Coin Glossary


A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
10 Mil
A unit of measurement to describe a width or length of 1/100 of an inch, usually referring to the thickness of metal plating on a medal or coin.
About Good
The grade AG-3. The grade for a coin that is just below good. On an About Good coin, only the main features of it are present. Date, mintmark, peripheral lettering, or other features sometimes are partially worn away.
About Uncirculated
Alternate term for Almost Uncirculated.
Abrasions
Areas of a coin where another coin or a foreign object has displaced metal in an abraded fashion.
Accumulation
  1. A grouping of a particular date, type, or series. Example: an accumulation of Morgan Dollars.
  2. A random grouping of coins, often as a monetary hoard. Opposite of a coin collection.
Adjustment marks
Scratches which appear mostly on pre-1807 silver and gold coinage. These scratches are actually file marks, made at the mint in order to reduce the weight of a coin so that its metal value wouldn't exceed its face value. As a rule, adjustment marks do not reduce the value of a coin nearly as much as a series of equally visible scratches, which were not "mint-applied".
AG
Acronym for About Good.
Album friction
A less severe instance of album slide marks. Album friction shows as slight rubbing on the high points.
Album slide marks
Lines (often parallel) imparted to the surface of a coin by the plastic "slide" of an album, mostly found on proof coins.
Alloy
A combination of two or more metals.
Almost Uncirculated
The grades AU50, 53, 55, and 58. These coins often look Uncirculated at first glance, but closer inspection will reveal slight friction or rub.
Altered surfaces
Cleaning or other impairment that renders a coin less desirable to collectors.
Alteration
A coin that has a date, mintmark, or other feature that has been altered, added, or removed, usually to simulate a rarer issue.
American Numismatic Association
The world's largest organization of coin collectors and dealers. It is a non-profit organization, chartered by an Act of Congress in 1912. Membership is highly recommended. If you are not a member, you should be! Write to them at: 818 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80901.
ANA
Acronym for the "American Numismatic Association."
ANACS certificate
A uniquely numbered opinion of authenticity and/or grade from the ANA Certification Service.
ANACS - (American Numismatic Association Certification Service)
ANACS originated by offering authentication, and later provided grading services. The grading service and acronym were sold by the ANA and now operate under this name as a third-party grading service.
ANE
Acronym for American Numismatic Information Exchange. NGC and PCGS certified coins trade sight-unseen through this electronic network system.
Ancients
Term for coins of the world struck circa 600 B.C. to circa 450 A.D.
Annealing
The heating (and cooling) of a die or planchet to soften the metal before preparation of the die or striking of the coin.
Anvil die
The lower, stationary die. The reverse is usually the anvil die, although on some issues with striking problems, the obverse was employed as the lower die. Because of the physics of minting, the fixed lower-die impression is slightly better struck than the upper-die impression.
Also see: Hammer die
Arrows
Design element usually found in the left (viewer's right) claw of the eagle seen on many US coins.
Arrows and rays
Term referring to 1853 quarters and half dollars. The rays were removed in 1854 because of striking difficulties created by the busy design.
Arrows at date
Term referring to the arrows to the left and right of the date. These were added to the dies to indicate a weight increase or decrease.
Artificial toning
Color added to the surface of a coin by heat and/or chemicals.
Ask
The lowest current asking price of a particular coin issue and grade offered for sale. Also see: Bid
Attributes
The elements that make up a coin's grade. The primary attributes include marks (hairlines for Proofs), luster, strike, and eye appeal.
AU
Acronym for About (Almost) Uncirculated.
Auction
An offering of coins or other items for sale where the buyer must bid against other potential buyers with no set price. This is in contrast with ordering from a catalog, price list, or advertisement at an advertised price.
Authentication
The process of determining genuineness.
Bag
A generic term for the cloth sacks used to transport and store coins. These came into use in the mid-nineteenth century and replaced wooden kegs. Also refers to the quantity of coins of a particular denomination found in a bag (such as 5000 cents or 1000 silver dollars).
Bag marks
Abrasions which occur on coins that were shipped in mint bags. Most often this term applies to silver dollars, although virtually any coin can have bag marks. Bag marks in no way mean that a coin is not mint state. In fact, even a coin graded Mint State-67 or higher could have some bag marks.
Bag toning
Coloring acquired from the bag while a coin was stored. Cloth coin bags contained sulfur and other metal-reactive chemicals. When stored in bags for extended periods, coins in close proximity to the cloth often acquire beautiful red, yellow, blue and other vibrant colors. Sometimes the weave of the cloth is visible in the toning. Some coins have crescent-shaped toning because another coin was covering part of the surface, thus preventing toning. Bag toning is seen most often on Morgan silver dollars.
Barber coinage
Common name for the Charles Barber designed Liberty Head dimes, quarters, and half dollars struck during the 1890s and early 1900s.
Basal state
The condition of a coin that is identifiable only as to date, mintmark (if present), and type; one-year-type coins may not have a date visible.
Basal value
The value base on which Dr. William H. Sheldon's 70-point grade/price system started. The lowest-grade price was one dollar ($1) for the 1794 large cent - upon which he based his system.
Baseball cap coin
Slang for a Pan-Pac commemorative gold dollar coin. The figure on this coin wears a cap similar to a baseball cap.
Basining
The process of polishing a die to create a mirrored surface or to remove clash marks or other damage from a die.
Beaded border
Small round devices around the edge of a coin, often seen on early U.S. coins.
BG Gold
Term sometimes applied to California fractional gold coins as documented in the Breen-Gillio reference work California Pioneer Fraction Gold.
,
Bid
The highest price offered to buy a particular coin issue and grade either on a trading network, pricing newsletter, or other medium.
Also see: Ask
Bidder
  1. A dealer issuing a quotation on an electronic trading system.
  2. A participant in an auction.
Blank
A flat disk of unstruck metal destined to be made into a coin.
