$10 Indian Head Gold Coins MS 62
Grade Definition
MS 62 is the contraction for the denotation "Mint State Grade 62". "62" is a grade on the Sheldon coin grading scale, which was created by Dr. W.H. Sheldon, a numismatist and Psychologist. Coins that have not been circulated to the public are assigned a grade of 60, and coins visibly perfect earn a grade of 70, which is the top of the Sheldon coin grading scale. Old gold coins such as these are seldom ever seen in a 70 condition, and usually top out on the scale at a MS 66 or MS 67.
Specifics of the Grade
A $10 Indian gold piece in MS 62 exhibits some wear in the form of nicks and scratches and scuffs, and these detractions will more likely be found in the more prominent areas of the coin, such as "Lady Liberty" adorned in her rather unique Indian Chief headdress, or the standing eagle design on the back, or reverse of the coin. The MS 62 designation may also be assigned to a coin which has only sustained a few scars from wear and tear over the decades, but exhibits several raised "Die cracks" and / or die flaws from it's strike at the Mint.
