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Message:: [QUOTE="yakpoo, post: 1731915, member: 18157"]When it comes to ASEs..."uncirculated" is more a description of the finish than anything else. As you say..."people don't use ASE to buy a $1 coke at the gas station". To step just a little beyond your question, the term "uncirculated", in general, has evolved over time. The term "Brilliant Uncirculated" used to mean that the coin appears the same "...as it did when it dropped from the die". Nowadays, folks throw around the term "BU" with no meaning at all. A toned coin is sometimes described as "BU". :rolling: It's become more a reference to "luster" than anything else. An Almost Uncirculated (AU) coin has (and should have) luster...that doesn't make it "BU"! Once a coin drops from the die, it's bagged, rolled, or processed in other ways before reaching the collector. The coin hasn't circulated, but can develop some very unsightly marks. Once collectors get a hold of them, the coins can develop "album rub" or "roll rub" ...or other marks that can give the appearance of circulation even if it's only had one owner. Some coins can have weak strikes...giving them the "appearance" of circulation when, in fact, they're BU! Walking Liberty halves are a good example of this. Bottom line...get to know the series you wish to collect before spending any serious money. [/QUOTE]