Also see: Planchet
Blended
A term applied to an element of a coin (date, design, lettering, etc.) that is worn into another element or the surrounding field.
Bluebook
A blue-cover, wholesale pricing book for United States coins.
Bluesheet
Synonym for the Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter.
BN
Short for Brown; refers to copper coins.
Body bag
Slang term for a coin returned from a grading service in a plastic sleeve within a flip. The coin referred to is deemed a "no-grade" and is not graded or encapsulated. Coins are no-grades for a number of reasons, including questionable authenticity, polishing, cleaning, and/or repair.
Bourse
The Paris stock exchange. This term has come to be synonymous with coin show.
Bourse floor
The physical area where a coin show takes place.
Braided Hair
Style of hair on half cents and large cents from 1840 on. The hair is pulled back into a tight bun drawn with a braided hair cord.
Branch mint
One of the various subsidiary government facilities that struck, or still strikes, coins.
Breast feathers
The central feathers of eagle designs, particularly Morgan dollars. Fully struck coins typically command a premium and the breast feathers are usually the highest point of the reverse.
Breen
The late Walter Breen.
Breen Book
Slang for Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins. It was published in 1988.
Breen letter
A written or typed document by Walter Breen rendering his opinion on a particular numismatic item. Prior to 3rd party certification, this was a common method collectors and dealers used to authenticate a unique item.
Breen-Gillio
Numbering system base on the book California Pioneer Fraction Gold by Walter Breen and Ron Gillio.
Brilliant
Untoned. With no tarnish or oxidation, and with original cartwheel (frosty) or prooflike lustre. Copper coins are considered brilliant if they have full original red.
Brilliant Proof
A particular type of proof coin that has a full mirror surface in the fields.
Brilliant Uncirculated
A generic term for any coin that has not been in circulation.
Bronze
An alloy of copper and tin; special types also contain other elements.
Brown
The term applied to a copper coin that no longer has the red color of copper. It is abbreviated as BN when used as part of a grade or description.
BU
Acronym for Brilliant Uncirculated.
BU rolls
Wrapped coins (usually in paper) in specific quantities for each denomination. Cents are quantity 50, nickels quantity 40, dimes quantity 50, quarters quantity 40, half-dollars and dollars 20, etc.
Buckled die
A warped or distorted die. Can be caused by excess clashing. Often produces coins which are slightly bent.
Buffalo nickel
Slang for the Indian Head nickel, struck from 1913 to 1938. The animal depicted is an American Bison.
Bulged die
A die with a small indentation, formed from clashing. Results in "bulged" coins.
Bullet sale
A trademark of Heritage Numismatic Auctions, referring to a public auction model with an exceptionally short lead-time between the consignment deadline and the sale date.
Bullet toning
See target toning.
Bullion
Ingots, coins, or other issues that trade for their intrinsic metal value. Only precious metals (silver, gold, platinum, and palladium) are included as bullion. Copper could also technically be considered as bullion.
Bullion coin
A legal tender coin that trades at a slight premium to its value as plain metal.
Burn mark
See counting machine mark.
Burnishing
A process in which the surfaces of a coin or a planchet are shined through rubbing or polishing. This term has both a positive and a negative context: In a positive sense, Proof planchets are burnished before they are struck. The procedure was done originally by rubbing wet sand across the surfaces to impart a mirror-like finish. In a negative sense, the surfaces on repaired or altered coins may be burnished by mechanical or chemical methods. For example, a high-speed drill with a wire brush attachment is used to achieve this effect.
Burnishing lines
Lines resulting from burnishing. Typically seen on open-collar Proofs and almost never observed on close-collar Proofs.
Burnt
Slang term for a coin that has been over-dipped. On such a coin, the surfaces are dull and lackluster.
Business strike
A coin which was struck for use in general circulation, as opposed to a proof coin produced strictly for collector purposes.
Also see: Regular strike, Commercial strike
Bust
The head and shoulders of the emblematic Liberty seen on many US issues.
Also see: Capped Bust, Draped Bust
Bust dollar
Slang term for silver dollars struck from 1795 through 1803.
Buyer's Premium
A "Buyer's Premium" is charged in addition to the successful bid according to the rate defined in our terms and conditions.
C
Mintmark indicating coins struck at the Charlotte, North Carolina branch Mint. More information on mintmarks.
C-Mint
Term applied to the gold coins struck at the Charlotte, North Carolina branch Mint. This Mint only struck gold coins from its opening in late 1837 until it was seized by the Confederacy. (Coins struck in late 1837 were actually dated 1838.) More information on mintmarks.
Cabinet friction
Slight friction seen on coins (usually the obverse) that were stored in wooden cabinets used by early collectors. To compound the problem, a soft cloth was often used to wipe dust away, causing light hairlines.
CAM
Abbreviation for Cameo.
Cameo
A proof, or prooflike coin with exceptional contrast between the fields and the devices. On a cameo coin, the fields are mirrorlike, while the devices give a frosty appearance.
Canadian
Term for coins and other numismatic items of Canada. (as in, "Got any Canadian?")
Canadian silver
Slang term for the silver coins of Canada.
Cap Bust
Alternate term for Capped Bust
Capped Bust
A term describing any of the various representations of the head of Miss Liberty depicted on certain early 1807-1839 U.S. coins by a bust with a floppy cap. The design is attributed to John Reich.
Capped die
An error in which a coin gets jammed in the coining press and remains for successive strikes. Eventually a "cap" is formed on either the upper or lower die. These are sometimes spectacular, with the cap often many times taller than a normal coin.
