Coin Condition Terms As Used On Ebay

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,211
TheForce Pillar of the Community United States 4868 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 12:11 pm On ebay I see a number of listings for coins simply graded as "BU" or "Choice BU" or "Gem BU". Generally speaking, what does that translate to as a MS grade? Price guides do NOT use those terms so how can you accurately say what grade it is? Report this Post to the Staff

trout1105 Pillar of the Community Australia 7096 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 12:22 pm As a rule of thumb it is generally a Good idea to totally ignore any sellers grade or description and to make your own assessment of the coin using the images provided. If the images are not good enough to make an assessment then Pass and move on to a listing that you can use the images to grade by Report this Post to the Staff
syeb Valued Member United States 282 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 12:49 pm Well said. Report this Post to the Staff
T-BOP Rest in Peace United States 18456 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 1:16 pm I also agree with above . BU generally means MS-60-62 CH. BU MS-63-64 Gem BU MS-65-66 Superb gem bu >MS-67-68 Report this Post to the Staff
jgfindring Rest in Peace United States 1380 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 1:32 pm Only in real life T-BOP. On ebay, BU means "I can read the date", Choice BU means "There is a little shine somewhere (though it might be from where I polished it)", and Superb Gem BU means "I saw the words on someone elses auction and thought they sounded impressive", and my favorite, "RARE!" which means there were less than 100 million minted. Report this Post to the Staff
TheForce Pillar of the Community United States 4868 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 1:54 pm I always look at the pictures carefully. But you really never know if they have been doctored up. Plus there are many sellers who use "stock" photos. So all you really have is the sellers word. At the very least you do have some ebay protections even if the seller does not offer returns. Report this Post to the Staff
BStrauss3 Pillar of the Community United States 4592 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 2:23 pm Lewis Carroll (1832-98) said it best: Quote: "When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less." "The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things." On ebay, Alice, the answer is yes, words can mean so many different things. ATTRIBUTION: LEWIS CARROLL (Charles L. Dodgson), Through the Looking-Glass, chapter 6, p. 205 (1934). First published in 1872. -----Burton 50+ year / Life / Emeritus ANA member (joined 12/1/1973) Life member: Numismatics International, CONECA Member: TNA, FtWCC, NETCC, EveryCountry (online) coin club Owned by three cats and a wife of 40+ years (joined 1983) Author: 3rd Edition of the Sample Slabs book, https://www.sampleslabs.info/ Report this Post to the Staff
nss-52 Moderator United States 54282 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 2:24 pm I agree with everyone. On ebay, sellers as a whole do not adhere to any generally accepted grading standards. Some sellers stated grades do not have any connection with reality, are just hype, or are just plain lies. Show your financial support of the Coin Community Family (click here) See my topic on Mexican Numismatic Medals (click here) Report this Post to the Staff
KenKat Pillar of the Community United States 4085 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 2:41 pm Quote: I always look at the pictures carefully. But you really never know if they have been doctored up. My rule is that if I am not sure a coin has been doctored or not, I assume it's been doctored. I rule out a lot of coins this way but sometimes you will see one and you can tell it is original surfaces. BU - barely uncirculated Choice BU - I have chosen to call it uncirculated Gem BU - Gem-aight get lucky on this one My 7070 US Type Set My 7100 Lincoln Cent Set (now with updates!) Report this Post to the Staff
Coinfrog Bedrock of the Community United States 94367 Posts	Posted 09/30/2016 4:32 pm Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 9 / Views: 1,211

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: US Coins and Currency Forums Forum: US Modern Coin Grading

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.34 seconds to rattle this change.