"BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes?

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Topic: "BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes? (Read 10111 times)

BWJM

Very Senior Member
Posts: 5,027

"BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes?

« on: August 26, 2008, 04:58:24 pm »

Dear Banknote Expert...

In the past few days, I've noticed this term appearing at least twice... "BU" or "brilliant uncirculated"

I am at a loss as to how this would apply to banknotes. Where does BU fit with UNC, C.UNC and G.UNC? Are we moving to a scheme of UNC, A.UNC, B.UNC, C.UNC, D.UNC, E.UNC, F.UNC, G.UNC, etc?

Can you shine some light on this subject please?

-- Confused in Canada

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BWJM, F.O.N.A.
Life Member of CPMS, RCNA, ONA, ANA, IBNS, WCS.
President, IBNS Ontario Chapter.
Treasurer, Waterloo Coin Society.
Show Chair, Cambridge Coin Show.
Fellow of the Ontario Numismatic Association.

JB-2007

Moderator
Posts: 1,870

Re: "BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes?

« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2008, 05:18:02 pm »

I thought that BU was used in grading uncircualted coins.
In grading banknotes, the term UNC, Ch-UNC and GEM UNC should only be used as it would make our lives much easier.

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Oli1001

Very Senior Member
Posts: 504
www.CanadianCurrency.ca

Re: "BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes?

« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2008, 12:10:26 am »

Quote from: BWJM on August 26, 2008, 04:58:24 pm

-- Confused in Canada

Sounds like one of those old time anonymous advise columns in the paper...from the 1950's!

From my understanding;

BU is a term used from grading coins. It is essential a description used to classify a broader range Unc (ie, Unc 60 all the way up to Unc 70 - or in paper terms Unc/Choice/Gem)

I guess the basic idea is if you open up a roll of new coins, all of them are BUs. Or on the paper side of it, any note pulled from a brick would classify as a BU even though could be an Unc/Choice/Gem.

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friedsquid

Very Senior Member
Posts: 2,879
CPMS 1593

Re: "BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes?

« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2008, 08:16:59 am »

Quote

Or on the paper side of it, any note pulled from a brick would classify as a BU

I will now classify my notes for sale as BU Brick Uncirculated
Will I sell more that way

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Always looking for #1 serial number notes in any denomination/any series

Bernie

Junior Member
Posts: 61

Re: "BU" or "Brillian Uncirculated" for banknotes?

« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2008, 07:31:24 pm »

BU should NOT be used for grading currency!!!!!!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!

I just saw an auction that described the note as GOOD, VERY GOOD, AND UNCIRCULATED all within the same sentence or two.

Education is what is required. I find it strange that coin dealers who sell a lot of currency don't take a little bit of time to educated themselves.

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