What does AU58 mean to you?

llafoe · February 4, 2011 4:06AM

To me, it should be a coin that has VERY MINOR wear on the high points, has VERY MINIMAL contact marks, still retains a lot of luster and is essentially an MS68 that circulated for a very limited period of time... literally, maybe once or twice.

BigE · February 4, 2011 4:12AM

Often, I like an AU58 coin more than a beat up 62----------------------BigE

jesbroken · February 4, 2011 4:15AM

To me it means the most collectible grade for most series of coins. Has all strike high points(with maybe an ever so slight rub), lustre, color(if copper or silver toning present) and has actually touched consumers hands. A true numismatic treasure and my favorite grade.
Jim

tradedollarnut · February 4, 2011 4:19AM

<< To me, it should be a coin that has VERY MINOR wear on the high points, has VERY MINIMAL contact marks, still retains a lot of luster and is essentially an MS68 that circulated for a very limited period of time... literally, maybe once or twice. >>

You forgot to add that you get to buy it for less than MS60 money just to complete the fantasy.

To me it's a coin with definite wear, not just on the highest points but also in the fields - which also show evidence of circulation marks. It has more luster than an AU55 and MAYBE a few less marks, but really it's about the extra luster. It's a coin that definitely circulated, not just from the bank around the block a few times.

IMO, the services would grade more consistently if they threw away the artificial MS60 ceiling/floor and just assigned an overall desirability number to a coin taking wear and/or friction into account in the net grade process. It does appear to me that's where they're headed.

OKbustchaser · February 4, 2011 4:19AM

What does AU58 mean to you?

An AU coin that went through the grading room on the wrong day to end up in a 63 holder.

llafoe · February 4, 2011 4:23AM

<< You forgot to add that you get to buy it for less than MS60 money just to complete the fantasy.

>>

Who are you kidding? An AU58 costs more than an MS63 now that they Everyman Registry sets have become so successful!

dsessom · February 4, 2011 4:23AM

<< To me it means the most collectible grade for most series of coins. Has all strike high points(with maybe an ever so slight rub), lustre, color(if copper or silver toning present) and has actually touched consumers hands. A true numismatic treasure and my favorite grade.
Jim >>

I agree with Jim. AU58 is most usually the best bang for the buck. Sometimes you come across coins that look so gemmy that you have to wonder why they are in a AU58 holder. I have several that I honestly can see no rub on. Aside from the holder, they rival most MS65s but at a fraction of the price.

dsessom · February 4, 2011 4:25AM

<< Who are you kidding? An AU58 costs more than an MS63 now that they Everyman Registry sets have become so successful!

>>

That's true too! AU58s in many series are now selling for MS62 money, and sometimes more. I have paid 2X Price Guide on a few of my V nickels.

Fairlaneman · February 4, 2011 4:27AM

A coin with 90 to 95 percent luster and very little if any wear. To me there is a huge difference between AU58 and AU55.

Ken

Fairlaneman · February 4, 2011 4:34AM

<< 

<< Who are you kidding? An AU58 costs more than an MS63 now that they Everyman Registry sets have become so successful!

>>

That's true too! AU58s in many series are now selling for MS62 money, and sometimes more. I have paid 2X Price Guide on a few of my V nickels. >>

Just after the everymans sets came out I was watching what 1919S PCGS AU58 mercs were doing. At the time they were going for 200 to 300 bucks on ebay. Thats easily 2 times sheet and closer to 3 times sheet. I had one and just could not sell it for the going rate so I dumped it at $160, I think it was, for a nice little profit. I.m sure other examples like this are out there.

Ken

Broadstruck · February 4, 2011 4:35AM

<< To me, it should be a coin that has VERY MINOR wear on the high points, has VERY MINIMAL contact marks, still retains a lot of luster and is essentially an MS68 that circulated for a very limited period of time >>

An MS/AU68 is quite a push as there's so many levels to AU58...

There's Semi and Total Dogs and then there's some real nice examples that may posses the look of a MS/AU64-66.

To date I've not seen a +'d AU58 that I felt was deserving as being anything special, but time will tell.

jom · February 4, 2011 4:36AM

<< IMO, the services would grade more consistently if they threw away the artificial MS60 ceiling/floor and just assigned an overall desirability number to a coin taking wear and/or friction into account in the net grade process. It does appear to me that's where they're headed. >>

THIS!

