| Author |
 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,740 |
|
|
New Member
United States
19 Posts |
I'm new.. so this is probably a silly question, but its the only way I'm going to learn.. I keep seeing people pulling a cent out of a brinks and they say this is a BU (brilliant uncirculated).. so.. thats confusing to me. .what is a BU? if BU stands for brilliant uncirculated, why are people pulling this out of a brinks roll? I have a bunch of "pretty shiny" zincolns that I've pulled from my brinks, are these considered BU? and if so, do they re-sell at all?
|
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3077 Posts |
well that is the fine line and it has to deal I belive with the grade of the coin not so much as where you found it. if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck....
as far as reselling them it all depends on the year and other factors ie large date/small date RPM,DDO,DDR
now I hope some experts will chime in on this
DO NOT take my word as expert advise this is just my belly button(opinion) we all have one
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
yotie is correct, it is all about condition. The term "uncirculated" really confuses a lot of people but it is not to be taken literally. I am not an expert either but this one I know. Also BU is used liberally but when you want to grade, the MS terms are more accurate.Just remember that coins from the mint are not handled gently and will have nicks and scratches even when uncirculated.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2270 Posts |
Tip a coin between your eye and a light source until it is almost horizontal. You'll see that the high points of the design just rise above the surface of the coin. Now tip it and look at these high points straight on. The tips of these points should be the same color and shinyness as the rest of the coin. You'll need to repeat this process several times the first time you look at a new coin and repeat it for the reverse as well.
Wear always attacks a coin from these high points first. If the high points aren't worn then the coin's condition is "Uncirculated". If there's even minimal wear it is "AU" even if it's very pretty.
Coins don't show wear immediately from handling. If they did then a bag of brand new coins would be mostly just AU's. It takes a quarter about six transactions on average to show wear and a penny will after about four. These are averages though and a day in a workmen's pockets can wear a coin to XF.
Time don't fly, it bounds and leaps.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1450 Posts |
cladking,well put! and the hands on description is very useful for beginners.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
Agree with cladking. It's possible to pull BU/MS coins from circulation. If a coin has minimal handling in it's life, it can still be mint state. This is always a point of confusion for new collectors.
Also, the term BU is GROSSLY mis-used. In order to qualify the coin must be TRUELY brilliant and not darkened, toned or otherwise exhibt impared luster. All of the original, fresh mint bloom should show.....otherwise it is simply and MS coin.
|
|
New Member
United States
14 Posts |
This is really good stuff, I have always wondered the same thing myself. Now that I know "uncirculated" is not to be taken literally that really clears a lot up. Seems like there's a lot of knowledge on this forum, I'm glad I found it.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
594 Posts |
 jfoto757 & prorider0 Edited by KenRingold
02/24/2011 4:12 pm
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
9104 Posts |
Essentially, any coin is circulated once it leaves the mint. Since it would be almost impossible to know exactly where a coin has been and if it was handled, we use a prima facie grading system: If it shows no evidence of use, it is considered MS. Sorta like if you see no kids, mom is a virgin.
It galls me when I see a fingerprint on an MS graded coin. A print is clear evidence that the coin has been handled, so no way can it be considered uncirculated.
|
| |
Replies: 8 / Views: 1,740 |
|
Posted 02/24/2011 10:37 am
