Not really to me...a proof is a proof...but some people use it when saying that a proof coin is just really great...they might say it is a GEM PF66 or such. Speedy
"Gem", "Choice", "Brilliant" and combinations of two or all three, are alternative terms for high grade proof and mint state coins, in common usage before the Sheldon numbers became so popular.
but they arent real grades right? like a proof penny is the same or could be the same as a gem proof penny right?
Mostly the adjectival grades are in the eye of the beholder. SELECT, CHOICE, GEM, SUPERB, HOTTER THAN A PISTOL, all are subject to the standards of the person making the claim. In the early days of numerical grading (the old days), there was a descriptive conversion list: UNC or BU (MS60), SELECT BU (MS63), CHOICE BU (MS65), GEM BU (MS67), and SUPERB GEM BU (>MS67)
yes thank you but im not understanding, this will help, please answer yes or no. If a coin is graded or whatever somewhere and it says Gem Proof, does the gem mean anything, or is the person just making it sound better?
So far as I know, there are no laws defining "real" coin grades. If you want to create "Spider Grades" on a scale of 1 to 200, go ahead.
Do not buy a coin simply because someone calls it a GEM. I think most of the time, the person is just trying to make the coin sound better. Remember, what is a GEM to one person might not be a GEM to another person. The seller has a right to think of his coin any way he pleases, and the buyer is entitled to his opinion, too. It is really the knowledgeable buyer who decides what a coin is worth, otherwise there will be no sale. Make sure YOU like the coin before you buy it, regardless of what the seller says.
I use the GEM designation with my collection. I don't feel I am really qualified or experienced enough to assign an actual number designation. I just stick with the simple letter designations, F,VF,XF,AU,BU and PRF. If I run across a better than usual example I will then use the GEM BU or GEM PRF designation just to distinguish it from the standard examples. For my F-AU coins, I do the same thing but use a "+" to distinguish finer examples, F+, VF+, etc. I use these designations not to increase the value of certain coins but just a simple way to help me keep track of the better specimens in my collection.
Steve I do part of what you od---if I see a coin that would grade better than F-12 but not VF I will grade it F+ or VF. When I sell a coin I go by the lower grade just to be safe. Today I moved most of my collection to Safe-Flips (Sp?) and boy does it look good!!! Now I need to do the rest. Speedy
