Coin Definitions |
|
*The following is a list of terms associated with coins, if you do not understand what a word means, please look below before you purchase any coins from any site. GLOSSARY OF TERMS A
 Custom Search B Brilliant Brilliant Uncirculated - A generic term applied to any coin that has not been in circulation. It often is applied to coins with little "brilliance" left, which properly should be described as simply Uncirculated. C
CAM - Short for Cameo. Also, PCGS grading suffix used for 1950 and later Proofs that meet cameo standards. Cameo -The term applied to coins, usually Proofs and prooflike coins, that have frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the fields. Capped Bust - A term describing any of the various incarnations of the head of Miss Liberty represented on early U.S. coins by a bust with a floppy cap. Capped die -The term applied to an error in which a coin gets jammed in the coining press and remains for successive strikes, eventually forming a “cap” either on the upper or lower die. These are sometimes spectacular with the “cap” often many times taller than a Carson City -The United States branch Mint located in Carson City, Nevada that struck coins from 1870 until 1885 and again from 1889 until 1893. These are among the most popular branch-mint issues. Cent - A denomination valued at one-hundredth of a dollar, struck continuously by the U.S. Mint since 1793 except for 1815. Certified Coin Exchange - The bid/ask coin trading and quotation system owned by the American Teleprocessing Company. Chain Cent -The popular name for the Flowing Hair Chain cent of 1793, the first coins struck in the newly occupied Mint building. Circulated - A term applied to a coin that has wear, ranging from slight rubbing to heavy wear. Circulation -A term applied to coins that have been spent in commerce and have received wear. Circulation strike - An alternate term for Business Strike or Regular Strike. A coin meant for commerce. Classic Head - A depiction of Miss Liberty that recalls the “classic” look of a Roman or Greek athlete wearing a ribbon around the hair. Coin - Metal formed into a disk of standardized weight and stamped with a standard design to enable it to circulate as money authorized by a government body. Coinage - The issuance of metallic money of a particular country. Commemorative - Coins issued to honor some person, place, or event and, in many instances, to raise funds for activities related to the theme. Common -A numismatic issue that is readily available. common date - A particular issue within a series that is readily available. Complete set - A term for all possible coins within a series, all types, or all coins from a particular branch Mint.
Contact marks - Marks on a coin that are incurred through contact with another coin or a foreign object. Copy - Any reproduction, fraudulent or otherwise, of a coin. Coronet Head - Alternate name for Braided Hair design by Christian Gobrecht (also called Liberty Head design). Corrosion - Damage that results when reactive chemicals act upon metal. D D-Mint - Term used for the gold coinage struck at the branch Mint in Dahlonega, Georgia, from 1838 to 1861, and for the coinage struck at the branch Mint in Denver, Colorado, from 1906 to the present. Date - The numerals on a coin representing the year in which it was struck. DCAM - Short for Deep Cameo. DDO - An acronym for Doubled Die Obverse. Dealer - Someone whose occupation is buying, selling, and trading numismatic material. Deep Cameo - The term applied to coins, usually Proofs and prooflike coins, that have deeply frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the fields - often called “black and white” cameos. Deep mirror prooflike - Any coin that has deeply reflective mirror-like fields, the term especially applicable for Morgan dollars. Denomination - The value assigned by a government to a specific coin. Denticles - The tooth-like devices around the rim seen on many coins. Dentils - Short for denticles. Design - A particular motif on a coin or other numismatic item. For example, Morgan dollars, or mercury dimes. Die - A steel rod that is engraved, punched, or hubbed with devices, lettering, the date, and other emblems. Die alignment - Term to indicate the relative position of the obverse and reverse dies. Die variety -A coin that can be linked to a given set of dies because of characteristics possessed by those dies and mparted to the coin at the time it was struck. Dime - The denomination, one tenth of a dollar, issued since 1796 by the United States. Dipped - A term applied to a coin that has been DMPL - Short for deep mirror prooflike. Doctored - Term used for a numismatic item that has been enhanced by chemical or other means. Dollar - The denomination, consisting of one hundred cents.
Double(d) die - A die that has been struck more than once by a hub in misaligned positions, resulting in doubling of design elements. Double-struck - A condition that results when a coin is not ejected from the dies and is struck a second time. Such a coin is said to be double-struck. Draped Bust - The design attributed to Mint engraver Robert Scot that features Miss Liberty with a drape across her bust.
Extra Fine - Alternate form of Extremely Fine. Extremely Fine - The grades EF40 and 45. This grade has nearly full detail with only the high points worn, the fields rubbed often with luster still clinging in protected areas. Extremely High Relief - The 1907 double eagle issue by Augustus Saint-Gaudens that had such medallic depth that multiple blows from a powerful press were required to fully bring up the detail. Because of this difficulty, the Mint engraver lowered the design resulting in the High Relief, which again was lowered to create the familiar Standing Liberty double eagle, or Saint, as to which they are commonly referred.
