Q: What does PR68 mean? Is that a good rating? What's the best rating?

A: Coins are graded on a scale of 1 to 70 with 70 meaning in flawless mint condition and 1 being extremely poor. This grade number is prefaced by a variety of prefixes adding further classification to the coin.  In this case, the “PR” designation in front of the 68 (which is close to 70 except for some very minor surface defects in the coin, probably only noticeable with a magnifying glass) means that the coin is a “proof” strike which is a special strike struck for collectors with a higher striking pressure and a more polished die, usually including frosted surface areas for a more beautiful picture on both the obverse (front) and reverse (back) of the coin.

Other grading designations include:

            “G” = Good

            “VG” = Very Good

            “F” = Fine

            “VF” = Very Fine

            “XF” = Extremely Fine

            “AU” = About Uncirculated

            “MS”- Mint State (Uncirculated, but not proof)