-A-
| Adjustment
Marks |
Marks
caused by filing a planchet before striking to reduce its weight to the
standard, as was sometimes done for early U.S. coinage |
| Alloy |
A combination
of two or more metals, such as electrum or cupro-nickel. |
| ANACS |
American
Numismatic Association Certification Service |
| Anvil
Die |
The die
that produces the back, or tail, side of the coin |
| Attribute |
noun:
A specific characteristic of a coin.
verb:
Identifying a coin via the origin, denomination, type, date, mintmark,
variety, etc. |
| Authentication |
Determination
by a numismatic expert as to the status of a coin being original and genuine
- not counterfeit. |
|
-B-
| Bag
Marks |
Scratches
or minor abrasions caused by coins knocking against each other
in bags. As the Mint transports its coins in bags, it is natural for uncirculated
specimens to exhibit such abrasions. |
| Bar
Cent |
A token
struck in this country shortly after the War of Independence - so called
because it carries a series of bars on the reverse. On the obverse is the
lettering "U.S.A." in script, without any further design or date. |
Barber
Dime,
Quarter,
Half Dollar |
Coins
of these denominations were designed by Charles E. Barber, chief engraver
at the mint in the late 19th century. |
| Base
Metal |
Any metal
other than Gold, Silver or Platinum. |
| Bath
Metal |
Metal
made from an alloy of zinc and copper. Used in Britain in the 18th century
for tokens and sometimes for medals. |
| Blank |
Another
term for planchet or flan: the circular piece of metal, of the size and
weight of the finished coin, prior to striking. Today blanks are stamped
out by machine in a high-speed process. In early times they were customarily
cut with special shears from a cob of metal. Also called type 1 planchet. |
| Blanking
Sheet |
|
| Blanking
Press |
|
| Blemishes |
Minor
nicks, marks, flaws or spots of discoloration that mar the surface of a
coin. |
| BN |
Short
for Brown |
| Booby
Head |
A variety
of the Large Cent for 1839, in which the portrait of Liberty is amateurishly
engraved and has a clownish appearance. |
| Bourse |
A gathering
of coin dealers at a show or convention, generally at tables. |
| Broadstrike |
Coin
of a larger than normal diameter. This is actually not a planchet but a
striking error. The coin is struck without a protective collar and is then
spread by impact beyond its normal dimensions. Broadstruck coinage will
be larger than the normal variety,with distortion around the edges,and
reeding will be missing on reeded edge coins. Also notated as B/S |
| Brockage |
A mirror
image of the coin design impressed on the opposite side of the same coin.This
is for early stages only, as the die cap thins out, it will go from reversed
image to almost blank, to a ghost image of the normal coin.(see die cap) |
| Bronze |
A composition
generally of 90% copper, 4% tin, 1% zinc, used for coinage since ancient
times. The formula has varied in different places and eras. |
| B/S |
Broad
Struck |
| BU |
Brilliant
Uncirculated, Best Uncirculated or Bright Uncirculated. It can also be
described as UNC, Uncirulated or Mint State. |
| Buckled
Die |
A die
that has been warped in some way, possibly from excess clashing, and that
produces coins which are slightly,bent. |
| Bulged
die |
A die
that has been clashed so many times that a small indentation is formed
in it. |
| Bullion |
A metal
which has yet been struck into coinage. Gold and Silver coins frequently
use this term as bullion content to describe the amount of gold or silver
in a minted coin. |
| Business
Strike |
A coin
struck for circulation |
| Bust |
Usually
referred to as the portrait on a coin. A bust could be anything from a
head and neck to a likeness encompassing a third of the body, but most
often meant to mean the head, neck and upper portion of the shoulders. |
|
-C-
| Capped
Die |
A capped
die is caused when a struck coin sticks to the upper hammer die. Once the
coin is stuck to the die face, the reverse of the struck coin becomes the
new die face. When the next blank is fed into the collar and the strike
occurs, the reverse design of the adhered struck coin impresses itself
into the new blank. This struck coin is a brockage strike. The coin adhered
to the upper die is known as a die cap. |
| Cameo |
A coin,
usually a Proof strike, with a frosted or satiny central device surrounded
by a mirrorlike field. |
| Casting |
A method
of manufacturing coins, in which striking is not done. The metal is poured
while molten hot into dies bearing recessed designs, and fills up the the
crevices of the design. When dry and hard, the finished coin is removed
from the mold or cast, and has an appearance similar to that of a struck
coin. Casting was the usual process for making medals. |
| Certified |
A coin
that has been assigned a grade, determined to be genuine and packaged in
a sealed holder, by a company that professionally performs these services. |
| Chatter
Clash |
|
CHOICE,
GEM,
SUPERB
GEM |
Terms
describing varying conditions of UNCIRCULATED coins, usually relating to
