Tell someone what BU means

[Shingpumps]

Does this look BU to you? :LOL_Hair:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190221456939&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=009

[Steven]

BUt still a hard one for some of us to find:sad:

[Shingpumps]

To me, BU does not mean MS. When I use the term Brilliant Unc. I mean the coin will grade over MS65. Do I make sense or am I thinking about it to much?

[Steven]

To me, BU does not mean MS. When I use the term Brilliant Unc. I mean the coin will grade over MS65. Do I make sense or am I thinking about it to much?


To me, BU doesn't mean much. I don't believe it to be a grade and I am not sure why it is even used except for promotional purposes. I would think a grade like MS60 Red, R/B or Brown would suffice. Just my opinion. Maybe someone else has a handle on the terms accual purpose. :squigglemouth:

[Steven]

I just searched and found this for definitions of Brilliant Uncirculated (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/brilliant_uncirculated.html).

[Shingpumps]

Usually implies full mint (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/mint.html) lustre (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/lustre.html).(US: MS-67 (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/ms-67.html))
FDC (Fleur de Coin (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/coin.html)): Perfect mint state (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/mint_state.html), with no abrasions (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/abrasions.html) or marks (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/marks.html), and full lustre (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/lustre.html). Usually applied to proof coin (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/proof_coin.html)s only, or coins from sealed mint set (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/mint_set.html)s. (US: MS-70 (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/ms-70.html)) ...
This is what I think of when I hear BU. What does everyone else think? Do you use BU loosely?

[OCD]

Usually implies full mint (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/mint.html) lustre (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/lustre.html).(US: MS-67 (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/ms-67.html))
FDC (Fleur de Coin (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/coin.html)): Perfect mint state (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/mint_state.html), with no abrasions (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/abrasions.html) or marks (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/marks.html), and full lustre (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/lustre.html). Usually applied to proof coin (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/proof_coin.html)s only, or coins from sealed mint set (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/mint_set.html)s. (US: MS-70 (http://en.mimi.hu/numismatic/ms-70.html)) ...
This is what I think of when I hear BU. What does everyone else think? Do you use BU loosely?
I agree, it's used way too much for subpar coins.

[AgCollector]

I was reading somewhere recently the history of the term BU; I'll have to see if I can find it. Personally, I take it to mean uncirculated with mint luster and no or minimal toning or spotting.

[AgCollector]

One meaning: Looking through lincoln cents, 2nd edition, page 20-21:

"Uncirculated rolls of coins that bear the same mintmark and that were rolled by either a major bank or a currency holding and transportation company, such as Brinks or Wells Fargo, are often referred to as 'B.U. rolls.'"

[Wheat Cents]

Regarding Lincolns: There are a many grades between MS 63 Red - MS 67 Red. All too often the term BU is used by those who either do not know or do not wish to place a grade on a mint state Lincoln.

However, knowing the difference and how to grade high quality original mint state Lincolns is one of the best things a Lincoln Cent Collector can attain. That talent alone will serve him/her well and protect his investment.

[Shingpumps]

Regarding Lincolns: There are a many grades between MS 63 Red - MS 67 Red. All too often the term BU is used by those who either do not know or do not wish to place a grade on a mint state Lincoln.

However, knowing the difference and how to grade high quality original mint state Lincolns is one of the best things a Lincoln Cent Collector can attain. That talent alone will serve him/her well and protect his investment.
That is true:D

[DWK]

I was reading somewhere recently the history of the term BU; I'll have to see if I can find it. Personally, I take it to mean uncirculated with mint luster and no or minimal toning or spotting.

I agree, BU is unc. with full mint lustre. Long before the grading services and before the popularity of the numeric scale for all coins, dealers used terms like unc., Brilliant unc., choice BU, BU Gem, proof like etc. to differentiate the levels of unc. coins.

[eaxtellcoin]

Good point wheat, The definition I was taught is any coin grading MS60-MS62 is an Uncerculated piece red or Brown. BU grades are for MS63+ coins and that is why dealer blue sheets have different prices for RED, Red/Brown , and Brown all for better than MS63... I would call a coin BU as long as, in my opinion, it grades better than MS63 or it is holdered MS63+.

[Shingpumps]

I agree, I take BU meaning at the least MS63

[eaxtellcoin]

Oh, one other thing... Remember when buying a coin, the picture is everything. a dealer will usually state a coin is Unc with moderate problems, die scratches, bright toning if the color is questionable... My problem has been Bright rolls that are way to bright for an original BU. Seen many rolls like this of late. The person takes a nice colored original roll with maybe some haze from the wrapper or grease spotting from where it was stored and dippes the whole roll looking for the big $$$$ that a Original BU roll would bring.... Whoops got of on a tangent sorry:~

[DWK]

I agree, I take BU meaning at the least MS63

In my opinion BU means Brilliant Uncirculated, and Brilliant means full Red Shiney Lustre. I don't call it BU unless its shiny original red, even if its MS67 Brown, (which is unusual but does happen especially on older coins like Indian Heads).

Of course that is only my old guy non expert opinion.:D

[eaxtellcoin]

OK Guys, if some of you would be interested in what a die variety author believes; look at page 55 at the bottom. The Complete Price Guide and Cross Reference to Lincoln Cent Mint Mark Variety's by Brian Allen/John Wexler:
Quote/ REMINDER: For the purpose of this book, UNC= MS60 to MS62 and BU=MS63+. For extremly nice gem coins the premiums are significantly higher. /Quote