| Author |
 Replies: 30 / Views: 5,860 |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
808 Posts |
What is your expectation when you buy a bullion coin described as being in "brilliant uncirculated" condition? I think this is a term used widely across the retail bullion coin industry. Does the term allow for any signs of wear or abuse? All replies and opinions gladly welcomed!
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
The term brilliant uncirculated indicates that the coin is free from any blemishes whatsoever and should be a totaly trouble free coin.
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Brilliant Uncirculated: A generic term applied to any coin that has not been in circulation. It often is applied to coins with little "brilliance" left, which properly should be described as simply Uncirculated. trout1105, what you described sounds like a MS70 coin to me. Does the term allow for any signs of wear or abuse? Yes, that's why there is a scale of MS60-70 in the uncirculated category. John1  |
|
Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21788 Posts |
I have a problem with 'Brilliant Uncirculated'.
The 'Uncirculated' part is easy. The obvoius implication is that the coin has no signs of wear.
It is possible to have a 'brilliant' coin with lots of nicks and scratches on it, or none at all, and it will still be 'brilliant', implying a full cartwheel lustre. There is nothing wrong with using the word 'brilliant' to help describe eye appeal. The problem is that it can be implied that it is the next condition level up from 'Uncirculated'.
That just ain't so.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
Bear with me on this. UNC Uncirculated coins in this grade should show no signs of wear or scratches,or any evidence of circulation. May show some slight imperfections from production. The Design and lettering are sharp and clear. ChUNC Choice Uncirculated. An above average uncirculated coin. May be brilliant or slightly toned Gem Gem Uncirculated Also known as BU- Brilliant Uncirculated. FDC Fleur De Coin. An exceptional piece attracting a premium price So there ya go bu IS a flawless coin  it is not a generic term it is actualy a grade  Edited by trout1105
03/11/2012 06:48 am
|
|
Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
BU is is not a flawless coin it is on the Sheldon grading scale as MS60. There are ten grades higher the BU (MS60). John1 |
|
Valued Member
United States
424 Posts |
Brilliant refers to the luster of the coin. No toning, or very light toning. And, the uncirculated is simply MS 60 or above. My Three Cents..now you owe me one. |
|
Pillar of the Community
Australia
7096 Posts |
I don't use the Sheldon scale and can judge the grades of my coins quite fine without it If the sheldon scale is so good then why the ag,g,vg,f,vf,ef,au and bu added to the slabs with a number from 1 to 70. Why not just give the coin a number  |
|
Valued Member
United States
264 Posts |
Quote:
Why not just give the coin a number Exactly. I have purchased many ASE that stated Brilliant Uncirculated but would earn less than a NGC MS65! |
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
808 Posts |
Thanks everyone. The coin I'm currently evaluating that was listed as BU has a shallow circular punch mark between the sun's rays on the obverse side of a one ounce AGE. The diameter is approximately the width of a sun's "ray" line. This shallow hole is VERY obvious without using magnification and was clearly machine or tool made. Could this be from some sort of assay test? What do you all think?
Edited by coinwatch
03/11/2012 12:37 pm
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
|
|
Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
in my book... ms69 to ms70...
|
|
Valued Member
United States
62 Posts |
hmm...does BU mean no bag marks or other scuffs from storage? Yes no one may have carried it around in their pocket but what about in a tube with other coins?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3670 Posts |
I figure just one nick of any kind on any section of coin, obverse, reverse, or rim would NO longer qualify for "brilliant UN-circulated", but again just that is just my opinion regardless if it happened in an UN-secure tube or loose bag....
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1213 Posts |
I think the definition of "brilliant uncirculated" depends on who is saying it. If it's from ebay, it's most likely not the same as from a reputable dealer. It should be natural and uncirculated. The crooks on ebay may polish or clean to get a "brilliant" one. |
|
Valued Member
344 Posts |
BU means it will be MS60-MS70 meaning its uncirculated. But just because a coin is uncirculated does not mean it can not have some small dings scratches or bag marks.
|
| |
Replies: 30 / Views: 5,860 |
Posted 03/11/2012 04:09 am
