Home Is it Good? Is it Very Good? Is it Fine? Is it Very Fine? Is it VF or XF? Is it Extremely Fine? Is it Almost Uncirculated? Is it AU or MS? Is it MS-60 or MS-63? Is it MS-63 or MS-64? Is it MS-64 or MS-65? Is it Red-Brown or Red? | Is it AU or MS? The thing to look for in determining whether a coin is AU or MS is to determine if the original luster has been disturbed. If the coin is held at an angle in the light and rotated slightly a cartwheel effect should be noticeable. This is luster. If a coin lacks luster, look at the surface to see if the surfaces have the same texture throughout. An AU coin will show flat, dull areas on the highest points where the original surface has been worn slightly. A MS coin, regardless of the color, amount of marks, and weakness of strike, will have similar surfaces on the highest points as well as in the protected areas. AU coins can come totally mark free, and MS coins can come with heavy contact marks (contact from other coins). In this case the AU would be the more desirable coin. Many collectors chase AU-55 or AU-58 coins as an affordable way to assemble a beautiful collection. I would always recommend a nice AU-58 over a "bottom-of-the barrel" MS-60 if they are at the same price. | ||
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Copyright on standards Richard Snow prior to acceptance
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