Carbon spot
A dark discoloration on the surface of a coin. It is possible that this discoloration is caused by a planchet imperfection prior to striking, or it may be caused by improper storage of the coin. Regardless of the cause, carbon spots are often difficult, if not impossible, to remove without leaving pits in the coin's surface. If they are large enough, they may significantly lower the grade and value of a coin.
Also, see Copper spot.
Carson City
The United States branch Mint located in Carson City, Nevada that struck coins from 1870 through 1885 and later from 1889 through 1893. More information on mintmarks.
Cartwheel
An effect caused by the natural lustre on most mint state, and on some proof coins. When the coin is tilted back and forth, beams of light seem to circle the central devices of the coin. Also a slang term for Silver Dollar.
Cast blanks
Planchets that are molded, rather than cut from strips of metal.
Cast counterfeit
A replica of a genuine coin created by making molds of the obverse and reverse, then casting base metal in the molds. A seam is usually visible on the edge unless it has been ground down.
Castaing machine
A machine invented by French engineer Jean Castaing that added the edge lettering and devices to early U.S. coins before they were struck. Castaing machines were used until the introduction of close collar dies, which applied the edge device during the striking process.
CC
Mintmark used to indicate coins struck at the Carson City, Nevada branch Mint. More information on mintmarks.
CCDN
Acronym for Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter. Address: PO Box 11099, Torrance, CA
CCE
Acronym for Certified Coin Exchange
CDN
Acronym for Coin Dealer Newsletter
Census
A compilation of the known specimens of a particular numismatic item.
Cent
A denomination valued at one-hundredth of a dollar, struck by the U.S. Mint.
Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter
A weekly newsletter that reports the trading ranges of nearly all U.S. coins.
Certified Coin Exchange
The bid/ask real-time 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.
Chapman Proof
1921 Morgan dollar Proofs supposedly struck for coin dealer Henry Chapman, having cameo devices and deeply mirrored surfaces like most Morgan dollar Proofs.
Charlotte
The United States branch Mint located in Charlotte, North Carolina that only struck gold coins from 1838 until its seizure by the Confederacy in 1861. It never reopened as a mint after the Civil War, although it did serve as an official assay office from 1867 until 1913. More information on mintmarks.
Chasing
A method used by forgers to create a mintmark on a coin. Chasing involves heating the surfaces and moving the metal to form a mintmark.
Choice
An adjective which the A.N.A. applies to coins of MS-65 or Proof-65 grade. Many dealers apply the term to the MS/Proof-63 coins, and call MS/Proof-65 coins "Gem".
Choice Unc
Abbreviation for Choice Uncirculated.
Choice Uncirculated
An Uncirculated coin in grade MS-63 or MS-64.
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.
Circulation strike
A coin meant for commerce. An alternate term for Business Strike or Regular Strike.
Clad
A term used to describe any of the modern "sandwich" coins that have layers of both copper and nickel.
Clad bag
Usually applied to a $1,000 bag of 40% silver half-dollars although it also could apply to any bag of "sandwich" coins.
Clash marks
The images of the dies seen on coins struck from clashed dies.
Clashed dies
Extraneous design detail often appears on a die as a result of two dies coming together without a planchet between them during the minting process. Coins struck from such dies are said to be struck from clashed dies, or to have die clashes or clash marks.
Classic Era
Term for the period from 1792 through 1964 when silver and gold coins of the United States were issued for circulation. (Gold coins were only minted until 1933.)
Classic Head
An image of Miss Liberty that depicts the style of a Roman or Greek athlete wearing a ribbon around the hair.
Cleaned
When a coin has been cleaned with baking soda or other mild abrasives, it may have a slightly washed out appearance. If the lustre or color of a coin appears even the slightest bit unnatural as a result of past cleaning, the coin is usually described as "cleaned" when catalogued for sale.
Cleaning Coins
DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COINS! Just like any antique piece of furniture, or painting, the original surfaces of a coin are much more desirable by collectors than altered or damaged surfaces. As a result, cleaned coins are worth significantly less money than wholly original coins. Even though a coin is dark in color, does not mean that it is less valuable. The metal in coins often oxidizes and produces a wide array of colors called toning. Some collectors hunt for wholly original coins with this type of toning.
Clip
Slang term for a coin struck from a clipped planchet.
Clipped
Term for an irregularly cut planchet. A clip can be straight or curved, depending upon where it was cut.
Clogged die
A die that has a contaminant lodged in the recessed areas. Coins struck from a clogged die will have diminished or even missing detail.
Close collar
An edge device sometimes called a collar die that surrounds the lower die. The close collar imparts reeding (see Reeded edge) or a smooth, plain edge.
Closed collar
Alternate term for close collar
Cohen variety
A die variety for half cents, denoted as C-1, C-2a, etc. Also see: Die Variety
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.
Coin collection
A grouping of coins assembled for fun or profit.
Coin collector
An individual who accumulates coins in a methodical manner.
Coin Dealer Newsletter
A weekly newsletter that reports the wholesale trading ranges of nearly all U.S. coins.
Coin friction
Term applied to the area resulting when coins rub together in rolls or bags and small amounts of metal are displaced.
Also, see Roll friction.
Coin show
An exchange composed of coin dealers displaying their items for sale and trade.
Coin World
A leading weekly numismatic publication established in 1960.
Coinage
The issuance of metallic money of a particular country.
COINage
Monthly numismatic magazine.
Coins Magazine
Monthly numismatic periodical
Collector Technologies, Inc.
Corporate entity that owns and operates AbaCoin.com. Based in Belmont, MA.
Commem
Synonym for "commemorative."
Commemorative
Coins issued to honor some person (D. Boone), place (Mount Rushmore), or event (Special Olympics) and, in many instances, to raise funds for activities related to the theme. Sometimes called NCLT (non-circulating legal tender) commemoratives.
Commercial grade
A synonym for Market Grade.
Commercial strike
A synonym for regular strike or business strike.
