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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;cladking, post: 27473, member: 68&quot;]A coin grades uncirculated until there is enough accumulation of wear at the high points to cause a break in the luster.&nbsp; Theoretically a coin could circulate for years and remain uncirculated if everyone were careful with it and handle it only by the edges and keep it out of coin counters and vending machines.&nbsp; In practice, of course, this is impossible and the average clad quarter will recieve enough abuse that it will have luster breaks after only about six transactions.&nbsp; It may also pick up some more bagmarks and other signs of collisions with other objects but it is the integrity of the luster which determines if it&#039;s mint state or not.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>With any coin you can spot the high points by tipping it nearly horizontal with an incandescent&nbsp; light opposite.&nbsp; The high points will appear to rise above the surface.&nbsp; Now look at these points from other angles.&nbsp; They will normally have the same color and texture if the coin is uncirculated.&nbsp; If these points are grey or covered with fine scratches then the coin is circulated.&nbsp; Some older coins are almost always found with a &quot;rub&quot; on the high spots and the convention at the current time is to grade them unc anyway.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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