What exactly is "Gem BU"...

So I ordered some rolls of "Gem BU" Ike dollars. What should I expect? MS60? MS65? ???

What's the official and/or unoffical definition of "Gem BU"?

Thanks.

 

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I believe it goes like this:

BU - MS60-61
Choice BU- MS62-63
Gem BU - MS64-65
Choice Gem BU- MS65+

 

I always thought bu was for ms60-ms64 and gem was for ms65 up

 

BU means brightly uncirculated, doesn't necessarily means a guaranteed grade.

 

And depending on the seller, maybe some sliders (AU-58), IMO.
​

 

I see them as "marketing" terms now for higher quality coins that aren't slapped with a professional grade already.

 

Gem BU varies if selling or if buying part of the reason firms Like PCGS and NGC came into being.

 

you may get this???

 

probably 64 - 65. It could be 63 if it was a high end. all personal preference.

 

If it's coming from ebay and stated "GEM" anything, you should be happy if they are MS-60 or better.
L@@K GEM MONSTER RAINBOW TONED CHOICE WOW

 

Thanks for the replies.

This is from a big seller so hopefully there's at least some MS64s in there. Quite frankly that's all I'm hoping for. Will keep everyone advised.

PS: James that's an awesome Ike! Too bad the date is totally gone or you could get it slabbed as probably the most worn Ike ever.

 

I just love it when they talk down to you, like you are some little kid, when they say "WOW". It's actually their mentality showing up "child like" by thinking this will be the trigger word that makes you want to purchase the item.

 

you sure about that,it sounds like a good deal

 

In the case of this seller, if "Gem BU" is advertised, I would expect every single coin to be at least MS-65 or higher.

Grossly and poorly used numismatic terms:

Select
Choice
Gem
BU

One of my pet peeves is when a Lincoln seller decribes a coin as BU. Then you look and it's BROWN. Sorry pal, that coin is NOT "brilliant"....the correct term is "MS BROWN".


As a collector, I really, really hate those terms because they are so often used incorrectly and just to confuse people. If you're not good enough to assign an actual numeric grade, you should NOT be selling coins. If you're not sure, just say MS-63/64.....for God's sake, you should be able to get a grade within a couple of points.

 

Remember, Gem BU was a term widely used before the fractional grades came on the scene.

 

That's not an IKE, it's a Blue man.

 

It means whatever the seller wants it to mean.