I'm sure this is posted somewhere on the site and I apologize if it is but I was just wondering what the meanings of AU, MS-68, and others like these mean? I'm fairly new to the collecting world and the language that comes with it, lol. Sorry to sound like a 'newbie' but I guess everyone starts somewhere. If someone could also post a list of what each meaning means would be great also. Thanks!
Refers to Coin Grading There are many more helpful links about this in the Numismatic Resources section of CoinTalk to help you out. Welcome to CT and numismatic collecting!
Welcome to the neighborhood! I'm sure that you will eventually get the answers you want, but it might be to your benefit to invest in a couple of books to help you along. I'd recommend that you purchase a copy of The Official Red Book of United States Coins by R. S. Yeoman and The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins edited by Kenneth Bressett. You will discover that these two books, alone, will answer a multitude of questions and they contain a wealth of information. Both AU and MS68 are terms that indicate the condition of a coin. AU means "Almost Uncirculated" having some, but not all, of the characteristics of an uncirculated coin. MS68 is one of the specific, numeric grades of the Sheldon Scale. This scale rates coins based on their condition from P01 (worst) to MS70 (best). Mint State coins begin with the grade MS60 and can go as high as MS70 which is considered a "perfectly struck" coin. Chris