F
FH -Short for Full Head. Finest known -The best-known condition example of a particular numismatic item. Five - Short for a five-dollar gold coin or half eagle. Five Indian - Slang for the Indian Head half eagles struck from 1908 to 1929. Fixed price list -A dealer listing of items for sale at set prices. Flat edge - Term referring to the particular specimens of High Reliefs that do not have a wire edge. Flat luster - A subdued type of luster seen on coins struck from worn dies. Often these coins have a gray or otherwise dull color. Flowing Hair - The design attributed to Mint engraver Robert Scot that features Miss Liberty with long, flowing hair. Flying Eagle - Short for Flying Eagle Cent. Franklin half dollar - The John Sinnock designed half dollar struck from 1948 until 1963. This featured Ben Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse. Friction - Slight wear on a coin's high points or in the fields. Frost - A crystallized-metal effect seen in the recessed areas of a die, thus the raised parts of a coin struck with that die. Frosty luster - The crystalline appearance of coins struck with dies that have frost in their recessed areas. Such coins show vibrant luster on their devices and/or surfaces; the amount of crystallization may vary. Also, this term is applied to coins whose entire surface his this look. Full Bands - Term applied to Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dimes when the central band is fully separated (FB). There can be no disturbance of the separation. Also applicable to Roosevelt dimes that display full separation in both the upper and lower pair of crossbands on the torch. Full Head - Term applied to Standing Liberty quarters when the helmet of the head has full detail (FH). Both Type 1 and 2 coins are so designated but the criteria is different for both. Full strike - A numismatic item that displays the full detail intended by the designer. G Gem - Adjectival description applied to Mint State and Proof-65 coins. It also is used for higher grades and as a generic term for a superb coin. Gobrecht dollar - The silver dollars dated 1836, 1838, and 1839 struck in those years and restruck later (some 1836-dated coins were struck in 1837). These are named for their designer, Christian Gobrecht, Chief Engraver from 1840 to 1844 but defacto engraver when William Kneass suffered his stroke in 1835. Gold dollar - The small coins of one dollar denomination struck from 1849 until 1889. Grading - The process of numerically quantifying the condition of a coin. Before the adoption of the Sheldon numerical system, coins were given descriptive grades such as Good, Very Good, Fine, and so forth. H Fine - cleaning lines found mainly in the fields of Proof coins, although they sometimes are found across an entire Proof coin as well as on business strikes. Half - Slang for half dollar. Half cent - The lowest-value coin denomination ever issued by the United States, representing one-two hundredth of a dollar. Half cents were struck from 1793 until the series was discontinued in 1857. Half dime - The original spelling of half dime. The first United States regular issue was the 1792 half disme supposedly struck in John Harper’s basement with the newly acquired Mint presses. Half Dollar - The denomination first struck in 1794 that is still struck today. Half Eagle - Literally, half the value of an Eagle. The Eagle was defined by the Mint Act of 1792 as equal to ten silver dollars. Hammer die - The upper die, usually the obverse – although on some issues with striking problems, the reverse was employed as the upper die. Haze - A cloudy film, original or added, seen on both business-strike coins and Proofs. This film can range from a light, nearly clear covering with little effect on the grade to a heavy, opaque layer that might prevent the coin from being graded. High Relief - The Saint-Gaudens inspired effort of Charles Barber to reduce the Extremely High Relief down to a coin with acceptable striking qualities. After 11,250 coins, this effort was abandoned. However, these were released and quickly became one of the most popular coins of all time.
I Indian Head eagle -The Saint-Gaudens designed ten-dollar gold coin struck from 1907 until 1933. Indian penny - Slang for an Indian Head cent.
