Why are Eagle bullion coins "uncirculated"?

scottgardener

I know that custom has us referring to non-proof coins fresh from the Mint as "uncirculated," but there is a curious loss of original definition and meaning in this.

Have gold and platinum eagles ever gotten into circulation? I would really love to, say, spend $200 at the grocery store, and instead of the usual paper notes, get back a $25 gold half ounce American Eagle, slightly worn, that ultimately grades AU53 with PCGS. Maybe along with it, two silver Eagles and a Boy Scouts Commemorative.

But, I'm really boggled by the use of "uncirculated" to describe the MMIX Ultra-High Relief Saint Gaudens remake. Why isn't this coin a proof? They had to polish the [oogah!] out of the planchets, and the dies were meticulously engineered and designed to a degree that makes other modern proof strikes look like 1850s branch mint work. They had to strike these coins nine times to get the relief and detail, whereas proofs are generally only struck twice. Why in the world are the modern ultra-high relief coins "uncirculated"? It's not like I'll ever get handed one of these in lieu of a $20 bill anywhere.

Or, am I just in the wrong part of the country? If so, I'm definitely moving to wherever it is that modern gold eagles circulate!

doh

They're uncirculated because they've never been in circulation.

LindeDad

Actually I see them referred to more as Mint State as in just as received from the mint.

BillJones

Some people have written that the term "uncirculated" is an unfortunate use of the word. The better terminology is "Mint State." “Uncirculated” says more about what a coin or token has done than how close its preservation is to the way the piece was when it left the dies. A coin could have been in circulation for a short time, but if it didn’t get any wear or serious marks it would be “Mint State.” A coin in collectors’ hands may not have ever been used in commerce, but it could get envelope or cabinet friction which could make it into an AU.

JupitarCoins

<< <i>They're uncirculated because they've never been in circulation. >>

devious

The "un-" prefix simply means not. The opposite of the word it is adjoined to. Therefore, uncirculated equals not circulated. I don't know what else to add. To me, it works fine for all coins regardless of striking method and regardless of alloy content.

I suppose in numismatic terminology, the un can mean something completely different than how I defined it above. I'm not experienced in neither English nor coins. But I wanted to add my simple opinion. I see nothing wrong with its use to describe any coin or other object that has yet to circulate (even if it never does). *giggle* This is a weird topic. /