Common
A numismatic issue that is readily available. Since this is a relative term, no firm number can be used as an exact cut-off point between common and scarce.
Common date
A particular issue within a series that is readily available. No exact number can be used to determine which coins are common dates as this is relative to the mintage of the series.
Complete set
A term for all possible coins within a series, all types (see Type), or all coins from a particular branch Mint. For example, a complete gold type set would include examples of all types from 1795 until 1933.
Condition
The state of preservation of a particular numismatic item.
Condition Census
A listing of the finest known examples of a particular issue. There is no fixed number of coins in a Condition Census.
Condition rarity
A term to indicate a common coin that is rare when found in high grades.
Consensus grading
The process of evaluating the condition of a coin by using multiple graders.
Conserved
Numismatic conservation involves examination, scientific analysis, and a reliance upon an extensive base of numismatic knowledge to determine the nature of a coin's state of preservation and the extent of any damage. Conservation also encompasses appropriate procedures to protect the coin's original appearance and to guard against future deterioration to whatever extent possible.

Professional conservation should not be confused with "Coin Doctoring", in which an attempt is made to improve the appearance and grade of a coin through deceptive means such as artificial toning and where unaccepted or unorthodox methods are employed. Also not qualifying as conservation is restoration where mechanical repairs are made such as filling holes, smoothing out scratches, and re-engraving of detail.

Contact marks
Marks on a coin that are caused by contact with another coin or a foreign object. These are generally small, compared to other types of marks such as gouges.
Also, see Bag mark.
Contemporary counterfeit
A coin, usually base metal, struck from crude dies and made to pass for legal tender at the time of creation. Sometimes such counterfeits are collected along with the genuine coins, particularly in the case of American Colonial issues.
Continental dollars
"Dollars" struck in pewter (scarce), brass (rare), copper (extremely rare) and silver (extremely rare) that are dated 1776, but likely struck sometime later. Certain Benjamin Franklin sketches inspired the design.
Copper spot
A spot or stain seen on gold coinage, indicating an area of copper concentration that has oxidized. Copper spots or stains can range from tiny dots to large blotches.
Copper-nickel
The alloy (copper 88%, nickel 12%) used for small cents from 1856 through mid-1864.
Copper-Nickel Cent
Cents issued from 1856 through 1864 in the copper-nickel alloy. These were called white cents during the period because of their pale color compared to the earlier red cents.
Coppers
Slang for pre-Federal copper, half cents, and large cents, minted through 1857.
Copy
Any reproduction, fraudulent or otherwise, of a coin.
Copy dies
Dies made at a later date, usually showing slight differences from the originals. Also used to denote counterfeit dies copied directly from a genuine coin.
Coronet Head
Alternate name for Braided Hair design by Christian Gobrecht. This is sometimes also called the Liberty Head design.
Corrosion
Damage which occurs on the surface of some coins, generally due to improper storage. Corrosion is caused when a chemical reaction, such as rust, actually eats into the metal.
Cost
The price paid for a numismatic item.
Counterfeit
Literally, a coin that is not genuine. The term is applied to cast and struck counterfeits as well as issues with altered dates or added mintmarks.
Counting machine mark
A dense patch of lines caused by the rubber wheel of a counting machine. Caused when the wheel spacing was insufficient for the selected coin.
Cud
An area of a coin struck by a die that has a complete break across part of its surface. A cud may be either retained, where the faulty piece of the die is still in place, or full, where the piece of the die has fallen away.
Cupro-nickel
Any alloy of copper and nickel.
D
Mintmark used to identify coins struck at the Dahlonega, Georgia branch Mint from 1838 through 1861 or the Denver, Colorado Mint from 1906 forward. More information on mintmarks.
D-Mint
Term used for the coinage of the branch Mints in Dahlonega, Georgia, or Denver, Colorado. More information on mintmarks.
Dahlonega
The branch Mint located in Dahlonega, Georgia that struck gold coins from 1838 until 1861 when it was seized by the Confederacy. More information on mintmarks.
Date
The numerals on a coin representing the year in which it was struck. Restrikes (see Restrike) are made in years subsequent to the one that appears on them.
DCAM
Abbreviation for Deep Cameo.
Dealer
Someone who's occupation is buying, selling, and trading numismatic material.
Deep Cameo
Term applied to coins, usually Proofs and prooflike coins that have deeply frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the mirror fields.
Deep mirror prooflike
Any coin that has deeply reflective mirror-like fields. While a general term, it is especially applicable for Morgan dollars.
Denomination
The value assigned by a government to a specific coin.
Denticles
The tooth-like projections which make up the inner rim on some coins. They were discontinued on most U.S. coins in the early twentieth century.
Dentils
Alternative term for denticles.
Design
The motif of a coin or other numismatic item. Barber coins and Washington quarters are examples of designs.
Design type
A specific motif placed upon coinage, which may be used for several denominations and subtypes.
Designer
The individual responsible for creating a particular motif used on a numismatic series.
Device
Any specific design element. Often refers to the principal design element.
Device punch
A steel rod with a raised device on the end used to punch the element into a working die. This technique was used before hubbed dies were used as a standard.
Die
A steel rod that is engraved, punched, or hubbed with the date, lettering, devices, and other emblems used to strike a coin.
Die alignment
Term to indicate the relative position of the obverse and reverse dies.
Die break
An area of a coin that is the result of a broken die.
Die cracks
Raised lines, which appear on a coin as a result of that coin having been struck by a cracked die.
Die line
Raised lines, which appear on a coin as a result of polish lines on the die.
Also see: Die striations, Polished die
Die rust
Pitting or roughness appearing on a coin as a result of that coin having been struck by a rusted die.