I don't see wear as any more of a detriment to a coin than bag marks or lack of luster so I don't see why it can't be just another way to come to some consensus as to grade/price. Many high end AU coins are nicer than lower end MS pieces and that is the way they should be graded, IMO.

jom

BaseballAbs · February 4, 2011 4:41AM

Means someone had a NGC MS graded coin sent it to PCGS and got screwed.

kurtdog · February 4, 2011 4:42AM

<< To me, it should be a coin that has VERY MINOR wear on the high points, has VERY MINIMAL contact marks, still retains a lot of luster and is essentially an MS68 that circulated for a very limited period of time... literally, maybe once or twice. >>

Those "contact marks" you reference are called "PMD" on a circulated coin. They're no grading criteria. At least, not technically. From a market grading standpoint, they're meaningful to the degree they negatively impact on "eye appeal."

LindeDad · February 4, 2011 4:44AM

What date and mint is it I see a lot more wrong with a key date AU58 than a common date coin.
I think some of the images here will explain.

My set.

Halfhunter06 · February 4, 2011 4:48AM

AU 58 is a coin thats an MS 63 or 64 with the slightest trace of rub

MikeInFL · February 4, 2011 4:49AM

"What does AU58 mean to you?"

A coin that costs less than an MS 60 and more than an AU 55.

dsessom · February 4, 2011 4:52AM

<< "What does AU58 mean to you?"

A coin that costs less than an MS 60 and more than an AU 55. >>

Aw, come on Mike! What? I sure wish that were the truth. My Everyman V nickels would have been a LOT less expensive! LOL

dsessom · February 4, 2011 4:53AM

<< What date and mint is it I see a lot more wrong with a key date AU58 than a common date coin.
I think some of the images here will explain.

My set. >>

WOW!!! That is an awesome set of Morgans!

Sonorandesertrat · February 4, 2011 4:53AM

What does AU58 mean to me? Look carefully to see if it's a decent AU58+ upgrade candidate.

zeebob · February 4, 2011 5:01AM

AU58 means that unless I look carefully I'd think the coin was MS64 or better.

tahoe98 · February 4, 2011 5:07AM

...it means, mostly, it costs less than uncirculated.

TPRC · February 4, 2011 5:10AM

<< AU 58 is a coin thats an MS 63 or 64 with the slightest trace of rub >>

AuroraBorealis · February 4, 2011 5:23AM

<< "What does AU58 mean to you?"

A coin that costs less than an MS 60 and more than an AU 55. >>

LOL

One that looks like my DBD and i would own more of them...

AB

drei3ree · February 4, 2011 5:26AM

I agree with most, it's a gem coin with a slight rub.

crypto79 · February 4, 2011 5:33AM

<< I agree with most, it's a gem coin with a slight rub. >>

That doesn't make any sense. A MS63 with light rub and high luster is still a AU58???. If you think that is what a 55 is then I would say a 55 is the level where wear starts not just friction rub. if you don't know the difference take 2 new quarters out of a roll, they can be baggy, rub one hard between 2 other clad quarters for 2mins and the between you fingers for 2 more mins. that is a 58.

Broadstruck · February 4, 2011 5:36AM

ColoradoCoinGuy · February 4, 2011 5:52AM

To me and AU58 is a MS 65 or better coin that has just the slightest bit of wear and
loss of luster on the high points, but very very few marks and great eye appeal.

An AU55 would be a MS63 or MS64 coin with slightly more wear and loss of luster
than the AU58 and it would also have more contact marks and the eye appeal
would be less that the AU58.

drei3ree · February 4, 2011 6:04AM

<< 

<< I agree with most, it's a gem coin with a slight rub. >>

That doesn't make any sense. A MS63 with light rub and high luster is still a AU58???. If you think that is what a 55 is then I would say a 55 is the level where wear starts not just friction rub. if you don't know the difference take 2 new quarters out of a roll, they can be baggy, rub one hard between 2 other clad quarters for 2mins and the between you fingers for 2 more mins. that is a 58. >>

I'm not sure what you've postulated, but I believe you are confusing circulation with bag marks...

relicsncoins · February 4, 2011 6:05AM

It's easier to show what it means.

jesbroken · February 4, 2011 6:15AM

Now TWITA!
Nice JJ.
Jim

RWB · February 4, 2011 6:19AM

Slight wear on the highest points - only. Very light disruption of field luster. Any more prominent things and it's EF.

UtahCoin · February 4, 2011 6:26AM

To me, it means it could be anywhere between MS-68 with a hint of rub, or a beat to death MS-60 with a hint of rub.

I've always thought an AU58 grade should be graded AU-58/65 (or such) reflecting the overall quality of the specific coin.