J K King - The number one coin. The 1804 dollar was referred to as the "King of Coins" in an 1885 auction catalogue. Since then, the word "King" has come to mean the most important coin of a particular series. L Large cent - A large copper U.S. coin, one-hundredth of a dollar, issued from 1793 until 1857, when it was replaced by a much smaller cent made from a copper-nickel alloy. The value of copper in a large cent had risen to more than one cent, requiring the reduction in weight. Large date - Term referring to the size of the digits of the date on a coin. Large Eagle - Alternate form of Heraldic Eagle. Large letters - Term referring to the size of the lettering of the date on a coin. (Use of this term implies that medium or small letters exist for that coin or series.) Large Motto - Common short name for the particular variety of two-cent coin of 1864 with large letters in the motto. The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” was first used on the two-cent coinage of 1864. Congress mandated this inscription for all coinage and it has been used on nearly every coin since that time. Large size - A term referring to the particular diameter of a coin in a series. (Use of this term implies that there is a small size or diameter with the same motif. Examples are the Large and Small size Capped Bust quarters.) LD - Short for large date. Legend - A phrase that appears on a coin – for instance, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Lettered edge -A coin edge that displays an inscription or other design elements, rather than being reeded or plain. The lettering can be either incuse (recessed below the surface) or raised. Incuse lettering is applied before a coin is struck; the Mint did this with a device called the Castaing machine. Raised lettering is found on coins struck with segmented collars; the lettering is raised during the minting process, and when the coin is ejected from the dies, the collar "falls" apart, preventing the lettering from being sheared away. Lettering - The alphabet characters used in creating legends, mottoes, and other inscriptions on a coin, whether on the obverse, reverse, or edge. Liberty - The symbolic figure used in many U.S. coin designs. Liberty Cap - The head of Miss Liberty, with a cap on a pole by her head, used on certain U.S. half cents and large cents. Liberty Head - The design used on most U.S. gold coins from 1838 until 1908. This design was first employed by Christian Gobrecht, with later modifications by Robert Ball Hughes and James Longacre. Morgan dollars and Barber coinage sometimes are referred to as Liberty Head coins. Liberty nickel - Short for Liberty Head or “V” nickel struck from 1883 until 1912. (The coins dated 1913 were clandestinely struck and are not regular issues.) Liberty Seated - The motif designed by Christian Gobrecht first used on the Gobrecht dollars of 1836-1839 featuring Miss Liberty seated on a rock. This design was used on nearly all regular issue silver coinage from 1837 until 1891. (1838-1891 for quarters, 1839-1891 for half dollars, and 1840-1873 for dollars.) Lincoln - Lincoln Head cent. Lincoln cent - Victor D. Brenner designed cent first struck in 1909 and continuing until today although the reverse was changed in 1959 to the Memorial Reverse. These were struck in bronze until 1982, except for 1943 when they were issued in steel with a zinc coating and 1945-1945 when melted shell casings were employed to produce planchets. Currently, the Lincoln cent is struck on planchets composed of a zinc core and a 5% copper coating. Lint mark - A repeating depression on a coin, usually thin and curly, caused by a thread that adhered to a die during the coin's production. Lint marks are found primarily on Proofs. After dies are polished, they are wiped with a cloth, and these sometimes leave tiny threads. Luster - In numismatics, the amount and strength of light reflected from a coin’s surface or its original mint bloom. Luster is the result of light reflecting on the flow lines, whether visible or not. Lustrous - A term used to describe coins that still have original mint bloom. M Marks - Imperfections acquired after striking. These range from tiny to large hits and may be caused by other coins or foreign objects. Matte Proof - An experimental Proof striking, produced by the U.S. Mint mainly from 1907 to 1916, which has sandblasted or acid-pickled surfaces. These textured surfaces represented a radical departure from brilliant Proofs, having even less reflectivity than business strikes. Medium date - Term referring to the size of the digits of the date on a coin. (Use of this term implies that a large or small date exists for that coin or series.) Medium letters - Term referring to the size of the lettering of the date on a coin. (Use of this term implies that large or small letters exist for that coin or series.) Mercury dime - Common name for the Winged Liberty Head dime issued from 1916 until 1945. The A.A. Weinman motif was quickly compared to the Roman god Mercury and the name stuck with the public. Mint - A coining facility. Mint bloom - Original luster that is still visible on a coin. Mint set - A set of Uncirculated coins from a particular year comprising coins from each Mint. (Usually, this term refers to government issued Mint Sets, although for many years, it has been loosely used for any set of Uncirculated coins from a particular year. Also, the government Mint Sets issued from 1947 until 1958 were double sets.) Mint State - The term corresponding to the numerical grades MS-60 through MS-70, used to denote a business strike coin that never has been in circulation. A Mint State coin can range from one that is covered with marks (MS-60) to a flawless example (MS-70). Mintage - The number of coins of a particular date struck at a given mint during a particular year. (This may not equal the “official” mintage for that calendar year, especially for pre-1840 coinage. The Mint reported coins struck in the calendar year, regardless of the date(s) on the issue. For instance, the 1804-dated dollar was included in Proof Sets struck in 1834 because the “official” mintage figures for 1804 included silver dollars although it is now known that these were dated 1803 or possibly even earlier.) Mintmark - The tiny letter(s) stamped into the dies to denote the mint at which a particular coin was struck. Miss Liberty - Term applied to the various incarnations of the emblematic Liberty represented on United States coinage. Monster - Slang for an incredible coin, usually one that grades MS/PR-67 or higher. A secondary use is as an adjective, such as monster luster or monster color. Morgan - Short for “Morgan dollar.” Morgan dollar - The common term used for the Liberty Head silver dollar struck from 1878 until 1904 and again in 1921. George Morgan was the assistant engraver but his design was selected over William Barber’s for the dollar. Morgan was passed over for the Chief Engraver’s job when William Barber died in 1879. Charles Barber, William’s