Die state
A readily identified point in the life of a coinage die. Dies go through a lifecycle - clashing, being polished, cracking, breaking, etc. These are called die states. Some die varieties have gone through barely distinguishable die states, while others display multiple distinctive ones.
Die striations
Raised lines on coins that were struck with polished dies.
Die trial
The test striking of a particular die in a different metal.
Die variety
A coin which has already been attributed by date, denomination, mintmark, and major variety (such as Morgan Dollar, 1879-S, Reverse of '78) can often still be identified by die variety. Research has been done in many series assigning numbers to the various combinations of dies known to have struck coins of each of the various years and mintmarks.
Die wear
The loss of detail on a coin due to wear on the die used to strike it (rather than wear on the coin itself).
Dime
The denomination, one tenth of a dollar, issued since 1796 by the United States.
Ding
Slang for a small- to medium-sized mark on a coin.
Also see: Rim ding
Dipped
A coin which has been cleaned in a soap solution, the most popular of which is called Jewel Luster, is said to have been dipped. The term "dipped" is not necessary in, say, a catalog description of a coin, unless the dipping has caused noticeable dulling of lustre, or an otherwise unnatural appearance (typically on copper coins). The practice of dipping coins is not advisable, except by bonafide experts, and then only on rare occasions.
Dipping solution
Any of the commercial cleaners or "dips"on the market, usually acid-based.
Disme
The original spelling of dime. It is thought to have been have been pronounced to rhyme with ream (the s being silent). This spelling was used in Mint documents until the 1830s and was officially changed by the Coinage Act of 1837.
DMPL
Abbreviation for Deep Mirror Prooflike. An exceptionally deep mirror-like prooflike coin with little, if any, cartwheel lustre. Also see: DPL
Doctored
Typically considered a derogatory term. A doctored coin has been enhanced by chemical or other means.
Dollar
A denomination consisting of one hundred cents authorized by the Mint Act of 1792. This is the anglicized spelling of the European Thaler and was used because of the worldwide acceptance of the Thaler and the Spanish Milled dollar (or piece-of-eight).
Double Eagle
Literally two eagles, or twenty dollars. A twenty-dollar U.S. gold coin issued from 1850 through 1932.
Double(d) die
A die that has been struck more than one time by a hub in misaligned positions, resulting in doubling of design elements. If shifting occurs in the alignment between a hub and a die, the die will have some of its features doubled. This doubling is then imparted to every coin it strikes. The coins struck from such dies are called doubled-die errors. The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent is one such error.
Double-struck
A condition that results when a coin is not ejected from a die and is struck a second time (hence double-struck). Triple-struck coins and other multiple strikings also are known. Proofs are usually intentionally double-struck in order to sharpen their details; this is sometimes visible under magnification.
Draped Bust
The design of Miss Liberty with a drape across her bust. This is attributed to Mint engraver Robert Scot, who presumably copied the design after a portrait by Gilbert Stuart.
Drift mark
An area on a coin, often rather long, that appears streaky or discolored. This is the result of impurities or foreign matter in the dies.
Dull
Term for a numismatic item that lacks luster. Dulling may be the result of natural or artificial conditions.
EAC
Abbreviation for Early American Coppers
Eagle
A gold coin with a face value of ten dollars. Along with the dollar, the eagle was the basis of the U.S. currency system from 1792 through 1971.
Early American Coppers (Club)
A club dedicated to advancing the study of pre-1857 United States copper coinage including Colonials.
ED
Acronym for environmental damage.
Edge
The third side of a coin. It may be reeded, ornamented, or plain.
Edge device
Letters or emblems on the edge of a coin. Examples would be the stars and lettering on the edge of Saint-Gaudens double eagles.
EF
Acronym for Extremely Fine
Electrotype
A duplicate coin created by the electrolytic method, where metal is deposited into a mold made from the original. The obverse and reverse metal shells are then filled with metal and fused together. The edges are then sometimes filed smooth to obscure the seam.
Elements
The various devices and emblems seen on coins.
Eliasberg
Short for Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., who was the only collector ever to assemble a complete collection of United States coins.
Emission sequence
The order in which die states are struck. Also, the die use sequence for a particular issue.
Engraver
The person responsible for the design and/or punches used to craft a coin.
Envelope toning
Coloration that results from storage in small manila "coin envelopes". Most paper envelopes contain reactive chemicals.
Environmental damage
Corrosion-effect seen on a coin that has been exposed to the elements. The damage may range from minor dulling to severe pitting.
Eroded die
Synonym for a worn die.
Error
A numismatic item that unintentionally varies from the norm. Overdates and overmintmarks are not considered errors since they were done intentionally. Other die-cutting "mistakes" are considered errors. Double dies, planchet clips, and off-metal strikings are also considered errors.
Essai
Term for trial or pattern strikings. The anglicized version is essay and literally means a test or trial.
Expert
A specialist in a particular numismatic area. (i.e. A gold expert, a Morgan Dollar expert, a CC-Mint expert, etc.)
Extra Fine
Alternate term for Extremely Fine.
Extremely Fine
Term for the grades EF40 and EF45.
Extremely High Relief
The 1907 double eagle issue designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. The coin had so much depth that multiple punches from a powerful press were required to fully bring up the detail. Because of this difficulty, the design was lowered, resulting in the High Relief. This too was lowered to create the Standing Liberty double eagle, or Saint.
Eye appeal
The aesthetic effect a coin has on its viewer. Although quite subjective, like any form of art, that which constitutes eye appeal is generally agreed upon by most experienced numismatists.
F
Abbreviation for Fine
Fair
The grade FR-2.
Fake
A counterfeit or altered coin.
Fantasy piece
A term applied to coins struck at the whim of Mint officials. Examples include the various 1865 Motto and 1866 No Motto coins.
