Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="desertgem, post: 1515480, member: 15199"]BU means "brilliant uncirculated" , and the definition as to a MS type of grade will vary by different people. In older days, it just meant that it was a minimum classification and was MS-60 or better, and Choice BU were MS-63, Gem were MS-65, but these are very hazy at best. In reality today a roll labeled BU can mean they are all MS-60 or above at best. Some may not be brilliant, some may not be MS-60 even, as many rolls are assembled, and grading is not the expertise of many sellers. That is why I suggested holding them for a while and only sending the best when you do. This will allow more time to see graded coins and form your own idea of grade and seeing how the market agrees. Grading requires a person to evaluate a coin in the aspect of appearance, what catches the eye, the cartwheel effect as one rotates and tilts it, any blemishes , toning, corrosion, color ( Red, RB, or Brown) and then with a magnifier, physical defects such as bag marks, dings, scratches, etc. for a Grade aspect.  Almost certainly, a new grader will be higher than an experienced grader as the brain allows first impressions of appearance ( the WOW factor if any) to take precedence. This can certainly occur with toned or error coins. Of course this is my thoughts, Jim[/QUOTE]