A matter of semantics

I'll say it too. That's how it was back when I started (before TPG's and the "official" ANS grading). BU meant Brilliant or untoned, what we would call "blast white" today. A toned coin could not be BU.

 

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I agree toned UNC coins are not BU. The toning takes away from the luster.

I do not agree that all UNC coins, that aren't toned, are BU. Some lower grade UNC coins lack the luster to be classified "Brilliant" IMO.

 

Where DID you guys learn these "rules"? I basically gave up on ALL descriptive adjectives and went strictly to "Mint State" DECADES ago. To me, UNC and BU BOTH mean absolutely NOTHING. I consider them both "imprecise language".

 

https://coins.ha.com/tutorial/coin-grading.s

There is also an old thread here on CT I ran into a while ago

 

Yes but....

"Superb Gem Uncirculated (MS-67, 68, 69): An uncirculated coin with only the slightest distracting marks or imperfections. Toning is still quite acceptable and in these grades will usually be pleasing." [color emphasis mine]

This doesn't square with what I'm reading in this thread.

 

Speaking of "a matter of semantics", we're climbing all OVER that now, folks.

 

I think it has to do with the severity of the toning. Lightly toned UNC coins usually do show lots of luster still. My avatar is one of them. Heavily toned ones tend to look flat and lacking in luster. Especially classic silver coins. While they may grade in the "BU" range I wouldn't describe them as such.

 

I think even very heavily toned coins that are truly MS coins will STILL have luster under that toning... given enough light. Otherwise, yes, not MS.

 

I share the OPs pain and have also found out that an education is rarely free. I purchased an UNC Bullion Eagle that had, what I thought at the time, significant toning. I was disappointed to learn that as Eagles are never intended to be circulated they could all be considered UNC. eBay also agreed with that stance, so now older wiser and with 1oz of silver. I wonder if it had been described as BU I would have more of a case? These days I tend to buy from places I can trust.

 

The coin is BU--
Beat Up

 

In the immortal (immoral?) words of Chico Marx, "Sometimes a little bit is a whole lot and sometimes a whole lot is a little bit"

 

Language is a useful tool for beating people over the head with.

 

In what way? Yes MS 67, 68, and 69 can have toning, and they may be Gem Uncirculated, but they aren't Brilliant Uncirculated.

 

Not in any world I'm living in.