Fasces
Term referring to the motif on the reverse of Mercury dimes. The design consists of a bundle of rods banded (wrapped) around an ax with a protruding blade. The designation "full bands" refers to fasces on which there is complete separation in the central bands across the rods.
Fat head
Term for the Small Size Capped Bust quarters and half eagles.
FB
Acronym for Full Bands.
FBL
Acronym for Full Bell Lines.
FH
Acronym for Full Head.
Fiat currency
Coins or paper money that do not have metal value or are not backed by metal value.
Field
The flat (or slightly curved) portion of a coin where there is no design.
Fine
Term for the grades F-12 and F-15.
Finest known
The best-known condition example of a particular numismatic item.
First shot
Term for the opportunity to buy a numismatic item before it is offered to others.
First strike
A coin struck early in the life of a die. First strikes can be characterized by striated or mirror-like fields if the die was polished. First strikes are almost always fully or well struck, with crisp detail.
Five
Term for a five-dollar gold coin or half eagle.
Five Indian
Term for the Indian Head half eagles struck from 1908 to 1929.
Five Lib
Term for the Liberty Head half eagles struck from 1839 until 1908.
Fixed price list
A listing of items for sale at established prices.
Flat edge
Term referring to the particular specimens of High Reliefs that do not have a wire edge.
Also see: Wire edge
Flat luster
A subdued type of gray or dull luster often seen on coins struck from worn dies.
Flip
  1. A clear, flexible plastic holder used to display and store coins. Also see: PVC.
  2. To quickly sell a recently purchased item - usually for a fast profit.
Flip rub
Discoloration, often only slight, on the highest points of a coin caused by contact with a flip.
Flow lines
Lines, sometimes visible, resulting from the metal flowing outward from the center of a planchet as it is struck. Cartwheel lustre is the result of light reflecting from flow lines.
Flowing Hair
The design of Miss Liberty with long, flowing hair that is attributed to Mint engraver Robert Scot.
Flying Eagle
Term for Flying Eagle Cent.
Flying Eagle Cent
The small cent, struck in 88% copper and 12% nickel, that replaced the large cent.
Focal area
The area of a coin to which a viewer's eye is drawn. Liberty's cheek is the focal point of the Morgan Dollar.
Foreign
A numismatic item not from the United States.
Four-dollar gold piece
An experimental issue, also known as a stella, struck in 1879-1880 as a pattern coin.
FPL
Acronym for Fixed Price List.
FR
Acronym for Fair.
Franklin
Synonym for Franklin half-dollar.
Franklin half-dollar
The half-dollar struck from 1948 until 1963 designed by John Sinnock. The coin featured Ben Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse.
Friction
A disturbance which appears either on the high-points of a coin or in the fields, as a result of that coin rubbing against other objects. A coin is said to have friction when only the lustre is disturbed, and no actual wear of the metal is visible to the naked eye.
Frost
An effect seen on the raised parts of a coin whereby the metal appears crystallized.
Frosted devices
Raised elements on coins struck with treated dies to impart a crystallized appearance.
FS
Acronym for Full Steps.
Fugio cents
1787 one-cent coins that are considered by some to be the first regular issue U. S. coin. Since they were authorized by the Continental Congress, this would seem to be a logical assumption. However, Congress did not pass the Mint Act until 1792, so an argument for the half dismes (half-dimes) of 1792 as the first regular issue is also valid.
Full Bands
Abbreviated as FB, this term is applied to Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dimes when the central band is fully separated.
Full Bell Lines
Abbreviated as FBL, this term is applied to Franklin half-dollars when the lower sets of bell lines are complete.
Full Head
Abbreviated as FH, this term is applied to Standing Liberty quarters when the helmet of the head has full detail.
Full Steps
Term applied to a Jefferson five-cent piece when 5½ or 6 steps of Monticello are present.
Full strike
A numismatic item that has full detail. The metal flows into all areas of the die.
FUN Show
The annual convention sponsored by the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) held in early January. Considered by most dealers to be the best coin show of the year!
Galvano
The large metal relief turned in a portrait lathe to become a steel hub.
Garrett
Term relating to the Garrett family. There were two main collectors, Thomas H. Garrett and John W. Garrett, who formed this extensive collection from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. It was later given to Johns Hopkins University and sold in five auction sales.
Gem
An adjective that the A.N.A. applies to coins which grade Mint State or Proof-67. Most dealers, however, apply the adjective to any coin which they grade MS/Proof-65.
Gem BU
Synonym for Gem Brilliant Uncirculated.
Gem Unc
Synonym for Gem Uncirculated.
Gem Uncirculated
See Gem.
Gobrecht
Synonym for "Gobrecht dollar."
Gobrecht dollar
Silver dollars dated 1836, 1838, and 1839 struck in those years and later restruck. These are named for their designer, Christian Gobrecht, Chief Engraver from 1840 to 1844.
Gold commem
Synonym for gold commemorative.
Gold commemorative
Any of the eleven gold coins struck from 1903 until 1926 to honor a person, place, or event. Also, any of the modern United States commemorative gold issues sometimes referred to as modern gold commems.
Gold dollar
Small coins of one-dollar denomination struck from 1849 until 1889.
Good
The grades G-4 and G-6.
Grade
The numerical or adjectival condition of a coin.
Grader
A person who evaluates the condition of coins.
Grading
The process of numerically quantifying the condition of a coin.
Greysheet
A synonym for the Coin Dealer Newsletter.
Hair
The area of a coin that represents hair and may be an important aspect of the grade.
Hairlines
Thin, shallow scratches on the surface of a coin, usually caused by improper cleaning, or mishandling. Hairlines are found on virtually all proof coins, and are considered the most important single factor in grading high quality proof coins. They sometimes appear on business strikes as well. Hairlines tend to show up more often on proof-like business strikes.
Half
Synonym for half-dollar.