son, received the job and Morgan remained an assistant until Charles died in 1918. Morgan was then elevated to position of Chief Engraver, which he held until his death in January, 1925. Motto - An inscription on a coin – especially IN GOD WE TRUST, which first appeared on the 1864 two-cent piece andnow is required on all U.S. coinage MS-60 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "60" (the numerical designation of that grade). This is the lowest of the eleven Mint State grades that range from MS60 through MS70. An MS60 coin will usually exhibit the maximum number of marks and/or hairlines. The luster may range from poor to full, but is usually on the "poor" side. Eye appeal is usually minimal. MS-61 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "61" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade meets the minimum requirements of Mint State plus includes some virtues not found on MS60 coins. For instance, there may be slightly fewer marks than on an MS60 coin, or better luster, or less negative eye appeal. MS-62 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "62" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is nearly in the "choice" or MS63 category, but there is usually one thing that keeps it from a higher grader. Expect to find excessive marks or an extremely poor strike or dark and unattractive toning. Some MS62 coins will have clean surfaces and reasonably good eye appeal but exhibit many hairlines on the fields and devices. MS-63 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "63" (the numerical designation of that grade). The equivalent of "choice" or "Choice BU" from the days before numerical grading was prevalent. This grade is usually found with clean fields and distracting marks or hairlines on the devices OR clean devices with distracting marks or hairlines in the fields. The strike and luster can range from mediocre to excellent. MS-64 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "64" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is also called "Borderline Gem" at times, as well as "Very Choice BU." There will be no more than a couple of significant marks or, possibly, a number of light abrasions. The overall visual impact of the coin will be positive. The strike will range from average to full and the luster breaks will be minimal. MS-65 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "65" (the numerical designation of that grade). This grade is also called "Gem" or "Gem Mint State" or "Gem BU." There may be scattered marks, hairlines or other defects, but they will be minor. Any spots on copper coins will also be minor. The coin must be well struck with positive (average or better) eye appeal. This is a NICE coin! MS-66 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "66" (the numerical designation of that grade). This is not only a Gem-quality coin, but the eye appeal ranges from "above average" to "superb." The luster is usually far above average, and any toning can not impede the luster in any significant way. This is an extra-nice coin. MS-67 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "67" (the numerical designation of that grade). A superb-quality coin! Any abrasions are extremely light and do not detract from the coin’s beauty in any way. The strike is extremely sharp (or full) and the luster is outstanding. This is a spectacular coin! MS-68 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "68" (the numerical designation of that grade). A nearly perfect coin, with only minuscule imperfections visible to the naked eye. The strike will be exceptionally sharp and the luster will glow. This is an incredible coin. MS-69 - This is for "Mint State" (the grade) and "69" (the numerical designation of that grade). Virtually perfect in all departments, including wondrous surfaces, a 99% full strike (or better), full unbroken booming luster and show-stopping eye appeal. You may have to study this coin with a 5X glass to find the reason why it didn’t grade MS70. MS-70 N New Orleans - The branch Mint established in 1838 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It struck coins for the United States until its seizure in 1861 by the Confederacy. (Some 1861-O half dollars were struck after the seizure.) It reopened in 1879 and struck coins until 1909 (actually closed in 1910). Now this facility is a museum. NGC - Short for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. Nickel - Popular term for a five-cent piece struck in cupro-nickel alloy (actually 75% copper, 25% nickel). No Arrows - Term applied to coins without arrows by their dates during years when other coins had arrows by the date. (Example: the 1853 No Arrows half dime and 1853 Arrows half dime.) No Motto - Coins struck without the motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST.” This motto was mandated by an act of Congress and appeared on nearly every United States coin since the 1860s. No Stars - Term applying to the Christian Gobrecht designed Liberty Seated coins without stars Numismatics - The science of money; coins, paper money, tokens, inscribed bars, and all related items are included. Numismatist - One who studies or collects money or substitutes thereof. O O-Mint - Term used for the coinage of the branch Mint in New Orleans, Louisiana. Obverse - The front, or heads side, of a coin. Usually the date side. Off center - A coin struck on a blank that was not properly centered over the anvil, or lower, die. Coins that are 5 percent, or less, off center are graded by PCGS as a regular coin. Those struck off center more than 5 percent are graded as error coins. There will be an “E” before the coin number to designate an error specimen and the amount struck off center will be listed, rounded to the nearest 5 percent. Original - A term used to describe a coin that never has been dipped or cleaned, or a coin struck from original dies in the year whose date it bears. Original toning - Term for the color acquired naturally by a coin that never has never been cleaned or dipped. Original toning ranges from the palest yellow to extremely dark blues, grays, browns, and finally black. Over dipped - A coin that has become dull from too many baths in a dipping solution. Overdate - A coin struck from a die with a date that has one year punched over a different year. Save a few exceptions, the die overdated is an unused die from a previous year. Sometimes an effort was made to polish away evidence of the previous date. PCGS requires the overdate to be visible to be recognized. P Pan-Pac -Short for Panama-Pacific Exhibition. Patina - Synonym for toning. Pattern - A test striking of a coin produced to demonstrate a proposed design, size, or composition (whether adopted or not). Patterns often are made in metals other than the one proposed; examples of this include aluminum and copper patterns of the silver Trade dollar. Off-metal strikes such as this also are referred to as die trials of a pattern. PCGS - Short for “Professional Coin Grading Service”. Peace