Coin terminology question

Someone told me today that GEM means ms-65. I always thought it was an uncirculated coin with good eye appeal. Can anyone clarify for me? I hope it doesn't mean ms-65 as I've said some coins appear gem to me on ebay before

 

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A coin normal with the term GEM is MS65....but I think you can say that you have a GEM MS63....to me every coin I find is a GEM in one way or another.

Speedy

 

Thanks for the clarification. I think I am going to stop calling coins gem just to be safe, or if I do say gem, offer a grade opinion with it.

 

"Gem", "choice", and the like are completely subjective terms, whereas MS#s are more or less (mostly less ) standardized designations.

When I can't see the coin, but I trust the describer, I have a pretty good idea what an "MS66" looks like, but only a WAG what he means by "gem".

 

choice gem brilliant borderline about uncirculated +... or XF for short.

 

Wasn't the GEM BU terminolgy used more often in the numistmatic world in the 60's and 70's?

 

To me gem means 65, choice gem 66, and superb gem is 67.

Choice is 63 and very choice is 64.

 

Mostly the term Gem, choice gem, brilliant, etc are terms that many dealers add on to a coin when they are pushing it as a really nice coin. As explained to me by a dealer, many individuals add one of these terms to a coins appearance where the coin has a jewel like appearance. Per some guy that wrote a thing called a dictionary gem means "something prized for great beaty and perfection". Somewhere on one these forums there is a fairly complete list of numismatic terms and abbreviations but just can't remember where.

 

There are standards for the terms.
MS-63 is Choice Uncirculated or Choice Brilliant Uncirculated (May or may not be Brilliant Uncirculated)
MS-65 is GEM Uncirculated or GEM Brilliant Uncirculated
MS-67 Superb GEM Brilliant Uncirculated (Must be Brilliant Uncirculated for Superb GEM BU)
I hope this helps,
Bill

 

If your interested in coin terminology, you may want to visit the PCGS web site and ask that same question there. One of the members posted a link to a massive amount of actual numismatist terminology. I printed it out at the time and it was 9 pages long but can't find it now.