Mint State
Mint State. Unblemished condition; as if still in the mint. The term means the same as uncirculated when applied to numismatic and medallic items (mint state is also applied as a top condition in other items, as books or such, which are not made in a mint). Thus mint state should imply pristine state with no signs of wear or damage or impairment. When the term “mint” alone is used as a condition, what is meant is this term. Several grading systems utilized mint state as a descriptive term, abbreviating it MS-60 to MS-70. See condition, uncirculated.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor