Brilliant Uncirculated

I see BU alot on ebay and such. What is the compairson between BU and MS? its a bit confusing.

 

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My opinion of BU (brilliant uncirculated) is that it's MS-65+ with great luster. MS (mint state) is what it is, uncirculated just like it came from the mint. So they to me are close to the same thing, but BU means higher end of the MS scale. Not positive if thats exactly what it is, but that my take on it.

 

My expectations on BU is a trifle less. MS-63.....

 

Yeah 63 is probably closer.

 

BU usually applies to lower grade MS coins, MS-60 to MS-62 (and sometimes MS-63). Higher grade coins would be Choice BU and Select BU.

 

Love the avatar Bruce....

 

When I see a raw coin listed as BU on ebay my subconscious sends me straight to look at the photo to determine for myself the best I can. It's kind of like some sellers listing every coin as "rare"...IMO BU is a generic term used to label a mint state coin.

 

And I believe you would be wise in considering that sir....

 

Generally speaking the 2 terms are interchangable.
On eBay though, the 2 terms are used to describe pure crap just as often as they are used correctly.

 

Thanks. I had to have something for the holidays and that one won out. I have no idea what I will use next. Wait and see.

 

Always love awaiting the newest "Hobo'" avatar....

 

On Ebay the term BU could mean anything from a whizzed Fine to a top-pop that someone doesn't even realize they have.

Here's the PCGS definition:

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

 

Mint State- The terms mint state and uncirculated are interchangeable and refer to coins showing no trace of wear.

Gem uncirculated - MS-65 or better (above average uncirculated coin)
Choice uncirculated -MS-63-64 (Some distracting marks luster MAY be impaired)
Uncirculated MS-60-62 (no trace of wear surfaces may be spotted or lacking luster)

As described in Red Book.

BU is open to interpretation. IMO BU is an uncirculated coin that is flashy, and full of luster. Personally i would expect a BU coin to grade at least MS-63. If you purchase coins on ebay, and at flea markets ect you will see the term BU used to describe all kinds of junky coins.

 

I'm old school. Way back when, when I learned grading it simply meant a n uncirculated coin that was "Brilliant" or untoned. So to me it does not relate to any specific MS grade.

 

................and it also means that the coin is not worth the expense of grading. There are some nationally known dealers in Coin World who often use "BU" to sell the coins that did not meet their minimum grade requirements on their bulk submissions.

Chris

 

Here is what I thought was a good definition:

http://coins.about.com/od/coinsglossary/g/BU_coin_defined.htm

A BU coin is a coin that has never been circulated, and retains all of its original mint luster. BU stands for Brilliant Uncirculated. This term is used less frequently now that the Sheldon scale of numerical grading has come into vogue. A BU coin is usually described as MS (Mint State) today, and generally falls into the lowest MS grades (MS-60 through MS-62.) Higher MS grades are designated as "Choice BU" (MS-63 and MS-64) and "Gem BU" (MS-65 plus).

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On eBay, many sellers use BU because you are not allowed to put a specific grade (such as MS-63) in an auction title unless it is certified by one of the approved TPG's (PCGS, NGC or ANACS).

Some sellers abuse the term BU but it does have it's usefulness. I see it a lot for Lincoln cents which are often not worth slabbing except for a handful of dates.

 

One that comes to mind......."Premium Quality Brilliant Uncirculated". Sliders.......