Difference Between MS66 and MS67

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As a general statement, this is ridiculous.

 

Here is a photograph of a liberally graded MS66 1987-D Jefferson Nickel. The coin has semi-prooflike surfaces which emphasizes many very small marks in the photograph. That said, this coin is a very low end MS66 and probably deserves and MS65 (my opinion). There are just too many scattered marks on the surface of the coin to warrant a premium gem grade.



With respect to your coin, I would give it an MS64 grade. It is pretty clean with the exception of those major marks on Jeff's coat which is the focal point of the coin. Those marks will preclude a gem grade. It is a shame because without them, it would be a really nice coin.

 

Thank you for posting this coin, I appreciate it. It is a good example for me to go by. Thank you for your advice on my coin as well.

 

Paul is an expert in these. I would listen to his opinion on them as well.

 

Once the coins are struck, it takes a lot of luck to find any that would be high grades, and that includes coins destined for Mint Sets because they are subjected to the same transport mechanisms as the other business strikes.

Over the years, I've submitted quite a few business strike quarters and halves that came back MS67 or MS68. Some of the 67's from the same submissions looked as good as the 68's; a (small) few of the 68's looked good enough to be 69's in comparison to other 68's from the same submission.

More importantly, all of these coins came from bags rather than Mint Sets or rolls because I prefer to search large quantities of the same date/mm. I am more apt to find a high grade from searching 500-1000 coins from a bag as opposed to 20 or 40 from rolls. Also, the premium paid to the Mint is much lower on bags........higher on rolls........and even higher yet on Mint Sets........and I certainly don't intend to order 500-1000 Mint Sets to increase my chances of finding high grades.

Chris