I was wondering when the very first MS70 or PR70 grade was given by PCGS or NGC. You seem them quite frequently with modern bullion coins such as silver eagles and chinese pandas. Is there a such thing as an early american ms70? I know Morgan dollars go up to ms68 but perhaps some other coin has gotten the perfect grade in the 1800s. Does anybody know when the first perfect coin was discovered?
Since the TPGs didn't come into existence until the 1970s, are you really asking "when was the first 70 grade issued", or did you mean "what is the earliest date of a coin that has received a 70 grade"?
The first MS70 coin was in 1979. But the exact one is unknown as any AU not stabbed in the face with an ice pick was MS70.
They should be theoretical, with no coins graded that high. What do you call a coin better than a 70? Awarding any coin a 70 pretty much destroys the meaning of the scale, along with giving ample ammunition to the CoinVault pushers.
The only coin I can think of off the top of my pointy head is Stewart Blay's 1919 Lincoln which graded MS69. I cannot recall when the first MS/PR70 was assigned.
Still can't happen. The highest grade that can be a star or a plus is 69. Look at the PCGS and NGC websites and you'll see.
Not at all Chris, and Tom was correct, a 70 grade does not mean perfection at all. Let me explain, all grades have RANGES. Just like there are low grade 64's solid for the grade and high grade 64's the same is true for the 70 grade. It has a range, the low end of the 70 range is near perfection and it goes UP to the theoretical, but not achievable, perfect coin.
I know that there are at least a few ms69 Morgan dollars. http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=1121&lotNo=4957 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1880-S-Morg...ce-Rainbow-Rim-Toned-w-HD-Video-/111134084793 http://www.artandcointv.com/landing/highestgradedmorgandollar/highestgradedmorgandollar.html This page (http://www.pcgs.com/books/silver-dollars/Chapter15-030.aspx) indicates that there are 5 MS69 Morgans. (when the article was written, that is) More interestingly, I found a Heritage Auctions record for an MS69* 1853 Seated Dime (http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=368&lotNo=5462). While this is not a 70, it is about as close to perfect as it gets in the 1800s. Earlier than the seated dime by a single year, Heritage also turned up an MS69 gold dollar. (http://coins.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=400&lotNo=2516)
I remember from 20 years ago there is a wreath cent either 68 or 69. The chain in the collection got all of the attention, but the wreath was higher graded.
One calls it anything one can (pays to have) cram(med) into the character spaces alloted on the holder's insert after the grade number... and get someone to believe is more perfect than other plain labelled 70s: A Proof 70 Ultra (or Deep) Cameo, Early Release (or First Strike), John Smith Horde/Collection, flavor of the month designed graphic, hologram-ed, plused (+), starred (✭), etc.