A perfectly preserved note, crisp, full color, no stains, never mishandled by the issuing authority, a bank teller, the general public or a collector. The paper is clean and firm, without discoloration.
Corners are sharp and square, without any evidence of rounding.
An uncirculated note will have it's original, natural printing or paper sheen. Also, French-printed notes usually have a slight ripple in the paper. May show very slight evidence of bank counting folds at a corner or one light fold through the center, but not both. The paper is clean and bright with original sheen. Corners are not rounded.