Uncirculated Coin
From Susan Headley, former About.com Guide
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UNITED STATES UNCIRCULATED COIN SETS
Prices are for sets in the original, government packaging.
Uncirculated Coins
Coins with no wear at all are referred to as uncirculated or in mint state (MS). Grades from MS-60 to MS-70 in one point increments are used for mint state coins.
Uncirculated Coin- A coin that has never actually been used as money and has no visible signs of wear.
Uniface - A coin that is just strike in one side.
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Uncirculated coin - An uncirculated coin may describe its manufacturing process, may refer to the quality of its grade, or may mean it is a coin not used for monetary exchange.
Five Good Sources For Coin Collecting Information ...
Uncirculated coins fall into two broad categories: Proof (PF or PR) and Mint State (MS). Mint State coins were originally meant for circulation but never were circulated, so they remain in the same condition today as when they were minted.
Uncirculated coins are those coins that are not showing any wear and tear or to referred to as in mint condition. A mint state (MS) grading depends on a coins luster, contact marks, hair lines and overall appeal.
Uncirculated coins made with specially prepared dies so the coins would have a beautiful satin finish-smooth, but not as shiny as a proof.
Series
collection of coins containing all mint marks and dates for a specific value and design.
An uncirculated coin shows no evidence of wear on its surface. When first minted the entire surface of a coin displays a bright gleaming luster. Very delicate, it is the first to wear from circulation.
An Uncirculated coin grading MS-63 or MS-64.
circulated
A term applied to a coin that has wear, ranging from slight rubbing to heavy wear.
An uncirculated coin with above average strike and lustre, and fewer abrasions or bag marks that usual. Official standards associate this adjective with the Sheldon numerical grade MS-65.
In an uncirculated coin these will be sharply-defined. The apex of the square jewel will be a sharp point and the rectangular jewel will have a sharp ridge. The "pearls" will not show any hint of flatness.
4. Struts at the sides of the crown ...
Superb Uncirculated coins are very elusive, as even coins stored in hoards were apt to be jostled about in bags. Proofs were minted at Philadelphia and in each instance are rare.
Type IX
1908-1929 Indian Head ...
Because uncirculated coins are in the greatest demand for investing and collecting, we will concentrate on these coins in this booklet. The quality of even uncirculated coins varies widely. For example, each of the regional U.S.
MS-60 An Uncirculated coin. This coin exhibits no trace of wear but may show a number of detracting contact marks, and the surface may be spotted or lack a brilliant luster. Rims may be nicked. Eye appeal is poor.
A set of uncirculated coins from a year comprising coins from each Mint that produced them.
Mint State
A grade of a business strike coin that has never been in circulation. It may have many marks, or none at all.
A brilliant uncirculated coin, with a matte, even surface
Bullion
An investment coin made of precious metal ...
1980 MINT 6 UNCIRCULATED COIN SET COINS
1972 MINT 5 UNCIRCULATED COIN SET COINS COA HARD CASE
1776 - 1976 MINT 6 UNCIRCULATED COIN SET COINS CASE ...
Prooflike: An uncirculated coin having received special minting treatment and a mirror surface for the benefit of collectors with minor imperfections due to the minting process permissible.
American Eagle Uncirculated Coins for Collectors
American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coin
Place cursor over image to see the reverse ...
The grading of uncirculated coins is far more subjective. Since an uncirculated coin shows no wear and all the details which were originally struck are visible, the grading question becomes one of judging visual impact and general attractiveness.
Mint Roll
Uncirculated coins wrapped by the issuing mint of a certain quantity.
Mint Set
Set of uncirculated coins packaged and sold by the mint. Read more about Mint Sets here.....
MS - Mint State, Uncirculated coins graded from 60-70
Pr. - Proof
Cr. Unc. - Crisp Uncirculated, a new piece of paper money which has not been in circulation.
Wear - Once an uncirculated coin is touched, a small portion of the luster is removed. This is called wear.
Whizzing - The process of attempting to add luster to a coin by polishing the coin with a buffing wheel.
Mint set
A group of Uncirculated coins from a particular year, usually comprising coins from each Mint.
Mint set toning
Term referring to toning acquired by coins after years of storage in their original cardboard holders.
Mint Set
Set of uncirculated coins packaged and sold by the mint. Read more about Mint Sets here.....
Mis-strike
Off center striking of a coin.
Cartwheel (1) Another name for any silver dollar, (2) a term used to describe the coruscating luster often seen on a Blazer Uncirculated coin, (3) England's hefty 1797 copper twopenny coin.
For example, Choice AU-55 represents an especially select About Uncirculated coin (typical About Uncirculated being AU-50).
mint mark Variation of mintmark mint set A set of Uncirculated coins from a particular year comprising coins from each Mint.
Overdipping can ruin the lustre on an uncirculated coin. DDO Double Die Obverse DDR Double Die Reverse DK Dark DMPL Deep Mirror Prooflike EF Extremely Fine EF+ Extremely Fine 43 EF-AU Extremely Fine 48, ...
a coin produced for general circulation (as opposed to a proof or uncirculated coin specially made for collectors).
bust:
a portrait on a coin, usually including the head, neck and upper shoulders.
clad coinage: ...