dollar - Common name for the silver dollar struck from 1921 to 1935. Designed by Anthony Francisci to commemorate the peace following World War I, the first year featured another coin designated High Relief. In 1922, the relief was lowered resulting in the Regular Relief type that continued until 1935. Pedigree - A listing of a coin’s current owner plus all known previous owners. Penny - In American numismatics, slang for a one-cent coin. Philadelphia - The mother Mint, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. First established in 1792, the Philadelphia Mint has occupied 4 different locations, currently, it is in PL - Short for prooflike. Planchet defects - Any of the various abnormalities found on coin blanks. These include drift marks, laminations, clips, and so forth. Planchet flaw - An irregular hole in a coin blank, sometimes the result of a lamination that has broken away. Planchet striations - Fine, incuse lines found on some Proof coins, though rarely on business strikes, usually the result of polishing blanks to impart mirrorlike surfaces prior to striking. Polished die - A die that has been basined to remove clash marks or other die injury. In a positive sense, Proof dies were basined to impart mirrorlike surfaces, resulting in coins with reflective field PR - Short for Proof. Premium quality - A term applied to coins that are the best examples within a particular grade. Pristine - A term applied to coins in original, unimpaired condition. These coins typically are graded MS/PR-67 and higher. Proof - A coin usually struck from a specially prepared coin die on a specially prepared planchet. Proofs are usually given more than one blow from the dies and are usually struck with presses operating at slower speeds and higher striking pressure. Because of this extra care, Proofs usually exhibit much sharper detail than regular, or business, strikes. PCGS recognizes Proofs (PR) as those struck in 1817 and later. Those coins struck prior to 1817 are recognized as Specimen strikes (SP). Proof set - A coin set containing Proof issues from particular year. A few sets contain anomalies such as the 1804 dollar and eagle in 1834 presentation Proof sets. Proof-only issue Prooflike Q Quarter Eagle - Correct terminology for a two-and-one-half dollar gold coin. This denomination, two and one half dollars or one fourth of an eagle, was first struck in 1796, struck sporadically thereafter, and discontinued in 1929. R
Rare - A relative term indicating that a coin within a series is very difficult to find. Also, a coin with only a few examples known. A rare Lincoln cent may have thousands known while a relatively common pattern may only have a few dozen known. Rarity - The number of specimens extant of any particular numismatic item. This can be the total number of extant specimens or the number of examples in a particular grade and higher. (This is referred to as condition rarity.) Raw - Numismatic slang for a coin or other numismatic item that has not been encapsulated by a grading service. Rays - Term for the lines that represent sun rays on coins. First used on Continental dollars and Fugio cents, they were also used on some 1853-dated quarters and half dollars as well as 1866 and some 1867 five-cent coins. Real - Numismatic slang for genuine coin. Red - Term used for a copper coin that still retains 95 percent or more of its original mint bloom or color. PCGS allows only slight mellowing of color for this designation (RD). Red-Brown - A copper coin that has from 5 to 95 percent of its original mint color remaining (RB). Redbook - First issued in 1947, this yearly price guide has been the “bible” of printed numismatic retail price guides. Reeded edge - Term for the grooved notches on the edge of some coins. These were first imparted by the Mint’s edge machine, later in the minting process by the use of close Reeding mark(s) - A mark or marks caused when the reeded edge of one coin hits the surface of another coin. The contact may leave just one mark or a series of staccato-like marks. Regular issue - Term for the coins struck for commerce. These may be both Regular and Proof strikes of a regular issue. In addition, there can be die trials of regular issues. Regular strike - Term to denote coins struck with normal coining methods on ordinarily prepared planchets. Synonymous with business strike. Relief - The height of the devices of a particular coin design, expressed in relation to the fields. Replica - A copy, or reproduction, of a particular coin. Repunched date - If a date was punched into the die and then punched in again in a different position it is considered to be a repunched date. A dramatic example of the repunched date is the 1894/94 Indian cent, where the two dates are clear, bold and well separated. Most repunched dates are more subtle, such as the 1887/6 Morgan dollar. Such coins as the 1909/8 $20 gold piece or the 1942/1 Mercury dime are not repunched dates, but Doubled Dies, where the changes were made to the working die from a differently-dated working hub. Restrike Retoned - A term used to describe a coin that has been dipped or cleaned and then has reacquired color, whether naturally or artificially. Reverse - The back, or tails side, of a coin. Usually opposite the date side. Rim - The raised area around the edges of the obverse and reverse of a coin. Pronounced rims resulted from the introduction of the close collar, first used in 1828 for Capped Bust dimes. (The Mint had experimented with close-collar strikings as early as 1820.) Rim ding - Slang for rim nick. Rim nick - Term for a mark or indentation on the rim of a coin or other metallic numismatic item. Roll - A set number of coins “rolled up” in a coin wrapper. In old times, a roll meant the coins were rolled up in a paper wrapper, today they are likely to be slid into a plastic coin tube. Groups of nineteenth century coins are sometimes referred to as rolls when they exist in sufficient quantities even when they might not have come in rolls during their years of issue nor or are they currently in a roll! (Cents are 50 to a roll, nickels 40 to a roll, dimes 50 to a roll, quarters 40 to a roll, half dollars 20 to a roll, and dollars 20 to a roll. Gold coins are sometimes seen in rolls but the number of coins vary. Rolls of five dollar and twenty dollar coins have been rolled 20, 40, and 50 to a roll – other variations are certainly possible. Gold dollars, quarter eagles, three-dollar coins, and eagles have also be seen in rolls of varying quantities.) Rolled Edge - Term synonymous with rim (the raised edge around a coin). This has become part of the vernacular because of the Rolled Edge Indian Head eagle. Roman finish - An experimental Proof surface used mainly on U.S. gold coins of 1909 and 1910. This is a hybrid surface with more reflectivity than Matte surfaces but less than brilliant Proofs. The surface is slightly scaly, similar to that of Satin Proofs. Rub - Term for slight wear, often referring just to the high points or the fields.
