, so you'll probably see virtually perfect coins in 68 holders, or examples with just one or two microscopic defects at most.

If you are talking about modern Lincolns, especially proofs, then the answer would be different.