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Condition and gradingMS70 Penny: What the Top Grade Means and Your Odds
In short
- An MS70 penny is a Mint State coin graded 70, the top of the 1-to-70 scale.
- MS stands for Mint State. PR and PF mark proof coins.
- A penny from your change will almost never grade 70, because a 70 has no trace of wear or handling.
What does MS70 mean on a penny?
The Sheldon scale runs from 1 to 70. It originated in the United States in the late 1940s, and NGC adopted it when the company launched in 1987. Its top grade, 70, is what collectors call the perfect coin, as minted. The Sheldon definition also rules out any trace of wear, handling, scratches or contact with other coins.
NGC's test is the absence of post-production imperfections at 5x magnification. In plain terms, nothing can have marked or damaged the coin after it left the press. A coin that has circulated shows wear and handling, so it cannot be a 70.
PR and PF both label proof coins, and proofs use the same 1-to-70 scale. NGC's numeric grades for Mint State and proof coins range from 1 to 70.
Could a penny from change be an MS70?
Almost certainly not. A coin that has been carried and spent has, by definition, circulated, so it is not Mint State. Wikipedia's grading article also notes that MS-70 coins are almost non-existent among older coins, with very few examples known.
Even a sharp-looking coin needs an expert to confirm its grade.
What about a PR70 penny?
A PR70 penny is a proof coin at the top of the same scale. NGC says proof (PF) coins are struck in a special format for collectors and use the same 1-to-70 standard, so a 70 still means no post-production imperfections at 5x magnification. Wikipedia notes that proof grades from 60 to 70 mirror their uncirculated counterparts. Wikipedia lists PR alongside PF as a proof prefix.
A proof is a collector coin, not a coin from change, so this question is different from the one most people are asking.
What is an MS 70 penny worth?
Value depends on the date, the variety and the certified grade. Any value you see for an uncertified coin is only an estimate.
Grade changes the estimate a lot. Our catalogue estimates a 1943 steel penny at 6¢ at G-4 and at $7.50 at MS-65. These figures are estimates, not offers to buy or sell. For estimates on common dates, see the penny value chart.
Is a perfect grade penny worth the cost of grading?
Usually not for an ordinary penny. Our catalogue assumes a grading fee in the tens of dollars per coin, and it recommends professional grading only for a coin whose estimate is well above that fee. For a common penny, the fee would cost far more than the coin itself.
Before you send anything, read grading basics for pennies. Color also affects a grade, so red, red-brown or brown explains the copper labels that appear next to a numeric grade. NGC uses BN for full brown patina, RB for a mix of red luster and brown patina, and RD for full mint red luster.
Check yours
Take a clear photo of your penny in soft, even light to see its estimated condition, and leave any claim of a 70 to a professional grading service.
Check your own pennyPenny Value is an Android app for now, so it isn't on the App Store. The values and checks on this page are free to use.Penny Value is an Android app. Open this page on your Android phone to check your own penny with a photo.
Coins in this guide
- 1943 SteelPhiladelphia · 684.6 million made7.5¢worn$2.00MS-60
Related guides
- Grading basics for pennies: from Good to Mint State
- Red, Red-Brown or Brown: why a penny's color matters
Sources
- NGC, “NGC Coin Grading Scale” (accessed 2026-10-09)
- Wikipedia, “Sheldon coin grading scale” (accessed 2026-10-09)