Coin Definitions

Alloy - Coin metal that is made from two or more different metals blended together in the molten state. There are several reasons for not using metals in their pure state. Gold for instance is too soft and subject to wear if not alloyed with a tougher substance. Sometimes alloying is done for economic reasons or to improve the appearance of a coin. The practice of coins being alloyed goes back to ancient times.

A.N.A. - American Numismatic Association - An educational, nonprofit organization that is the largest and most active numismatic body in the world. It invites and welcomes to membership all persons who have a sincere interest in numismatics, whether they collect coins, paper money, tokens or medals, whether advanced collectors or those only generally interested in the subject.

Attribution - The process of assigning a coin to a certain country, era, or ruler; or even to a particular year of issue. Most coins can be attributed without difficulty, either on sight or with the help of one of the standard reference guides.

Bag Marks - Can be scratches or minor abrasions caused by coins knocking against each other in bags.

Basemetal - Any metal other than silver, gold, or platinum.

Blank - This is another term for planchet or flan: the circular piece of metal, of the size and weight of the finished coin, prior to its striking. Blanks are now stamped out by machine whereas in early times they were customarily cut with special shears from a cob of metal.

Broadstrike - A coin with a larger than normal diameter. This is actually not an oversize planchet but a striking error. The coin is struck without the protective collar and thereby is spread, by impact, beyond its normal dimensions.

Brockage - A misstruck coin, generally one showing the normal design on one side and a mirror image design on the other side.

Bullion - Uncoined gold or silver in the form of bars or ingots.

Business Strike - A coin given only one blow from the dies, intended for normal circulation or commercial use; same as a production coin, opposite of proof.

Commemorative - A coin issued to mark a special event or to honor an outstanding person.

Die - A piece of metal engraved with a design for use in stamping coins.

Die Crack - A fine raised line on a coin caused by a broken die.

Die Variety - Any minor alteration in the basic design of a coin.

Double Struck - Said of any coin, which has received two impressions from the working dies in accidentally imperfect alignment.

Double Die - A die that received one of its several blows from a hub or device punch in accidentally imperfect alignment.

Fineness - The purity of gold or silver, always expressed in terms of one thousand parts.

Flan - A blank piece of metal in the size and shape of a coin. Also called planchet.

Gem - Applied to an Uncirculated or Proof coin, denotes "flawless" and suggest "high aesthetic quality."

Incuse - The design of a coin which has been impressed below the coin's surface. When the design is raised above the coins surface it is said to be in relief.

Inscription - The legend or lettering on a coin. Several two pounds coins contain an inscription on the edge.

Legend - The principal inscription on a coin.

Lettered Edge - The narrow edge of a coin bearing an inscription.

Mint Error - A misstruck or defective coin produced by a mint.

Mint Luster - The "frost" on the surface of an Uncirculated or "Mint State" coin.

Mint Set - Group of Uncirculated coins of one date, as sold by the mint in the year of issue.

Mint State - Same as Uncirculated. A coin free of any trace of wear.

Mintage - The process of striking coins. Quantity coined.

Mintmark - A symbol, usually a small letter, used to indicate at which mint a coin was struck.

Motto - An inspirational word or phrase used on a coin. An example might be “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

Numismatic - Of or pertaining to coins or currency.

Numismatics - The study of coins, currency, and often medals.

Numismatist - A person who studies coins, currency, and often medals.

Obverse - The front or face side of a coin, the side with the monarch's effigy.

Off Center - Said of a coin only partly resting within the coining chamber at striking.

Overdate - A date made by superimposing one more numbers on a previously dated die.

Overmintmark - Variety in which a Mintmark is over punched in the die with a different one.

Overstrike - An impression made with new dies on a previously struck coin.

Planchet - The blank piece of metal on which a coin design is stamped.

Prooflike - An exceptional production coin, struck from brilliantly polished dies on a blank which may or may not also have been polished before striking.

Proofs - Coins struck for collectors using specially polished dies.

Proof Set - Group of proof coins of one date, as sold by the mint in the year of issue.

Rare - Said of a coin of which only a limited number exist in collectors' hands.

Reeded Edge - The edge of a coin with grooved lines that run vertically around its perimeter.

Relief - Any part of a coin's design that is raised above the coin's surface is said to be in relief. The opposite of relief is incuse.

Restrike - A coin struck from a genuine die at a date later than the original issue.

Reverse - The side of a coin carrying the design of lesser importance. Opposite of the obverse side.

Rim - The raised portion of a coin, which protects the design from, wear.

Scarce - In short supply, but with more survivors accessible than of a coin labeled rare.

Series - One coin of each year issued from each mint of a specific design and denomination.

Slabbed - A tamperproof plastic holder for a coin that was authenticated, graded, and encapsulated by a third party for a fee.

Token - A privately issued piece with an exchange value, but not an official government coin.

Truncation - The sharply cut off bottom edge of a bust.

Type - A coin's basic distinguishing design.

Uncirculated - A Mint State coin free of any trace of wear.

Unique - An item of which one specimen only is known to exist.

Variety - Any coin recognizably different in dies from another of the same design, type, date and mint.

Coin Definitions

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