Other words and phrases for "gem"....
MrEureka
Posts: 24,286 ✭✭✭✭✭
Through the ages, numismatists have come up with many ways to describe a gem coin. MS-65 is one of them. Fleur de coin (FDC) is another. What are some of the other words and phrases used to describe gem quality coins? If you don't remember any, feel free to make something up.
Andy Lustig
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
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another word for GEM .... VF
-sm
The Maddy Rae Collection
CURRENT BST OFFERINGS
Then again I've always thought of AU as "Almost Uncirculated" .
So maybe I don't know "Jack" , but I know what I like..............
Dan
I like Gem best.
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
<< <i>Through the ages, numismatists have come up with many ways to describe a gem coin. MS-65 is one of them. Fleur de coin (FDC) is another. What are some of the other words and phrases used to describe gem quality coins? If you don't remember any, feel free to make something up. >>
Gem Superb (67), or mucho $$$
A lot of coins being sold on the "Coin Vault" are from NGC slabbed as BU (Brilliant Uncirculated--without an actual MS grade) and even Robert Chambers identify them as MS60 grade...reason being that these NGC coins are viewed by only 1 grader and 1 finalizer. Coin Vault has a some kind of "secret deal" with NGC to bypass the traditional grading process, lowering the costs, and only having a grade of Brilliant Uncirculated...
So much for their opinions...
–John Adams, 1826
Perhaps someone could break down the adjectives for each MS grade from MS60 to MS70?
I would appreciate that very much
Obscurum per obscurius
1. (I appear to be wrong about the BU = MS63.) On the lingo page PCGS states that Brilliant Uncirculated is generic term applied to any coin that has not been in circulation. It often is applied to coins with little "brilliance" left, which properly should be described as simply Uncirculated.
2. Gem. Adjectival description applied to Mint State and Proof-65 coins. It also is used for higher grades and as a generic term for a superb coin. Gem Uncirculated. The adjectival equivalent of Mint State 65 or 66.
3. Commercial grade. A grade that is usually one level higher than the market grade; refers to a coin that is "pushed" a grade, such as an EF/AU coin (corresponding to 45+) sold as AU-50. (market grading is numerical grade that matches the grade at which a particular coin generally is traded in the marketplace. The grading standard used by PCGS.)
4. Choice Uncirculated. An Uncirculated coin grading MS-63 or MS-64.
–John Adams, 1826
MS-60
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "60" (the numerical designation of that grade). This is the lowest of the eleven Mint State grades that range from MS60 through MS70. An MS60 coin will usually exhibit the maximum number of marks and/or hairlines. The luster may range from poor to full, but is usually on the "poor" side. Eye appeal is usually minimal.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-61
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "61" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade meets the minimum requirements of Mint State plus includes some virtues not found on MS60 coins. For instance, there may be slightly fewer marks than on an MS60 coin, or better luster, or less negative eye appeal.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-62
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "62" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is nearly in the "choice" or MS63 category, but there is usually one thing that keeps it from a higher grader. Expect to find excessive marks or an extremely poor strike or dark and unattractive toning. Some MS62 coins will have clean surfaces and reasonably good eye appeal but exhibit many hairlines on the fields and devices.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-63
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "63" (the numerical designation of that grade). The equivalent of "choice" or "Choice BU" from the days before numerical grading was prevalent. This grade is usually found with clean fields and distracting marks or hairlines on the devices OR clean devices with distracting marks or hairlines in the fields. The strike and luster can range from mediocre to excellent.
See Also -- Mint State choice
MS-64
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "64" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is also called "Borderline Gem" at times, as well as "Very Choice BU." There will be no more than a couple of significant marks or, possibly, a number of light abrasions. The overall visual impact of the coin will be positive. The strike will range from average to full and the luster breaks will be minimal.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-65
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "65" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is also called "Gem" or "Gem Mint State" or "Gem BU." There may be scattered marks, hairlines or other defects, but they will be minor. Any spots on copper coins will also be minor. The coin must be well struck with positive (average or better) eye appeal. This is a NICE coin!
See Also -- Mint State Gem Gem BU
MS-66
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "66" (the numerical designation of that grade). This is not only a Gem-quality coin, but the eye appeal ranges from "above average" to "superb." The luster is usually far above average, and any toning can not impede the luster in any significant way. This is an extra-nice coin.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-67
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "67" (the numerical designation of that grade). A superb-quality coin! Any abrasions are extremely light and do not detract from the coin’s beauty in any way. The strike is extremely sharp (or full) and the luster is outstanding. This is a spectacular coin!
See Also -- Mint State
MS-68
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "68" (the numerical designation of that grade). A nearly perfect coin, with only minuscule imperfections visible to the naked eye. The strike will be exceptionally sharp and the luster will glow. This is an incredible coin.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-69
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "69" (the numerical designation of that grade). Virtually perfect in all departments, including wondrous surfaces, a 99% full strike (or better), full unbroken booming luster and show-stopping eye appeal. You may have to study this coin with a 5X glass to find the reason why it didn’t grade MS70.
See Also -- Mint State
MS-70
This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "70" (the numerical designation of that grade). A perfect coin! Even with 5X magnification there are no marks, hairlines or luster breaks in evidence. The luster is vibrant, the strike is razor-sharp, and the eye appeal is the ultimate. Note: Minor die polish and light die breaks are not considered to be defects on circulation strike coins.
–John Adams, 1826
I looked at the lingo page some time ago. Guess its time to familiarize myself again and to take notes for my own records...
Gary
You posted just as I was making my reply and replied before I did.
Thank you very much. I will print it out for ease of study
splendiferous (attributed to early B&R auction galleries)
godzilla
gorilla
monster
just flipping through Eliasberg April 2007 I ran across the following often-used adjectives:
incredible, amazing, memorable, splendid, lovely, superb, remarkable, landmark, spectacular, classic, unbelievable, marvelous, outstanding, dazzling, delightful, exceptional, notable, amazing, etc.
.....pheww!
roadrunner
http://www.stacks.com/lotdetail.aspx?lrid=AN00085581
A lodestar for any connoisseur assembling a superb commemorative collection