2026-01-14
Are Higher-Grade Coins Always Better? (The MS-70 Trap)
You are offered an MS-70 Eagle for $100 and an MS-69 Eagle for $40. They look identical to the naked eye. Which one is the scam?
Modern minting technology is almost perfect. 99% of Silver Eagles leaving the mint are "perfect" or "near perfect."
The "70" Premium
- MS-69 (Near Perfect): Might trade for $40.
- MS-70 (Perfect): Might trade for $100+.
The Trap
The difference between a 69 and a 70 is often microscopic. Unless you are a wealthy collector building a "Registry Set" (a competitive list of the finest coins known), paying for MS-70 is burning money. When you go to sell, most dealers will treat your MS-70 bullion coin just like a raw bullion coin. Rule: Buy the coin, not the number on the plastic.
Grading Guide
What does MS-65 mean? Download our Sheldon Scale Cheat Sheet to understand the language of coin grading.