S S-Mint - Term applied to the coins struck at the San Francisco, California branch Mint Saint - Slang for the Saint-Gaudens inspired double eagle struck from 1907 until 1933. (The 1933 issue is currently considered illegal to own as the government insists that none of this date were legally released.) This low relief copy of the Extremely High Relief and High Relief designs was the work of Chief Engraver Charles Barber. Saint-Gaudens San Francisco - The United States branch Mint located in San Francisco, California that struck coins from 1854 until 1955. After its closing as a Mint, it served as an assay office until it reopened as a coinage facility in 1965. Satin finish - Another of the experimental Proof surfaces used on U.S. gold coins after 1907. The dies were treated in some manner to create the silky surfaces imparted to the coins. Satin luster - Fine, silky luster seen on many business strike coins, especially copper and nickel issues. Almost no “cartwheel” effect is seen on coins with this type of luster. Scratch - A detracting line that is more severe than a hairline. The size of a coin determines the point at which a line ceases to be viewed as a hairline and instead is regarded a scratch; the larger the coin, the greater the tolerance. A heavy scratch may result in a coin not being graded by PCGS. SD - Short for small date Seated - Short for Liberty Seated. Seated coinage - Term commonly used for Liberty Seated coinage. Semi-prooflike - A term used to describe a coin that has some mirror-like surface mixed with satin or frosty luster. Reflectivity is obscured on such a specimen, unlike the reflectivity on prooflike and deep mirror prooflike coins. Series - A particular design or motif used over a period of time. This can used for a single denomination, or in some cases, used for several denominations. The Liberty Seated series encompasses five denominations, the Barber series three, etc. Set - A term indicating a collection of coins in a series, a collection of types, or a collection from a particular Mint. Examples include a complete series set (Lincoln cents from 1909 to date); a type set of gold coins (8 or 12 piece sets are the most common); a set of branch mint quarter eagles (Dahlonega quarter eagles from 1838 to 1859) Shield - The emblem used on certain issues that has horizontal and vertical lines in a shield shape. These are first found in the center of the heraldic eagle and on each succeeding eagle until the end of the Barber quarter series in 1916. They shield as a single motif first appeared on the two-cent coins of 1864, later also used on the nickels of 1866. Starting in 1860, Indian Head cents used the shield motif at the top of the wreath on the reverse. Shield nickel - Common name for the Shield five-cent coin struck from 1866 until 1883. The 1866 and some 1867 coins have rays between the stars on the reverse and are referred to as Rays type (or With Rays type). Those 1867 through 1883 coins without the rays are called No Rays type. Silver - Term to indicate coins struck in silver (generally 90% silver and 10% copper but there are a few exceptions). Silver commem - Short for silver commemorative coins. Silver commemoratives - Originally, those commemorative coins struck from 1892 until 1954, although not in every year. These are all struck in 90% silver and 10% copper alloy. Of course, those post-1982 silver commemorative issues also could technically be so called. Slab - Numismatic slang for the holder in which a coin is encapsulated by a grading service. The coin contained therein is said to be slabbed. Slabbed - The process of sending a coin to a third-party grading service to have it authenticated, graded, and encapsulated in a sonically sealed holder. Slider - A term used to describe an AU coin that looks, or can be sold as, Uncirculated. Occasionally used as a reference to another grade; a slider EF coin, for example, would be a VF/EF coin that is nearly EF. Small cent - Those cents of reduced size, replacing the large cent in 1857. The 1856 small cents technically are patterns, but have been so widely collected with the regular issues that their acceptance is universal. Small date - Term referring to the size of the digits of the date on a coin. (Use of this term implies that a large or medium date exists for that coin or series.) Small Eagle - The plain eagle on a perch first used on the 1794 half dime and half dollar, although the 1795 half eagle is the first coin to use the term to denote a type coin. Small letters - Term referring to the size of the lettering of the date on a coin. (Use of this term implies that large or medium letters exist for that coin or series.) Small Motto - Common short name for the particular variety of two-cent coin of 1864 with small letters in the motto. The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” was first used as a motto on the two-cent coinage of 1864. Small size - A term referring to the particular diameter of a coin in a series. (Use of this term implies that there is a large size or diameter with the same motif. Examples are the Large and Small size Capped Bust quarters.) Specimen - Term used to indicate special coins struck at the Mint from 1792-1816 that display many characteristics of the later Proof coinage. Prior to 1817, the minting equipment and technology was limited, so these coins do not have the “watery” surfaces of later Proofs nor the evenness of strike of the close collar Proofs. PCGS designates these coins SP. Spot - A discolored area on a coin. This can be a small dot of copper staining on a gold coin or a large, dark “tar” spot on a copper coin. The spot(s) can have a small or large effect on the grade of a coin depending on the severity, size, placement, number, and so on.