Half cent
The lowest-value coin denomination ever issued by the U. S., representing 1/200th of a dollar. Half cents were struck from 1793 until 1857.
Half disme
The original spelling of half dime. The first United States regular issue was the 1792 half disme supposedly struck in John Harper's basement using the newly acquired Mint presses.
Half Dollar
The denomination first struck in 1794 that is still issued 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 that is non-stationary. While usually the obverse, on some issues with striking problems, the reverse was employed as the hammer die.
Also see: Anvil die
Haze
A cloudy film seen on business-strike coins and Proofs. It may occur naturally or be added.
Heraldic Eagle
Also called the large eagle, this emblem of Liberty got its name because of its resemblance to the eagles of heraldry.
Heritage Value Index™
The Heritage Value Index™ is based on recent wholesale and auction transactions for NGC and PCGS certified coins. Infrequently traded coins may therefore show outdated prices. Our experts constantly refine and adjust individual prices based on their trading experience, but errors are still possible. If you notice any mistakes in the prices listed, or can suggest adjustments based upon more recent sales records, please e-mail your comments to JimS@HA.com so we can adjust these prices accordingly. These value ranges should not be considered an offer to buy or sell. Many factors go into pricing coins including relative rarity and eye appeal. The listed prices do not apply to coins graded by services other than NGC and PCGS, and even some NGC and PCGS coins may sell for substantially under or over these price ranges. Please use them as an indication only.
High end
A term applied to any coin at the upper end of a particular grade.
Also see: Premium quality
High Relief
A coin with deep concave fields, due to its design. High relief coins required extra pressure to be fully struck, and were difficult to stack. Therefore, the few coins struck in high relief by the U.S. Mint (such as the 1921 Peace dollar and the 1907 Roman Numerals double eagle) were each made for only one year.
Hoard
A group of coins held for either numismatic or monetary reasons.
Hoard coin
A coin that exists, or existed, in a quantity held by an individual, organization, etc. Examples include Stone Mountain half dollars still held by the Daughters of the Confederacy.
Hoarder
An individual who amasses a great quantity of a numismatic item.
Hobo nickel
An Indian Head (Buffalo) nickel which has been engraved with the portrait of a hobo or other character, often by a hobo. These are popular with some collectors and some are so distinctive that they have been attributed to particular "hoboes."
Holder toning
Any toning acquired by a coin as a result of storage in a holder.
Hub
Minting term for the steel device that is used to produce a die.
Impaired Proof
A Proof coin that grades lower than PR-60.
Also see: Mishandled Proof
Incomplete strike
A coin that is missing design detail because of a problem during the striking process. An incomplete strike may be due to insufficient striking pressure or improperly spaced dies.
Incuse design
The intaglio design used on Indian Head quarter eagles and half eagles. The devices on these coins were recessed to try and deter counterfeiting and improve durability.
Independent Coin Grading Company (ICG)
ICG is a grading service located in Englewood, CO.
Indian cent
Synonym for an Indian Head cent.
Indian Head cent
Cents struck from 1859 until 1909 designed by James Longacre.
Indian Head eagle
The Saint-Gaudens designed ten-dollar gold coin struck from 1907 until 1933.
Indian penny
Synonym for Indian Head cent.
Intrinsic value
The value of the metal(s) contained in a numismatic item. The United States issues contained their intrinsic value in metal until 1933 for gold coins and 1964 for silver coins. Modern U.S. coins are termed fiat currency (see Fiat currency).
Iridescencent
Probably the most desirable form of toning on a silver or nickel coin. Iridescent toning covers virtually all of the coin's surface, while still permitting all of the coin's natural lustre to shine through with its full intensity.
Jefferson nickel
The five-cent coin struck beginning in 1938 through to this day. Felix Schlag was the designer.
Knife edge
Synonym for wire edge.
Lamination
A form of planchet flaw caused by imperfections in the metal, whereby a thin strip of the metal separates itself from the coin.
Large cent
A large copper U.S. coin - issued from 1793 until 1857 - valued at one-hundredth of a dollar. It was later replaced by a much smaller cent made from a copper-nickel alloy.
Large date
Term referring to the size of the digits of the date on a coin. The use of this term implies that a medium or small date exists for the coin or series.
Large Eagle
 Synonym for Heraldic Eagle.
Large letters
Term referring to the size of the lettering of the date on a coin. The use of this term implies that medium or small letters exist for the coin or series.
Large Motto
Synonym for the 1864 two-cent coin with large lettering for the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST". Congress mandated this inscription for all coinage and it has been used on nearly every coin since that time.
Also see: Small Motto
Large size
A term referring to the particular diameter of a coin in a series. The use of this term implies that there is a small size with the same motif.
LD
Acronym for large date.
Legend
Any phrase that appears on a coin. For example "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA".
Lettered edge
A coin edge that displays an inscription or other design elements, rather than being plain or reeded (see Reeded Edge).
Lettering
The alphabet characters used in creating legends, mottos, and other inscriptions on a coin.
Lib
Term for Liberty Head. (i.e. a $10 Lib, a $20 Lib).
Liberty
A 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. This design was 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. Morgan dollars and Barber coinage are also sometimes referred to as Liberty Head coins.
Liberty Seated
The motif featuring Miss Liberty seated on a rock first used on the Gobrecht dollars of 1836-1839. This design was used on nearly all regular issue silver coinage from 1837 through 1891.
Lincoln
Synonym for a Lincoln Head cent.
Lincoln cent
Cent designed by Victor D. Brenner that was first issued in 1909 and continues through today, although the reverse design was changed to the Memorial Reverse in 1959.
Lincoln penny
Synonym for Lincoln Head cent.
