$20 Saint-Gaudens Gold Coins MS 65

$20 Saint-Gaudens Gold Coins MS 65

Grade Definition

MS 65 is the contraction for the denotation "Mint State Grade 65" within the Sheldon grading system. The Sheldon coin grading scale is named for it's inventor, Dr. William Sheldon. This scale ranges from a low of 1 to a top score of 70, though older coins, and especially those that are coined from gold, which is a soft metal, very seldom ever score higher than a MS 66 or MS 67. If a coin is uncirculated and not particularly heavily damaged over the years, it will receive a score of MS 60. A MS 65 coin is quite desirable, and will carry a premium over it's lesser graded counterparts.

Specifics of the Grade

A $20 Saint-Gaudens gold piece in MS 65 will shine with a bright golden hue, often called "Mint luster" by those in the numismatic world. The strike will be true and full of detail. Any scarring will be slight and probably not located on the prominent designs of the coin, but more likely in the "Field" or blank areas behind the raised design of Saint-Gaudens' work. Any defects from the minting process will require magnification and a trained eye to detect.