what is the difference?

Calvinhardiman

What is the difference between circulated and uncirculated coins and how do you identify which is what?

Gluggo

The difference between the two coins can usually be easily identified, and the value difference can often be considerable. Every coin starts its life as uncirculated when it is struck at the mint, and it remains in uncirculated condition until it enters the commerce stream or is otherwise damaged.

In order to be certified as uncirculated, a coin must not exhibit any trace of having been in circulation. There are two major factors that indicate a coin is in uncirculated condition:

Mint luster. Coins that have never been in circulation usually exhibit a distinctive sheen or luster. The luster wears off very quickly once the coin is in circulation and has been touched by bare hands. It may also diminish over time.
No trace of wear. One of the most obvious signs that a coin is uncirculated is the absence of wear or rubbing on the coin’s high points. As soon as the coin enters circulation, the high points start to show traces of depreciation.
Contrary to popular belief, an uncirculated coin is not always in pristine condition. It can, in fact, exhibit “contact marks,” which are small dings and even scratches that can be picked up from contact with other coins at the mint and in bags as the coins are transported from the mint.
Uncirculated coins are graded between MS60 and MS70. A coin in perfect MS70 condition will not have any contact marks or other blemishes, while a coin in MS60 condition may show contact marks and may be missing much of its luster.

Borrowed from the internet copy paste.

bolivarshagnasty

On the home page, hover over "Coin Grading" and you will see several options. Select "Grading Standards" and view. If you truly don't know the difference at this point (as in not messing with us), you will need to purchase a number of reference books including the Redbook.

Calvinhardiman

The reason I asked I just seen a uncirculated 1916-d lincoln wheat penny sell on eBay for 45.00$ I seen small scratches on them and thought if it was uncirculated it would be in perfect condition. I'm a new collector and have plans to go to a bank to get rolls to pick threw so I'm trying to understand how to grade coins to pick out any of value. I'd like to try selling some on eBay. I have a 1926 Lincoln wheat penny I'm trying to value then auction on ebay

Calvinhardiman

I only sell a few coin to be able to afford more binders and pages to hold more coins

SilverProofQuarter1883

There is a rating system for coins from 1-70 called a grade. 1 means the poorest condition and 70 is microscopically perfect. Circulated is a used coin that is warn down when being used and uncirculated is a coin never used, On the grading scale it is over 60.

AUandAG

A coin can have a lot of marks and still be uncirculated. These are called bag marks typically. Very, very few coins are perfect (with no marks or flaws). The fewer the marks/flaws the higher the grade up to the perfect 70. However, a coin with lots of marks/flaws but no evidence of wear from circulating could only be a 60. And there are lots of grades in between. Check out Coinfacts on this site.
bob
I don't know how old you are but stay in school and pay attention in English class.

Calvinhardiman

That's rude. Sorry I am not great at typing.

Calvinhardiman

I had to drop out to support my mother at a young age. I can not help that I was poorly educated.

Gluggo

@Calvinhardiman said:
I had to drop out to support my mother at a young age. I can not help that I was poorly educated.

Sorry about your mom Calvin. Hang in there, and welcome to the board. I never got a chance to welcome you earlier.

Calvinhardiman

Thank you gluggo

ricko

I would suggest the RedBook, if you do not already have one... it is a great starting point to learn about coins... also, this site has good resources to help with grading. Good luck, Cheers, RickO