ColoradoCoinGuy · February 4, 2011 6:56AM

UtahCoin wrote:
To me, it means it could be anywhere between MS-68 with a hint of rub, or a beat to death MS-60 with a hint of rub.

I feel that a MS-60 with a hint of rub/loss of luster would be a AU50. An MS60 is going to have alot of marks and hits
and usually it will not have very good eye appeal.

shorecoll · February 4, 2011 7:01AM

I know I'm too strict, but I believe some of the arguments above...if there's wear at all, the coin is not MS. There are lots of AU bust halves and large cents in MS holders, but they're still AU. What I really dislike is when an auction house uses a TPG grade to argue rank in the EAC condition census..."this coins grades MSxx, putting it near the top of the CC". Unless it's actually been compared to the other coins in the census, that statement is meaningless. Sorry for the rant.

ambro51 · February 4, 2011 7:04AM

Thats funny I went to school with masselpessel hesselgesser...wonder if it was a relation?

fcloud · February 4, 2011 7:05AM

To me many AU58 coins are simply bargain priced MS63 to MS66 coins in disguise. I have seen some beauties you simply can't find a mark or rub on the surface.

Batman23 · February 4, 2011 7:15AM

It would be nice if one could say that an AU50 is equal to a MS60 with wear, an AU55 is equal to MS63 with slight wear and an AU58 is equal to MS65+ with slight wear. But that is not the way the grading scales are set up.

All grades between 1 and 59 are a progressive scale based on wear. All grades from MS60 and MS70 are "uncirculated" and based on strike, bag marks, eye appeal... anything with circulation rub is not in this class.

Therefore a beat to hell MS60 and a wonderful MS68, both given just a little circulation rub should (in theory) both end up in the AU58 holder.

It would be nice if the AU50-AU59 scale was treated similar to the MS60-MS69 scale. But then we would need a class for the Almost Almost Uncirculated (AAU) but better than an XF.

boiler78 · February 4, 2011 7:18AM

I like mine to look like this

Lakesammman · February 4, 2011 7:21AM

It means AU50 BUT a key date.

Lakesammman · February 4, 2011 7:23AM

ambro51 · February 4, 2011 7:43AM

dont talk about AU59. dont give them any ideas.....

coindudeonebay · February 4, 2011 7:46AM

The first thing that comes to mind is... great quality at an affordable price. Especially as compared to some MS examples.

Sonorandesertrat · February 4, 2011 7:46AM

<< dont talk about AU59. dont give them any ideas.....

>>

You're too late. AU58+ coins are floating around.
I bought an AU58+ T.2 double eagle two weeks ago--I was surprised
that it wasn't deemed mint state by PCGS.

Unknown · February 4, 2011 8:42AM

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Lakesammman · February 4, 2011 8:45AM

Does anyone have a real AU58 1877 IHC?? I'd sure like to see it.

dogwood · February 4, 2011 12:34PM

I fail to see where in any strict numerical designation, an AU58 denotes the "quality" of the surface.
It denotes the time it has briefly spent in circulation.
And how much wear the coin has.
A big old Lustrous Morgan, with bag marks, but just a small rub on the cheek, should be no less a 58 than a similar Lustrous one with no bag marks and a small rub.
The subsequent "quality" issues are what +, *, and CAC is for.
Or the word Choice.
Or, $$$ vs $$1/2.

COALPORTER · February 4, 2011 12:41PM

It means I am running out of money.

Raybo · February 4, 2011 12:51PM

<< To me, it should be a coin that has VERY MINOR wear on the high points, has VERY MINIMAL contact marks, still retains a lot of luster and is essentially an MS68 that circulated for a very limited period of time... literally, maybe once or twice. >>

You are wishing in one hand and pooping in the other.

ANACONDA · February 4, 2011 1:18PM

<< To me, it should be a coin that has VERY MINOR wear on the high points, has VERY MINIMAL contact marks, still retains a lot of luster and is essentially an MS68 that circulated for a very limited period of time... literally, maybe once or twice. >>

It would be nice if all AU58s were MS68s with a little rub but that isn't the case. There are scuffy MS60s with a little rub in AU58 holders.

Remember, there is no Santa Claus in numismatics.

GaCoinGuy · February 4, 2011 1:27PM

To me, AU58 means the coin didn't live a sheltered life. I like to think of the history behind the coin; where it's been, what it's paid for. Maybe that CBH bought some guy the meal that saved his life...

I like the coins with a history to them. MS coins, while lovely and all that, to me, are too sterile.

What does AU58 mean to you?

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