What Does AU Mean?
AU stands for About Uncirculated.
An AU coin has seen only a very small amount of circulation and retains most of its original mint lustre. It sits just below Mint State (MS) on the grading scale.
Rather than heavy wear, an AU coin usually shows only slight rubbing on the highest points of the design. On a Morgan Dollar, for example, this may appear on Liberty's cheek or the eagle's breast feathers.
Professional grading services divide AU into four grades:
- AU50
- AU53
- AU55
- AU58
An AU58 coin can often look almost identical to an uncirculated example, making it an excellent choice for collectors looking for strong eye appeal without paying full Mint State prices.
Many experienced collectors consider AU coins to offer some of the best value in numismatics because they combine attractive appearance with a lower purchase price.