Lint mark
A characteristic that occurs mostly on proof coins as a result of a piece of lint on the die or planchet during the striking process. This lint creates an incused scratch-like mark on the coin. Lint marks are distinguishable from hairlines by their evenness of depth and lack of raised ridges on their borders. They are also identifiable by their interesting thread-like shapes. Since a lint mark is mint-caused, it has a much smaller effect on the grade and value of a coin than a hairline of equal size and prominence.
LL
Acronym for large letters.
Long Beach
Synonym for the Long Beach Coin and Stamp Exhibition held in Long Beach, California, America's largest commercial coin show. This show is held three times a year, usually in February, June, and October.
Lot
A unique number assigned by an auction house to an item or items sold in a particular sale.
Loupe
A magnifying glass used to examine coins.
Luster
Synonym for lustre.
Lustre
The brightness of a coin that results from the way in which it reflects light. Many different types of lustre exist, and one of the trickiest parts of the grading process is determining whether the lustre of a coin is artificial (see whizzed), natural as made, or diminished through wear, friction, cleaning, or other factors.
Lustrous
A term used to describe a coin that still has its original mint bloom.
Major variety
A coin that is widely recognized as having a major difference from other coins of the same date, design, type, and mint.
Also see: Minor variety
Market grade
The grade at which most reputable dealers and auction houses would offer an uncertified coin.
Marks
Imperfections acquired after a coin is struck.
Master die
The main die produced from the master hub. Also see: Master die, Working hub, and Working die
Master hub
The original hub created by the portrait lathe. Master dies are created from this hub.
Matte Proof
A certain type of proof minted in the U.S. mostly from 1908 to 1916. Gold and silver matte proofs have a dull, granular (i.e. sandblasted) finish without any mirror-like qualities. Copper and nickel matte proofs are really more like Roman finish proofs. Also see: Roman Finish
MD
Acronym for medium date.
Medal press
A high-pressure coining press acquired by the U.S. Mint, in the 1850s. It was used to strike medals, and other issues.
Medium date
Term referring to the size of the digits of the date on a coin. The use of this term implies that a large or small date exists for the coin or series.
Medium letters
Term referring to the size of the lettering on a coin. The use of this term implies that large or small letters exist for that coin or series.
Melt
Term for the intrinsic metal value of a coin.
Mercury dime
Common name for the Winged Liberty Head dime issued from 1916 through 1945. (Also "Merc").
Metal stress lines
Radial lines, sometimes visible, caused by metal flowing outward from the center of the planchet during the minting process.
Also see: Flow lines
Mil
A unit of measurement to describe length or width. Equals 1/1000 of an inch, usually referring to the thickness of metal plating on a medal or coin.
Milling mark
A series of two or more small nicks on a coin which result from contact with the reeded edge of another coin, usually in a mint bag. Milling marks are generally more detrimental to the grade than normal bagmarks, because of their severity of depth and greater visual impact. Also see: Reeding Mark.
Minor variety
A coin that has a minor difference from other coins of the same design, type, date, and mint.
Also see: Major variety
Mint
A facility where coins are crafted.
Mint bloom
Original lustre that is still visible on a coin.
Also see: Lustre
Mint error
Also see: Error
Mint set
A group of Uncirculated coins from a particular year, usually comprising coins from each Mint.
Mint set toning
Term referring to toning acquired by coins after years of storage in their original cardboard holders.
Mint State
Describes a coin that has never been in circulation. Thus, the coin has no wear. A mint state coin may still be weakly struck, and therefore lack the detail of even a lower grade coin. All mint state coins have some imperfections if you study them hard enough. The term "Mint State" may also correctly be applied to coins that were struck as proofs.
Mintage
The number of coins of a particular date struck at a given mint during a specific year.
Mintmark
Letter(s) stamped into a coin to denote the mint at which it was struck. More information on mintmarks.
Mis-struck
Term applied to "error coins" with striking irregularities.
Mishandled Proof
A proof coin that somehow escaped into circulation or was otherwise significantly abused.
ML
Acronym for medium letters.
Morgan
Synonym for Morgan dollar.
Morgan dollar
Term for the Liberty Head silver dollar struck from 1878 through 1904 and once again in 1921. George Morgan was only an assistant engraver, but his design for the dollar was selected over William Barber's.
Mottled toning
Splotchy, uneven toning.
Motto
An inscription on a coin. The most popular being IN GOD WE TRUST, which first appeared on the 1864 two-cent piece and is now is required on all U.S. coinage.
MS
Acronym for Mint State.
Mule
A coin or note with a mismatched obverse and reverse. This may mean different types, different denominations, or even different countries.
Multiple-struck
Also see: Double-struck
Mutilated
A coin that has been damaged to the point where it no longer can be graded.
New
Term for a coin that never has been in circulation.
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. More information on mintmarks.
NGC
Acronym for Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, located in Parsippany, NJ. Currently the leading coin grading service.
NGC Census Report
Quarterly publication issued by NGC listing the number of coins graded and their grade.
Nickel
Popular term for a five-cent piece.
No Arrows
Term applied to coins without arrows by their dates during years when other coins had arrows by the date. (i.e. the 1853 Arrows half dime and the 1853 No Arrows half dime.)
No Motto
Coins struck without the motto, "IN GOD WE TRUST".
No Stars
Term referring to the Gobrecht-designed Liberty Seated coins without stars.
No "CENTS" nickel
Liberty Head nickels struck in 1883 without a denomination. The lack of a denomination was very confusing to the public and led to the "racketeer" nickel scandal.
Also see: Racketeer nickel
No-grade
Term applied to a coin returned from a third-party grading service that was not encapsulated. This can be due to questionable authenticity, cleaning, damage, or other reasons.
Not Sold
This indicates an item that did not sell at auction because it did not receive bids equal to or greater than the reserve (minimum bid) amount set by the consignor.
Numerical grading
The Sheldon 1-70 scale employed by NGC, PCGS, and other third-party grading services.
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation