Saw this coin up for auction: Is this an early predecessor to "Details" slabs, or "Improper Cleaning" slabs? I've never seen an NGC slab with this grade without an explanation! Thanks for your input!
Just guessing, but is that the equivalent of the BU grade for an not quite uncirculated coin? You can get them graded BU for a reduced cost.
Auction doesn't start for 2 more weeks, so there are no bids on it yet. They are just now putting their catalog together. I haven't been able to find out much more info on these types of slabs yet. Only found 2 others with the same type of NGC label on eBay, and neither mentioned anything derogatory about the coins. So perhaps what "rlm's cents" posted might be the answer. Perhaps the coin was sent to NGC to simply get a general grade rather than a more specific numerical grade. I'm not familiar with a program like that...
This is from a bulk submission where a minimum numerical grade was specified. Coins that didn't make that grade were slabbed as either Brilliant Uncirculated or as in the case of this coin Almost Uncirculated. The bulk submission was probably submitted in order to be used in a promotion, note the flag underprint on the label. These were often used by the TV coin sales shows.
Thanks Conder! I was not familiar with bulk submissions, and how they work. I guess when you back a truck up to the back door of NGC and dump hundreds if not thousands of coins on them, especially for a TV show or whatever, you're going to get what you pay for and in this instance, a general grade. One of the things I love about our hobby is that I learn something NEW each and every day. I am never bored!
For those of you who were curious, the coin went for $35 plus 13% buyers premium (39.55) (plus shipping of course!)