List of Very High Graded Certified Circulating Coins
By thecanadiannumismatist | Friday, 10 March 2023
Grading coins or notes is a subjective area. Even if there is some degree of consensus, opinions vary from a person to another and from a grading company to another. Furthermore, grades are defined differently in some countries.
We list here some of the highest grades from grading and certification companies (mostly PCGS) found on circulating coins.
Modern coins are excluded. They are more common in very high grades.
Canada 5 cents 1902 - MS-68
In 2015, this coin sold for $8,625.
PCGS Pop Report:
- 1902 - MS-68 - 2 known
- 1902 Large H - MS-68 - 2 known
5 cents 1902 price guide and values »
Canada 10 cents 1916 - MS-68
Most 10 cents coins from 1911 to 1919 have a couple of MS-68 pieces.
An example sold for around $13,000 at a Royal Canadian Numismatic Association auction where several mint state finest known coins were sold.
Canada 10 cents 1918 - MS-68
This coin, from the Canadiana Collection, sold in January 2010 for $8,600. It was slabbed by PCGS in a Generation 4 holder. It is now in the Perth Collection and upgraded to MS-68+.
PCGS Pop Report:
- 10 cents 1911 - MS-68 - 1 known
- 10 cents 1914 - MS-68 - 1 known
- 10 cents 1915 - MS-68 - 1 known
- 10 cents 1916 - MS-68 - 2 known
- 10 cents 1917 - MS-68 - 2 known
- 10 cents 1918 - MS-68 - 2 known
Canada 25 cents 1904 - MS-68
Finest known, in Athena Collection.
Canada 50 cents 1931 - MS-68
Finest known, in Perth Collection.
Canada 1 dollar 1949 - MS-68
A few examples of 1949 MS-68 are known.
The example pictured here, from Belzberg Collection, shows intense pink and golden tones. It sold many times over the years:
- 2016 - $4,900
- 2014 - $4,000
- 2012 - $4,500
- 2011 - $5,000
- 2003 - $2,600
Another one, without toning, sold for $9,145 in 2009.
The only MS-68+ example sold for $6,325 in 2011.
Canada 1 dollar 1950 - MS-68
Two exist at PCGS. One of them shows pinkish color. It sold for $5,150 in 2014.
Canada 1 dollar 1960 - MS-68
Recently sold, January 2023, for $6,500, including buyer's fee.
Newfoundland 5 cents 1912 - MS-69
Finest known, currently part of the Athena Collection.
Newfoundland 10 cents 1912 - MS-68
PCGS certified 5 of these, including 3 as MS-68+. The one pictured here sold for $3,273.60 in 2018. It was in a PCGS 1998-1998 (Generation 3.1).
It was slabbed again by PCGS later and is now graded MS-68+ and it sold in June 2019 for $3,867.50.
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