Uncirculated coin

An Uncirculated U.S. Quarter-Dollar (Philadelphia mint)

The term uncirculated coin can refer to three things:

• A coin that is released to the public but not intended for general circulation (i.e. not used for money although it has an actual value) but is available through a mint or through a local coin dealer. Most Uncirculated coins of this type are either commemorative coins made of gold, silver, or platinum bullion coins (see picture below); actual uncirculated rolls or bags of coins (see next bullet and picture below); special coinage sets; or proof sets (see pictures below).

A 1000 uncirculated U.S. mint Quarter-Dollar coin bag and two Unc U.S. mint $10(40 quarter) rolls

• A coin that has been officially graded as in "Mint State 60+";
• The process by which a coin is made. The U.S. Mint uses this definition for the uncirculated coins that it sells. For uncirculated coins, adjustments to the minting process are made which result in a more satin-like finish. These include using a higher force during coining, the use of fresh dies, and special cleaning.