Coin Terminology |
Just like most hobbies, coin collecting
has it's own language. It's own terminology. In this section
of our website we will help you learn what all of those terms
mean. It is sort of like a coin collecting glossary. We will
be updating this section as needed.
To make it easier for you we have included this index. If
you are looking for a particular term then just click the
letter below that the term or word you are looking for start
with and you will be transported to that section. |
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| Altered
Date : Just like the word implies. A coin with an altered
date would be a coin where the date has been altered. This is
done to make a coin that is less valuable appear to me one of
a more valuable date. Watch out for counterfeits or fakes. |
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| Bag
Mark : A small mark or nick on a coin that was done
while the coin was loose in a mint bag. When coins are produced
they are carried and distributed in large bags. During handling
these coins will get nicks, scratches and other marks. |
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| Blank
: The formed piece of metal that coin is going to be
stamped onto. Also refereed to as a slug, flan or planchet.
Just think of it as a small metal coin with no detail at all. |
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| Bullion
: A little of what every coin collector would love
to have. Bullion is a precious metal like gold, silver or platinum
in a non coin form such as bars or ingots. |
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| Cast
Coin : A cast coin is coin that is poured into a mold
when it is made. This not the way usual coins are made. They
are made by being struck with a die. |
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| Certified
Coin : A certified coin is a coin that has been checked
and evaluated by a professional coin grading service. Having
your most valuable collectible coins certified is always a great
idea. |
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| Clad
Coins : Clad coins are coins that were made after 1965.
These coins are not solid silver or gold therefore they do not
have any precious metal value. |
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| Contact
Marks : Small marks on a coin that were made by other
coins. These marks occur when coins are transported in bags
or even rolls. Se also : bag mark. |
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| Crack
Out : This is a coin that has been removed from it's
protective covering that it was put in by a professional grading
service. This should most likely never happen. |
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| Cud
: A cud is an area that is raised on the rim of a coin.
This usually happens if the die breaks and leaves a blank area
on the rim of the coin. |
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| Die
: A die is a piece of metal that has been engraved
and it is used to stamp the engraving onto a blank coin. A die
is what makes all of the detail on the surface of the coin.
|
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| Die Crack : A raised
line on the surface of a coin that is caused by a broken die. |
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| Die
Defect : A mistake on a coin caused by a damaged die.
Coins with die defects can be very valuable. |
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| Dipping
: The process of cleaning a coin by dipping into a
chemical solution. |
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| Doubled Die : This
is one of the most common coin errors and can be found on several
coins in circulation. Coins that are double die are always wanted
by collectors and can fetch top dollar. A doubled die coin will
show slight doubling of certain features : the date, lettering
and even the design itself. |
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| Doubloon : Pirates
money and a must have for any collection. A doubloon is another
name for a spanish coin most commonly refereed to as a gold
doubloon. |
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| Edge
: The side of a coin. Sometimes the edge will have
detail, such as, ridges or numbers or even letters. |
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| Electrotype
: A reproduction of a coin. These coins are made especially
for museum displays. |
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| Encapsulated
Coin : A coin that has been graded and sealed by a
professional coin grading service. |
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| Error
: A coin that has a mistake on it. Error coins come
in many varieties and some are very valuable. |
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| Exergue
: The portion of a coin the features the date. It is
also the whole area below the main design. |
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| Field
: The background on the surface of a coin that has
no detail or lettering. |
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| Filler
: A rare coin that is old and worn butt still worthy
of a collection. |
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| Fineness
: The purity of a precious metal. It is measured on
a 1 to 1000 scale. For example most silver jewelry is 925 which
means it is 925 parts silver and 75 parts some other alloy. |
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| Flan
: A blank coin. See also blank, planchet. |
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| Gem
: A brilliant coin that has great detail and is very
high quality. |
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| Incuse
: The design located below the coin's surface. If were
above it would a relief. |
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| Inscription
: The lettering on a coin. |
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| Intrinsic
Value : The value of the actual precious metal in a
coin. |
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| Key
Coin or Key Date : The most valuable coin is a series.
One type of coin can have several key coins or key dates. These
are usually more valuable due to the limited amount minted or
because the may contain mistakes or errors not meant for circulation. |
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| Lettered
Edge : The side of a coin that bears letters. |
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| Luster
: The shiny surface of a coin. Most times found only
of proof coins. |
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| Mint
Error : Any error made during the minting of a coin. |
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| Mint
Luster : The shiny surface of a coin. Found in uncirculated
and mint coin sets. |
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| Mintmark
: see the mintmark section
for complete explanation and picture examples. |
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| Mint
Set : A set of uncirculated coins featuring one made
from every mint. These sets are usually yearly. A great addition
to any coin collection. |
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| Mule
: A coin that has been struck by two dies that are
not supposed to be used together. |
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| Obverse
: The front or face of a coin. |
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| Overdate
: An altered date made by adding one or more numbers
over existing numbers. |
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| Over
Graded : A coin that is in worse shape that stated.
A very common practice when coins are not graded by professional
coin graders. |
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| Overstrike
: A strike that has been added to an originally struck
coin. When this is done a different die is used. |
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| Patina
: The natural green and brown color that occurs over
a period of time on copper and bronze pieces. It has an aged
look that is often duplicated in modern art. |
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| Planchet
: A blank coin read for striking. See also : blank,
and flan. |
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| Proof
coins : A coin that is made from specially polished
dies and planchets. It is then struck several times with greater
force than a regular coin. The end result is a coin with a higher
luster and greater detail. Proof coins are always great for
any collection. |
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| Raw
: A coin that has not been sealed by a professional
coin grading service. |
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| Reeded
Edge : The side of a coin that has grooves that are
vertical. Most modern American coins have a reeded edge. Just
look through some pocket change. |
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| Relief
: Any raised portion of a coin. |
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| Restrike
: A coin that is restruck using the original dies. |
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| Reverse
: The back of a coin. |
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| Rim
: The raised outer edge of a coin. This is put in place
to protect the design of the coin. It will be the first surface
to wear. |
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| Round
: One ounce piece of silver. |
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| Series
: A set of one specific coin from every year. |
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| Slab
: The hard plastic case that is graded coins are encapsulated
in. |
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| Spot
or Spot Price : The current or daily value of any precious
metals. |
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| Token
: A coin that was not issued by the government but
still held some value for goods or services for a particular
time period. |
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| Truncation
: The sharp cut-off of a bust or portrait on a coin. |
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| Type
: Coins that share a particular design. For example
Jefferson Nickel or Indian head Nickel. |
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| Type
Set : A set of coins of a particular type with each
year or variation represented. |
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| Uncirculated
: A coin that had never been used or released to the
public. It still holds it's brilliant mint luster. |
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| Wheaties
: Lincoln pennies that have wheat ears on the reverse
side. These are some of the most common coins and a great place
to start any collection. |
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| Year
Set : A set of coins that features one coin of each
type for that given year. |
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