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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,747 |
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Valued Member
United States
322 Posts |
I really get confused with the terms BU AU, BU UNC and MS. Is Ef same as XF? Can BU UNC have a scratch or bag mark? I find it hard to get a BU Presidential dollar, they all get some kind of scar. If the face is scar free, can I call it BU? Or MS 65? Can somebody help me? Thanks |
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
First of all, BU is not AU. Some people use the abbreviation BU to describe a coin which is considered MS63 or there abouts. EF or XF is a personal preference. I use XF. AU is a coin which exhibits slight wear in different levels. An UNC (uncirculated) coin will have NO wear whatsoever. Samuel, I recommend a book called Photograde. It will explain the grades and show you what different levels of preservation look like. A better book is the PCGS Guide to Grading and Counterfeit Detection. swcoin.ecrater.com
Edited by vermontensium
06/26/2010 12:30 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
Here is a good link that should also describe these terms and more from this site found in the upper left hand side near the top of most any page you are on here titled Glossary. http://www.coincommunity.com/dictionary/Edited by TNG
06/26/2010 12:39 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1882 Posts |
It is confusing, isn't it?
MS = mint state
BU = brilliant uncirculated
UNC = uncirculated
XF or EF = extremely fine
AU = about uncirculated (not almost uncirculated)
Both UNC and BU are referring to coins that would have an MS grade. The MS grades are, as you know, MS60-MS70. Other terms used to refer to MS grades might be "select uncirculated" or "choice uncirculated"...referring to certain MS ranges. I see these terms used inconsistently in coin dealer ads.
Yes, MS coins (or UNC) can have bag marks and scratches. But as vermontensium said, not wear.
Edited by steve199
06/26/2010 12:44 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
A BU coin can have bag marks. Just not too many of them and not distracting major ones. UNC coins are ones that are between MS60 and MS63. These are the coins that have no circulation wear but too many bag marks or other distracting characteristics. So, it goes EX or EF, AU, UNC, BU, Choice BU, GEM BU (MS-65 or better) with excellent brilliance, eye appeal, ect.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
I'm no expert but I can help and the pros can chime in and correct
my misinformation tomorrow.Some of this is opinion and conjecture.
I collected coins years ago when coin were described by old school methods -poor,good,very good,fine,very fine,extra (extremely) fine,almost uncirculated and uncirculated. In the uncirculated division people would describe their coins as being brilliant uncirculated and gem uncirculated as well.
While I was away from the game professional grading developed as well as the grading companies we're all familiar with. Now it is a numeric system from 1-70 (2-70 ?) where 2 is poor and 70 is perfect. Numbers were given to the old method, like fine being 12 and very fine being 30, so the terms are used interchangeably. Uncirculated is 60 and things get interesting between 60 and 70 as far as controversy is concerned. I have my opinions but suffice to say big money can be made depending on a point or 2 in the uncirculated grades. I see the value of the grading companies in terms of legitimation of coins, but sometimes I feel were being played by these companies, but I digress, this is an argument for another time.
Anyway to answer your question more directly:
AU-almost uncirculated, very little wear,may be hard to see to the untrained eye
BU-brilliant uncirculated-a nice shiny uncirculated specimen
UNC and MS- are the same, as it left the mint, and unc coin can have bag marks, ie scratches, thus the lower grades of unc
EF and XF are the same extra fine so to speak
Once again this ramble is all IMHO
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3278 Posts |
As I put that reply together no had answered, I see already it's about uncirculated not almost uncicculated.
You guys are up as late as I am
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Valued Member
 United States
322 Posts |
Thank you Upstate,
Sorry for the late respond back. I really appreciate it.
In the mean time, I was sick, I got bad Gout again. Very painful, I almost fainted sometime. Or at least I felt that way, burst in cold sweat, light headed.
At least, I am back in business, still limping, but move on. I am going to put this activity a side a little to get my work going again before back.
Regards,
Samuel tan
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Pillar of the Community
United States
613 Posts |
Do you take any meds to keep the gout away? I suffered for years with it, no more.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1534 Posts |
Quote:
A BU coin can have bag marks. Just not too many of them and not distracting major ones. A coin, as long as it has no wear, can have all the bag marks in the world and still be considered BU. |
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Valued Member
United States
103 Posts |
Mr. Tan,
Your confusion seems to be over the MS and AU grades. Generally speaking, the MS grades are broken down by these factors, strike, bag marks, luster, and the overall eye appeal of the coin. Those with good strike, minimal bag marks, and highly lustrous will get higher grades of 64 and up. Baggy coins, weak or flat struck coins with indifferent luster will almost fall in the 60-62. This varies by coin series and composition. Toning is a whole separate characteristic and may enhance or detract from the value of MS coin, as it can hide some significant flaw.
That said, the major confusion over grading and overgraded coins is between AU55 and MS63, as the Basal state-0 and EF/XF-40 are pretty well covered by Photograde and it's ilk. Most collectors tend towards higher grades for modern U.S. Coins, and when the large coin syndicates sold coins in the 70s and 80s, most of which were slider AU/BUs, which in turn paved the way for the rise of the TPGs and slabbing. The interesting thing about these sliders is that they are generally more attractive than true Uncs in 60-62. They can pass for MS65 and up with a good strike, clean fields and superb eye appeal. That is, until one magnifies the high wear areas with 4x - 10xs magnification to see the slight gray areas that are rubbed and making these coins AU59, or rather should be marketed as "MS59" indicating unc look with AU++ detailing. The sliders are not bad collector coins, they should clearly never be advertised as Choice and Gem BU like they still are today, but the caveat still applies, if you pay for a Gem BU coin at AU book, expect to receive an AU coin. Some dealers were honest and called these coins by their true name, borderline uncirculated. There is no Santa Claus masquerading as a coin dealer! Numistists have a responsibility to learn as much about the series they are collecting, and this includes wear and strike characteristics, particularly for BU raw coins.
Good luck, sir & feel better soon.
P.S. If I ever open a restaurant, I'm gonna call it MS59, and have signature coin-themed dishes and drinks!
Edited by zazenboy
07/17/2010 10:45 pm
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Valued Member
United States
258 Posts |
Over the years I have seen some VERY UGLY examples of coins grading ms 60 to ms 63. The bag marks were absolutely hideous. This is why it is so important to inspect each coin thoroughly when buying them. As always let me remind everyone to buy the coin, not the container! Sincerely, John Leckrone
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,747 |
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Posted 06/26/2010 12:38 am
