What exactly does "Brilliant Uncirculated" mean?? How about "Gem Uncirculated?"

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by definer, Jan 31, 2013.

  1. definer

    definer definitely....! LOL

    I have 5 slabbed coins (3 NGC Morgans and 1 each PCGS/NGC ASE) that have the above designations. The PCGS ASE shows BU on the slab but in the NGC Collection Manager it shows as "UNC Details." None of the coins have values associated with them in the representative price guides. They were bought early in my foray into slabbed coins and I just want to know what the terms mean. I know they're worth at least melt.

    Ken
     
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  3. Kirkuleez

    Kirkuleez 80 proof

    These designations were put on slabs that were done in bulk submissions really cheaply. Their value is essentially the same as raw coins.
     
  4. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    This line edited because of 19Lyds' post, #5.

    Tis line remains:
    The NGC would grade at least MS60, but it has some damage. Deep scratch, rim ding, etc.
     
  5. 19Lyds

    19Lyds Member of the United States of Confusion

    Hmmm. Aren't these old terms which can be loosley translated into numeric grades such as Brilliant Uncirculated being MS63, Choice Brilliant Uncirculated being MS64 and Gem Brilliant Uncirculated being MS65?

    Granted, Silver Eagles are a different cat than say common business strikes in that an MS65 Silver Eagle ain't nothing to write home to Mom about but an MS65 Morgan would be.
     
  6. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    "Gem" is also used to differentiate proofs. A proof with cameo would get a CAM or DCAM designation on a slab, but a proof without any (or minimal) cameo is frequently referred to as a "Gem Proof", although the TPG's don't include "GEM" on the inserts.
     
  7. definer

    definer definitely....! LOL

    Are you saying they don't include it on the proofs or on any coin?

    capture27.jpg
     
  8. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Well obviously they include it on uncirculated coins. They may do it for bulk submission proofs - I'm not sure. But if the coin is being graded with a number, you won't see GEM - at least I haven't. A proof without cameo will simply have a number, for instance: PR69. If it has any cameo you'll see PR69CAM or PR69DCAM if it's PCGS. NGC abbreviates "proof" as PF, and instead of DCAM they use UCAM (ultra-cameo).
     
  9. CoinCast

    CoinCast Member

    I can say I have never seen GEM UNC on a slab before. Interesting.
     
  10. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    Neither have I. I've only seen it used colloquially, among collectors, to signify a proof that doesn't have any significant cameo contrast.
     
  11. definer

    definer definitely....! LOL

    Now I don't feel so bad for not being able to find anything on it. I may take it to a local coin show this weekend and see what some of the dealers say.
     
  12. John Anthony

    John Anthony Ultracrepidarian

    What happened with your coin is that somebody submitted a bulk lot of ASE's and only wanted coins above a certain grade to get numbers. The rest got put into generic slabs. It doesn't really matter, market value-wise, what that slab says. The value of the coin is the same as the value of a raw coin of the same grade.
     
  13. Lehigh96

    Lehigh96 Toning Enthusiast

    These are the result of bulk submissions that have a minimum grade for a numerical grade. For example, if the submitter wanted only Silver Eagles to have a numerical grade if they were MS69 or MS70, they could save money on a large bulk submission by having all coins that don't meet MS69 standards lumped into the GEM Uncirculated category. After all, there is very little difference in price between an MS65 and MS68 certified Silver Eagle. Registry collectors want only MS69 or MS70. Anything less is essentially sold as bullion.
     
  14. BigTee44

    BigTee44 Well-Known Member


    I have a 2006 $5 eagle NGC graded Gem Unc. Don't know why they didn't give it a grade but I bought it like that.
     
  15. silverfool

    silverfool Active Member

    I got 3 of those ('07s) from that big PM pusher in east Texas. they were part of a suck you in promotion. sold 2 for a good profit and kept one just for fun. as stated they just take them out of the mint tube and stick them in the slab cheap, no grader required, just an assembly line process.
     
  16. wcoins

    wcoins GEM-ber

    Anywhere from 60 to 64. Perhaps the dealer was looking for gems only and opted for cheaper BU label for anything that didn't make 65+
     
  17. Jamie mcpherson

    Jamie mcpherson New Member

    1986 silver eagle ms 70. Forgot the date sorry
     
  18. Jamie mcpherson

    Jamie mcpherson New Member

    I have a gem silver eagle ms 70. I'm not sure what the gem means. I was looking to see how much it may be worth but can't find anything in it.
     
  19. green18

    green18 Unknown member Sweet on Commemorative Coins Supporter

    'Gem' means superior eye appeal. As to the worth.......it's basically a honkin' hunk o' silver and most folks (stackers) won't give you much over melt. If you can find a person who collects slabbed bullion there could be a premium associated with the piece.
     
  20. rickmp

    rickmp Frequently flatulent.

    It was probably in a bulk submission. Gem means that it didn't meet the minimum grade requested by the submitter.
     
  21. Cascade

    Cascade CAC Variety Nerd

    Gem uncirculated means ms65-70

    Choice uncirculated means ms60-64

    Why do you think your coin is an ms70? Is it slabbed as such and if so by which grading company?
     
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