I think this is how it goes with grading terms: UNC- 60-62 BU- MS-63-64 Gem BU-MS-65-66 Superb Gem BU-67+ I could be wrong, but that's the way I read them. Phoenix
It is my understanding that UNC, BU, Gem BU... are conditions not grades. They may imply that the coin could grade within a certain range but its not specific. I label all my mint state coins BU or UNC until I am fairly certain that the coin is at least a certain grade. I feel grading to be TOO subjective for MS coins for me to stand my ground at any grade I choose. Allen
That is the generally accepted terminology. Problem is, not everybody follows it. Too many will describe a coin as Gem BU and it will be nowhere a 65 let alone a 66.
Coin World has this policy in the back in the advertising section and rules page: Borderline Unc cannot be called BU Unc, BU, and Select BU must be a min of MS-60 Choice Bu must be a minimum of MS-63 Gem BU must be a minimum of MS-65 Superb BU must be a minimum of MS-67 But to whose standards? The sellers opinion............
Learned something new today. To me BU just mean unc and the rest like "gem bu" meant the seller wanted more money. I did not know there was an intended grade range. Now if I can just remember it.
You only have to remember long enough to get a two page spread, Mark, sell those Superb Gems and watch the money roll in !!!
My understanding is that BU is the MS-60 to MS-62 range. It's a nebulous grade and really requires a person to be able to grade UNC coins accurately. One person's Choice BU is another person's BU.
I like this Jack. Thanks for posting this because of what I'm about to say. The next in line would or should be "Phenomenal BU must be minimum of MS-68. Followed by the next in line to be "Insane BU must be minimum of MS-69. Then the creme del la creme "Unbelievable BU a perfect MS-70. I'm not taking a cheap shot at you Jack, but it cracks me up how the market place uses the BU to spin a coin like house trader would try to sell a lame thoroughbred. It just seems to muddy the waters that should be quite clear. My feeling is just use BU to indicate the coin is at least uncirculated and maintains mint luster. Just my opinion, and I know what that means...haha. Allen
you used to see these descriptions of grades ,bu,choice bu, gem bu before the slabbing and certification companies emerged. the grades of 61,62,64, ect. developed shortly thereafter. bidding w/o photos in mail order auctions were a little tougher then. no instant pics to see. grading still remains subjective regardless of numbers or descriptive words. imagine buying in the early 1900's and later w/ terms like semi proof and brilliant semi-good. in an early ana convention, 2 well known numismatist dealers engaged in a fistfight/wrestling match over descriptive terms used in catalogs. more of this is probably prevented now thru advent of the internet!!!!.......steve
LOL....no cheap shot received. Rather, my post was just about policy, then the statement that it is the sellers opinion..... The main folks using those descriptions are the 2 page ad gang whom I'd never in a million years buy anything from.