Standing Liberty - Motif with Miss Liberty in a upright front-facing position. The design was used in 1907 on the Saint-Gaudens double eagles and later on the Hermon A. MacNeil quarter first struck in 1917. Standing Liberty quarter - Common name of the Hermon MacNeil designed quarter dollar struck from 1917 until 1930. Star - A term for the five-pointed and six-pointed devices used on many U.S. coins. On the earliest U.S. coins, thirteen stars were depicted, representing the thirteen original colonies/states. As new states were admitted into the Union, more stars were added; up to sixteen appeared on some coins. Adding stars for each state was impractical, however, so the number was reduced to the original thirteen. Exception include the forty-six stars, later forty-eight stars, around the periphery of Saint-Gaudens double eagles, reflecting the number of states in the Union at the time those coins were issued. Also, as a single motif, the star was used on the obverse of the three-cent silver issue from 1851 until 1873. State quarter - One of the 1999 and later Washington quarters struck with unique reverse designs for each state, issued in the order of admittance to the United States. Steel cent - Common name for the 1943 cents (and certain 1944 cents struck on left-over steel blanks) struck in steel and plated with zinc. Striations - Term for the incuse polish lines on the die which result in raised lines on coins. These are usually fine, parallel lines though on some coins they are swirling, still others with criss-cross lines. Planchet striations are burnishing lines not struck away by the minting process and are incuse on the coins. Struck - A term used to describe a coin produced from dies and a coining press. Surfaces - The entire obverse and reverse of a coin, although often used to mean just the field areas T Ten Indian - Common name for an Indian Head eagle. Ten Lib - Common name for a Liberty Head eagle. Three - Common name for the Indian Head three-dollar gold coin. Toning - The term for the color seen on many coins. There are infinite shades, hues, and pattern variations seen, the result of how, where, and how long a coin is stored. Every coin begins to tone as it leaves the die, as all United States coins contain reactive metals in varying degrees. Trade dollar - A U.S. silver coin, issued from 1873 until 1885, slightly heavier than the regular silver dollar and specifically intended to facilitate trade in the Far East-hence its name. Trade dollars were made with this marginally higher silver content than standard silver dollars in an effort to gain acceptance for them in commerce throughout the world. Treasure coin - A coin known to have come a shipwreck or from a buried or hidden source. Twenty - Common term for double eagle or twenty-dollar gold coin. Twenty Lib - Common name for Liberty Head double eagle or twenty-dollar gold coin. Two and a Half - Common name for a quarter eagle or two-and-one-half dollar gold coin. Two-cent piece - Term commonly used for the Shield two-cent coin struck from 1864 until 1873. This James Longacre designed coin was the first to feature a shield as a stand-alone motif. Type - A variation in design, size, or metallic content of a specific coin design. Examples include the Small and Heraldic Eagle types of Draped Bust coinage, Large-Size and Small-Size Capped Bust quarters, and the 1943 Lincoln cent struck in zinc-coated steel. Type coin - A representative coin, usually a common date, from a particular issue of a specific design, size, or metallic content. Type One - Term for any coin from the first Type within a Series. Type One Buffalo - A 1913-dated Indian Head five-cent coin with the reverse buffalo (bison) on a raised mound. Type One gold dollar - The Liberty Head design gold dollar struck from 1849 until mid-1854 in Philadelphia and for the full year in Dahlonega and San Francisco. Type One nickel - The Jefferson Head five-cent coin struck from 1938 until mid-1942 and from 1946 until the present day. Type One quarter - The Standing Liberty quarter struck from 1916 to mid-1917. This design features a bare-breasted Miss Liberty, a simple head detail, and no stars under the reverse eagle. Type One twenty - Those Liberty Head double eagles struck from 1850 until mid-1866. These coins did not have a motto on the reverse and had “TWENTY D.” for the denomination. Type Three - Term for any coin from the third Type within a Series. Type Three gold dollar - The Small Indian Head design struck from 1856 until the series ended in 1889. San Francisco did not receive the Type Three dies in time to strike the new design in 1856, those coins from that Mint being the Type Two style. Type Three twenty - Those Liberty Head double eagles struck from 1877 until the series ended in 1907. These coins have the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the reverse and had “TWENTY DOLLARS” for the denomination. Type Two - Term for any coin from the second Type within a