BU vs. MS - should be simple, but I'm confused: Please help!

TommyB

Where does BU fit in on the scale? Better than MS60? MS63? Not as good? Why do some dealers at shows put BU on the 2x2 and on other coins will put MS whatever. Please fill me in on this mystery.

tom

relayer

In the old days there was just Good, Fine and Uncirculated.

But because some uncirculated coins where better than others, terms like Brilliant Uncirculated, Choice BU, and GEM BU were invented.

In 1948 the “Sheldon Scale” assigned grades from 1 through 70 to coins. His theory was that an MS-70 would be worth seventy times as much as coins grading just 1. Although many collectors agreed on the scale, they could not agree on standards. And the Sheldon Scale Grade was still a matter of subjective opinion.

So think of uncirculated as MS-60, BU as MS62, Choice BU as MS63 and GEM BU MS65+

TommyB

perfect, thank you!

Cam40

BU,Ch BU ,Gem BU are good general terms to describe condition.I kinda like it but in the Gem BU range you
want to grade it to the number for better realization of value.
Its the BU range thats so tricky.
The dealer will sell you a coin as BU,two days later will buy it back as an 58.
58-63,they look really similar sometimes.

cladking

The term BU has changed and evolved a great deal over the years. At one
time it really meant just "no question unc". It was a coin with full original
luster which was unimpaired. It could be any grade from MS-60 to MS-70.
As more terms came into use to differentiate these grades it's meaning e-
volved. Today it seems to have taken on two meanings depending on who is
using it: It can be nice attractive unc (MS-62/63) or it can mean nice fully
lustrous coin which isn't good enough for any of the superlatives (MS-60/61).

Most agree it still has the "no question unc" meaning.

dorkkarl

in the late 70's, there was huge stink because some dealers were using "BU" to mean "borderline-uncirculated", w/out disclosing such in their ads

K S

misterR

Maybe I'm wrong but I always thought BU meant brilliant uncirculated which implies that the coin was uncirculated and untoned. brilliant=untoned

MrEureka

Maybe I'm wrong but I always thought BU meant brilliant uncirculated which implies that the coin was uncirculated and untoned.

You're not wrong.

danglen

Depending on the dealer, BU can stand for Brilliant Uncirculated or Butt Ugly

Catch22

In the real world, BU in the advertisement means AU if you're lucky.