Morgan Silver Dollar Coin MS65 (1878-1904)

Morgan Silver Dollar MS 65

Grade Definition

MS 65 is the contraction for the denotation "Mint State Grade 65" a grade on the Sheldon grading scale. Dr. W. H. Sheldon, a Psychologist as well as a numismatist, invented the scale in 1949. He did so to aid in the description and condition of U.S. Large Cents, however his scale was quickly adapted to be applied to all U.S. coinage. Few coins as aged as the Morgan Silver Dollar are graded in the MS 65 designation. A coin in this mint state is more valuable than the same circulated coin, or a coin in a lower mint state.

Specifics of the Grade

A Morgan Silver Dollar in MS 65 began as coin produced at the U.S. Mint by dies of high quality. Any minting or strike anomalies will need low-power magnification to be seen. A Morgan Dollar of this grade will also have a nice silver luster. The silver may also show "Toning" which is desirable coloring of the coin resulting from the tendency of silver to react chemically with it's environment. Any scuffs or nicks will be less visible and fewer in number than the same coin in a MS 64 or MS 63 condition. These coins will trade significantly over the worth of their silver content due to their condition alone.