Series. Type Two Buffalo - An Indian Head nickel with the reverse buffalo (bison) on level ground. These were struck from mid-1913 until the series ended in 1938. Type Two gold dollar - The Large Indian Head design gold dollar struck from mid-1854 until 1855 in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans while San Francisco did not receive the new dies before the end of 1856 and struck Type Two coins during that year. Type Two nickel - The Jefferson Head five-cent coin struck from mid-1942 until 1945. These are designated by a large mintmark above Monticello on the reverse and are composed of silver, manganese, and copper. These are the first U.S. coins to have a “P” mintmark to indicate their being struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Type Two quarter - The Standing Liberty quarter struck from mid-1917 until the end of the series in 1930. This design features a covered-breast Miss Liberty, a more intricate head design, and three stars under the reverse eagle. Type Two twenty - Those Liberty Head double eagles struck from mid-1866 until 1876. These coins have the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the reverse and had “TWENTY DOL.” for the denomination. U Ultra rarity - Term used for a coin or other numismatic item that is represented by only a few examples. Uncirculated - Term to indicate a coin or numismatic item that has never been in circulation, a coin without wear. See “Brilliant Uncirculated,” “Mint State,” and “new.” V Variety - A coin of the same date and basic design as another but with slight differences. PCGS recognizes all major varieties while there are thousands of minor varieties, most of which have significance only to specialists of the particular series. After hubbed dies, introduced in the 1840s, varieties are mainly variations in date and mintmark size and placement. VDB - Short for 1909 VDB Lincoln Head cent. Controversy arose over having a non-Mint engraver’s initials on a coin, so Victor D. Brenner’s initials were removed. This was likely a jealous complaint from the Chief Engraver Charles Barber as the tiny B on the Barber series had generated no outcry. This is a similar situation to the complaint lodged, again probably by the Chief Engraver of the time William Kneass, against the name-below-base Gobrecht dollars. This overt signing was moved to a less obvious position on the base of the rock of the Gobrecht dollar while, in 1918, the VDB was returned to the Lincoln Head cent albeit in a less conspicuous place on the slanted area at the bottom of Lincoln’s shoulder. W Walking Liberty - Common name for a Walking Liberty half dollar. Walking Liberty half dollar - Those half dollars struck from 1916 until 1947. The Walking Liberty design by A.A. Weinman undoubtedly was inspired by the popular Saint-Gaudens/Charles Barber Liberty Standing double eagle then current. War nickel - Short for Wartime nickel. Wartime nickel - Those five-cent coins struck during World War II comprised of 35% silver, 9% manganese, and 56% copper. Tradition has been that nickel was needed for the war effort, hence the metallic change. However, recent research has shown that the boost to morale by having an intrinsic-value small denomination coin may have played an important part in the issuance of the Wartime nickel. Washington quarter - Short for Washington quarter dollar.
Washington quarter dollar - Weak strike - A term used to describe a coin that does not show intended detail because of improper striking pressure or improperly aligned dies. Wire Edge eagle - The 1907 Indian Head eagle for which only 500 coins were struck. Technically, a pattern, this design featured a fine wire rim and surfaces unlike any other United States issue. The fields and the devices of the die were heavily polished leaving myriad die striations that transferred to the struck coins. With a combination of satiny and striated surfaces, these rare coins have a look of their own. Often, unknowledgeable numismatists will look at one of these specimens and declare it hairlined or harshly cleaned. Worn die - A die that has lost detail from extended use. Dies were often used until they wore out or were excessively cracked or broke apart. Coins struck from worn dies often appear to be weakly struck but no amount of striking pressure will produce detail that does not exist. Wreath cent - Common name for the second large cent type of 1793. Complaints about the Chain cent led to the redesign resulting in the Flowing Hair with wreath reverse type X Y T-Y - Y in the T-Y variety of the 1806 Draped Bust Half Dollar Z Z - Used to denote Z in a block of A-Z
| |
placed in a commercial "dip" solution, a mild acid wash that removes the toning from most coins. 
Double Eagle - Means two eagles, or twenty dollars. 
| Gold Coins |
|---|
 |
| Silver Coins |
|---|
|
| Copper Coins |
|---|
| 1864 Copper Indian Head Cent 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Penny Aethelred the Unready Anglo-Saxon Coin |
|