Is this a good answer?
TopographicOceans
Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
I have an Uncirculated CWT listed on eBay and a guy asks how I know it is uncirculated.
This was my answer
Hi,
All coins start out in a Mint State condition, regardless if they come from the US Mint or a private mint like Civil War Tokens do.
Uncirculated condition is really just the opposite of Circulated. A circulated coin could still be in Mint State condition
.
For example if I get a roll of Lincoln cents from the bank that came directly from the mint, and I open it and use one to buy a Coke and then you get it in change from the clerk, that coin could still be in Mint State condition even though it circulated during normal commerce.
In fact if you got it in change and thought it looked really sharp you could submit to PCGS and they could grade it MS70, even though it technically circulated.
Civil War Tokens were created out of necessity during the war since there was a shortage of small denomination copper coins from the US Mint in some areas, so business and individuals minted their own from copper. US Congress outlawed their use in April 1864.
This coin is dated 1863 so there is about a period of 1 1/2 years it which it could have circulated in commerce legally. Was this coin ever used in commerce during this period or did it sit in a bag at the private mint? I have no idea.
But by uncirculated I mean the coin is in Mint State condition. It does not show any signs of wear or marks from being circulated.
I hope this answers your question.
This was my answer
Hi,
All coins start out in a Mint State condition, regardless if they come from the US Mint or a private mint like Civil War Tokens do.
Uncirculated condition is really just the opposite of Circulated. A circulated coin could still be in Mint State condition
.
For example if I get a roll of Lincoln cents from the bank that came directly from the mint, and I open it and use one to buy a Coke and then you get it in change from the clerk, that coin could still be in Mint State condition even though it circulated during normal commerce.
In fact if you got it in change and thought it looked really sharp you could submit to PCGS and they could grade it MS70, even though it technically circulated.
Civil War Tokens were created out of necessity during the war since there was a shortage of small denomination copper coins from the US Mint in some areas, so business and individuals minted their own from copper. US Congress outlawed their use in April 1864.
This coin is dated 1863 so there is about a period of 1 1/2 years it which it could have circulated in commerce legally. Was this coin ever used in commerce during this period or did it sit in a bag at the private mint? I have no idea.
But by uncirculated I mean the coin is in Mint State condition. It does not show any signs of wear or marks from being circulated.
I hope this answers your question.
0
Comments
The comment about circulating legally is not valid. They may have circulated, but they were not legal tender.
And your third sentence conflicts with your original description and your second to last sentence.
One says a circulated coin could be mint state. One says by uncirculated you mean mint state.
Is it uncirculated or is it mint state?