BU Coin means Brilliant Uncirculated Coin or Bullion?

Some websites selling BU coin, e.g. http://www.singaporemint.com/product_info.php?products_id=468 Can anyone tell me whether the BU Coin in the above website means it is a Brilliant Uncirculated Coin or it is a Bullion? Usually which type of coin is better for collection and investment? BU coin or proof gold coin with legal tender (such as http://www.singaporemint.com/product_info.php?products_id=498)? Thanks!

Public Comments

1. On the website the term "BU" refers to Brilliant Uncirculated, that's the condition of the coin featured. BU is a grade globally accepted even in countries like the US and Canada which use numerical grading scale. The coin featured has a bullion-type gold fineness(0.9999) but it doesn't seem to be a bullion coin, but a commemorative with bullion fineness. Singapore bullion coins are like the Lion gold series. For your second question, I'd say that it depends on the coin. In general, Proof are more collectible due to aesthetics and limited quantities, but that is not always the case. Take for example some recent commemorative coins from the US. Some BU(or they called MS there) versions are more valuable than their Proof counterparts. Why? Because fewer were minted. So the bottom line is, research on the coin you are interested in, and as a rule of thumb, always go for the one with fewer mintage of the two versions.
2. BU means "Brilliant Uncirculated". This means that the coin has never been exposed to the wear and tear of circulation. It means that the coin has no wear whatsoever, though it may have some contact marks from other uncirculated coins in the course of post-manufacture processing at the mint. A Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) coin is also distinguished from a Proof (PR) coin, which is a coin made under stricter controls for collectors rather than everyday circulation. Proof coins typically have mirrored surfaces, and are exceptionally well struck from slow moving hydraulic presses. BU coins, also known as "business strikes" are made on high speed electrical presses. As to what form of gold coins to collect or invest in, I recommend pre-1933 US gold coins in the best condition you can afford. For more on gold coin collecting, including some spectacular photos to inspire you, see my website at http://www.valuable-coin-stories.com/us-gold-coin.html