mint state?

[Debbie]

Just to prove that I am still collecting shillings, here is a 1912 I bought from the coin fair. It’s only the second shilling I have bought this year! I bought it as “mint state†which I presume is the same as UNC? When is a coin classed as BU? Does it refer to brilliant uncirculated or better than uncirculated? Derek, I don't think that you mention BU at all in your book?

BTW it has a lovely slight golden tone which you can't see in the photo.

[Nick]

Just to prove that I am still collecting shillings, here is a 1912 I bought from the coin fair. It’s only the second shilling I have bought this year! I bought it as “mint state” which I presume is the same as UNC? When is a coin classed as BU? Does it refer to brilliant uncirculated or better than uncirculated? Derek, I don't think that you mention BU at all in your book?

BTW it has a lovely slight golden tone which you can't see in the photo.

Very nice shiiling Debbie. It's the scarcer of the two 1912 reverses too.

I think 'mint state' is used, like BU, to indicate that it is slightly better than a 'bog standard' UNC (ie is brilliant, has full lustre, or has no bagmarks, etc).

Edited June 12, 2012 by Nick

[pies]

Very nice coin you have Debbie

[Peckris]

Nice shilling, Debbie.

I think that "mint state" is just one of several terms used by different dealers and graders - along with "as struck", "unc", all mean the same thing. "BU" merely refers to the presence of full lustre on unc coins, though it's traditionally used more often of copper and bronze where lustre is easier to see.

[Red Riley]

Just to prove that I am still collecting shillings, here is a 1912 I bought from the coin fair. It’s only the second shilling I have bought this year! I bought it as “mint state†which I presume is the same as UNC? When is a coin classed as BU? Does it refer to brilliant uncirculated or better than uncirculated? Derek, I don't think that you mention BU at all in your book?

BTW it has a lovely slight golden tone which you can't see in the photo.

BU does get a mention in a slightly pejorative way. For bronze/copper I prefer to give AU + a % of lustre which is far more useful. Silver coins of any age will acquire some toning and therefore BU can often indicate a dipped coin. I have softened my view somewhat since then and use the term to indicate bronze/copper with more than 90% lustre.

I have to say though that at one time BU was the most overused term in numismatics!

[Debbie]

Thank you chaps for your comments and explainations.

Nick - better reverse? (says she rushing to dig out her Davis ) Beginners luck!

[Nick]

Thank you chaps for your comments and explainations.

Nick - better reverse? (says she rushing to dig out her Davis ) Beginners luck!

There are two reverses for 1912, where the M and P of IMP are close together or not. The first reverse (same as 1911) is a bit scarcer than the second, but not massively so. A lot of dealers don't distinguish between varieties, unless there is a marked difference in rarity or value.

[Peckris]

Thank you chaps for your comments and explainations.

Nick - better reverse? (says she rushing to dig out her Davis ) Beginners luck!

There are two reverses for 1912, where the M and P of IMP are close together or not. The first reverse (same as 1911) is a bit scarcer than the second, but not massively so. A lot of dealers don't distinguish between varieties, unless there is a marked difference in rarity or value.

I'd go along with that. I'd only amend it to say that where two varieties are of the same rarity (or not!) but have obvious differences, such as the two different 1920 obverses, I find them interesting enough to collect.