AU58: The Grade Just Short of Mint State, as Defined by CoinWeek, NGC and PCGS
On January 21, 2026, CoinWeek published an explainer on AU58, a grade on the Sheldon Scale. It describes AU58 as showing only the slightest wear on the highest points while retaining about 90% of original luster, and says the grade was introduced in the 1970s by numismatist Tom DeLorey. The article also quotes the definitions used by NGC and PCGS as of August 2025.
Correction (Oct 13, 2026): We rewrote the headline, summary and body to match the source. We removed unsupported investment claims (including that AU58 coins are highly liquid and function as investments), statements about the scarcity of Morgan Dollars and Eagle gold coins, how to spot artificial wear, wear as "living history," and demand trends, and presented the definition, the grade's origin and the NGC and PCGS definitions as the source gives them. The previous headline was "AU58 Coins Command Premium Over MS-Grade: Why Circulation History Drives Value."
This article is based on an explainer CoinWeek published on January 21, 2026. It describes a coin grade; it is not a report of a new event.
What AU58 Means
AU58 is a specific grade on the Sheldon Scale. It is also known as "About Uncirculated 58" or "Borderline BU."
According to CoinWeek, a properly graded AU58 coin shows only the slightest evidence of wear, typically on its highest points. It retains about 90% of its original luster and may appear uncirculated except under specific lighting conditions.
The article says the grade was introduced in the 1970s by numismatist Tom DeLorey.
Compared with MS60 to MS62
CoinWeek writes that AU58 coins are often visually appealing and can sometimes have better eye appeal than coins graded MS60 to MS62.
Some MS60 to MS62 coins show "cabinet friction," a form of wear said to have been caused by incidental contact. CoinWeek argues that because it takes more than incidental contact to cause wear on a coin's surface, a case can be made that such wear should reduce a coin's grade to AU58. It advises against paying Mint State prices for coins with this type of wear.
Grading Service Definitions (as of August 2025)
The article lists the definitions used by major third-party grading services:
- NGC: "Slight wear on the highest points of the design. Full details." - PCGS: "Only the slightest friction on the highest points. Virtually full luster."
For CAC, the article notes that CoinWeek asked for clarification on April 7, 2024; no CAC definition text is given.
Source: CoinWeek, "AU58 : A Grade Just Shy of Mint State" (January 21, 2026).
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