Most often used as "borderline uncirculated", indicating a high grade almost uncirculated coin. Such a coin might fall in the range of AU55 to AU59 in the coin grading point scale.. bourse - see "show".
DMPL - Deep Mirror Proof Like - Describes an uncirculated coin or silver dollar that is not a proof, but exhibits the mirror like qualities of a proof coin.
Due to high-speed production techniques, even uncirculated coins may show slight imperfections such as minor bag marks or tiny rim indentations, especially on larger coins.
Rub Light friction, usually noticeable on an otherwise fully Uncirculated coin. A blazer that might fetch $10,000 drops to perhaps $1000 with rub.
Uncirculated coins came in cellophane with a blue plastic token in a blue envelope. Proof issues came in a proof set-like plastic case in a fancy brown wood colored box with a gold seal on back.
What I find somewhat disturbing is the move in the direction of increasingly precise standards for the grading of uncirculated coins. Logic would suggest that for each difference in grade there should be a corresponding difference in value.
European coin collectors think that this American system of grading uncirculated coins is just downright crazy.
Sometimes, other systems sneak into the numbered system.
By contrast, business strikes, made for circulation, were saved only as a matter of chance, and the rarity of Uncirculated coins from the original business strike mintages often bears no relation to the quantities originally produced.
Not all Uncirculated coins are of equal quality. They may have defects that resulted from mishandling at the mint, some loss of detail resulting from poor strike or overuse of the dies which struck the coin.
Since uncirculated coins would have been more closely scrutinized, these coins were made to look older and likely were mixed in with other circulated genuine silver dollars.
There will always be differences of opinion in grading; however, if an uncirculated coin's problems prevent it from being certified by either PCGS or NGC that coin will probably be valued at less than the equivalent certified grade in the marketplace.
Because of their size and weight, uncirculated coins stored in Mint bags will show scattered contact marks. Proofs often are hairlined from the careless handling of early non-numismatic owners or will show evidence of cleaning by old-time collectors.
With a dropoff in demand for new Ike dollars, the Mint opted to strike only enough of the 1973 edition to fulfill orders for uncirculated coin sets from collectors.
Before you decide you should really familiarise yourself with the coin in question to get an idea of the general quality of non slabbed uncirculated coins on the market. A good example may be the 1948Y penny.
- Proof like - Used to describe any uncirculated coin with a mirror like reflective surface but lacking the full characteristics of a proof.
- Quarter eagle - A United States two and one half dollar gold coin.
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Uncirculated coins are manufactured using the same process as circulating coins, but with quality enhancements such as slightly higher coining force, early strikes from dies, special cleaning after stamping, and special packaging.
Minor abrasions on an otherwise uncirculated coin, caused by handling in mint bags.
Banknote:
A promissory note issued by a bank in useful denominations, payable to bearer and intended to be circulated as money.
Bullion: ...
Furthermore, grading standards for some uncirculated coins have changed since slabs were first produced (1986), so a coin in an early slab may may receive a different grade if resubmitted now.
A set of Uncirculated coins from a particular year comprising coins from each Mint. (Usually, this term refers to government issued Mint Sets, although for many years, it has been loosely used for any set of Uncirculated coins from a particular year.
A roll or bag or UNCIRCULATED coins stored years ago, ideally in a MINT-SEWN sack. On silver coinage, most bags contained $1,000 face value.
You might like to collect uncirculated coins which have been available in the United States since the 1950s.
You might like to collect proof sets which are uncirculated coins prepared especially for collectors.
Fleur de Coin - A French term denoting an Uncirculated coin. I personally use it to represent the highest possible grade. A coin perfect in every way.
Choice Uncirculated - An Uncirculated coin in grade MS-63 or MS-64.
Chop mark - A symbol added to money by someone other than the government which issued it to indicate authenticity. Commonly found on U.S. Trade Dollars.
contact marks, bag marks: Minor abrasions on an otherwise Uncirculated coin, caused by handling in Mint-sewn bags and contact with other surfaces.
Very few uncirculated coins were saved, and most existing today came from the famed Baltimore Hoard of over 3,600 U.S. gold coins found by two young boys in an empty cellar in May of 1934. All of the coins were dated between 1834 and 1856.
Mint Set - Group of Uncirculated coins of one date, as sold by the mint in the year of issue.
Mint State - Same as Uncirculated. A coin free of any trace of wear.
Mintage - The process of striking coins. Quantity coined.
Mint Set - A group of Uncirculated coins from one or more mints of the same nation. Each set contains at least one coin for most or all of the denominations issued for circulation during a particular year.
gem BU -A gem quality brilliant uncirculated coin. Indicates that this uncirculated coin displays original mint luster and is extremely attractive for the type of coin.
Should we buy only choice, gem uncirculated coins? Like so many things in coin collecting, it's a matter of opinion. Each collector sets his or her goals and goes on from there.
Goals ...
 See also: Uncirculated, Circulated, Coin, Mint, Collector
  
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