"I guess my point is that people are gonna call things what they want to call them. Whether it be correct or incorrect they really don't care." Many consider this attitude as "IGNORANCE IS BLISS." "There is no grade that is called uncirculated." That's not true. Both the Red Book and the ANA Grading Guide use the grade "Uncirculated."
The problem with this definition is that unless you personally witness the coin being removed from a mint sealed bag that was opened in front of you,or personally see the coin being removed from the cash register drawer, you have no idea what it's previous history was before. So if you have a coin that has full original surfaces and luster, but you haven't personally witnessed its prior history, what do you call it? Err on the safe side and call it AU? If so them 99.999% of all the MS coins out there in slabs are over graded and no better than AU. Since you can't know the history of the coin, all you can go by is the phyisical appear that it presents NOW. Original surfaces and full luster, it is Uncirculated no matter what it may have done in its unknown past.
In my opinion, the definition listed in the Red Book (much like the prices)...is incorrect and confusing.
Here is a nice one picked out of a roll of quarters. Believe it to be an uncirculated, but shows nice signs of circulation tarnish.
I would believe that that for one by the color of the Tarnish would with out a doubt get Au, I would also think that most anything that you would pull from circ. Albeit, cwr or, pocket change. unless it is blast white or, red, it would get an Questionable color. Hence, if you think that it is Uncirculated hold on to it for some years before grading. I have been through this conversation in my head every day for many years, Thanks for posting the question. @usmc60
People will only believe what they want to believe. Julius Caesar Do not correct a fool, or he will hate you; correct a wise man, and he will appreciate you. Proverbs 9-8[/QUOTE] A wise man who decides who is a fool, already determined he is above others. The truly wise, remain the humble student knowing the fool can be the wisest of them all for arrogance to present.
Courtesy of Heritage auctions. And can be seen in their glossary of terms. Uncirculated A coin or numismatic item that has never been in circulation, a coin without wear. Also see: Brilliant Uncirculated, Mint State, and New NumisMedia Glossary of Numismatic Terms Circulated A term applied to a coin that has wear, ranging from slight rubbing to heavy wear. And they wonder why so many people get confused.USMC60 Well as anyone can plainly see I looking at this coin. What is happened here is the nickel layer is disintegrating. Maybe in a couple more years if it was in circulation it would be known as a missing clad layer. And as far as the color it is a good copper tarnish.
