$20 Liberty Gold Coins MS 61

$20 Liberty Gold Coins MS 61

Grade Definition

MS 61 is a contraction for the denotation of "Mint State Grade 61" belonging to the Sheldon Scale, which was created by Dr. William Herbert Sheldon in 1949 to better categorize the condition of U.S. Large Cent coins, but was eventually adapted and used to grade all American coinage. "Mint State" means the coin is in uncirculated condition, and this delineation begins at MS 60.

Specifics of the Grade

A $20 Liberty gold piece in MS 61 condition will still retain some of it's original luster from the immense pressures created by the U.S. Mint presses, but there will be visible areas where the luster has dissipated. Marks or scratches, or groups of scratches may be visible on the higher relief areas of the coin, including the likeness of Lady Liberty. There may be visible hairline marks, that are often the results of small cracks in the dies that are used in the minting process. "Bag marks", which are wear caused from being on the bottom of a sack of other coins, are not uncommon on MS 61 $20 Liberty gold coins.