the quantity and location of marks on the coin, appearance of luster on
then coin's surfaces and quality of the strike |
| Clad |
Composed
of more than one layer, such as the copper-nickel over copper composition
of U.S. dimes, quarters, and halves minted presently |
| Clash
Marks |
Elements
of designs from the opposite side of a coin which is the result of coin
dies clashing into one another when no planchet is present during the
striking
process. |
| Clashed
Die |
When
coin Dies are driven together, in the act of striking, but because of mechanical
failure no planchet has come between them, they "Clash." It is customary
in these instances for an impression of each die to be transferred to the
other, and for coins subsequently struck from those dies to carry
traces of the ghost image |
Clip,
or
Clipped
Planchet |
An incomplete
coin, missing 10%-25% of the metal, resulting from steel rods used to punchout
blanks from metal strip overlap a portion of the strip already punched. |
| Coining |
The manufacturing
of coins. |
| Collar |
A circular
steel ring, into which the planchet is set prior to striking. It serves
to prevent the planchet from spreading out from the force of impact of
the dies. If the coin is to have a reeded edge, these markings will be
present on the collar, to be transferred to the planchet. |
| Commemorative |
A coin
or medal designed to honor some person, place or event, often of an anniversary
nature. |
| Counter Brockage |
A counterbrockage
is a coin that is struck by an obverse cap that has a brockage of the obverse
design on its reverse face. A counterbrockage, whether in-collar or broadstruck,
will show incomplete marginal lettering or a complete absence of same.
Even a first strike counterbrockage will show the marginal lettering truncated
at the edge of the coin. Later counterbrockages will show no marginal lettering
and a progressively larger and more distorted bust.
A counterbrockage
error involves a capped die and a previously struck coin. When a capped
die strikes a previously struck coin, the obverse design from that struck
coin will be impressed into the cap. The result will be a design where
the cap face will be an incuse brockage. When a new blank gets struck by
this capped die with an incuse brockage image, the obverse will have a
raised and spread image from the incuse design of the cap. |
| Counterfeit |
A coin
or article made in the syle of a genuine specimen but made to deceive buyers. |
| Cracked
Skull |
Coin
obverse struck from a defective die, showing a line or lines in the portrait's
head. |
| CUD |
A raised
lump of metal on a coin caused by a piece of a die having broken off . |
| Cull |
A coin
in defective condition. |
|
-D-
| Defective Die |
Coin
which shows raised metal from a die crack, or small rim break. |
| DCAM |
Short
for Deep Cameo |
| Device |
A symbol
of local significance, used on the reverse of a coin in conjunction with
a motto. The Eagle has been a frequent device on U.S. Coins. |
| Die |
A thick
metallic disc, bearing the design and lettering, etc. for one side of a
coin in incuse or recessed image. A set of two dies, one representing the
obverse and one the reverse, is used for striking the planchet or blank
being sandwiched between them and squeezed very hard. |
| Die
Adjustment Strike |
A die
trial or set up piece. (submitted by sph1577
) |
| Die
Chip |
A small
fragment broken off from a die similar to a cud, but much less dramatic. |
| Die
Crack |
|
| Die
Doubling |
Two impressions
of the die on a coin, caused by mechanical malfunction. |
| Die
Trial |
A planchet
struck with low press pressure as the press operator raises the pressure
gradually till he gets the proper strike. These test strikes are usually
melted & not released to the public. |
| Dipped
Coins |
|
| Dipping |
A form
of cleaning by immersion in a liquid which is capable of causing molecular
changes in the surface (with the intent of providing a more appealing look). |
| Disme |
A frequently-used
spelling of "dime" in the 17th century |
| DMPL |
Deep
Mirror Prooflike - Having highly reflective mirrorlike fields, similar
to a coin struck as a Proof. |
| Dollar |
The U.S.
coin valued at 100 cents, introduced in 1793. |
| Dollar
Bill |
Take
out a one dollar bill and look at it. The one dollar bill you're looking
at first came off the presses in 1957 in its present design. This so-called
paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend, with red and blue minute
silk fibers running through it. It is actually material. We've all washed
it without it falling apart. A special blend of ink is used, the contents
we will never know.
It is
overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make it water resistant
and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. If you look on the front of
the bill, you will see the United States Treasury Seal. On the top you
will see the scales for the balance-a balanced budget and balance of power.
In the
center you have a carpenter's T-square, a tool used for an even cut.
Underneath
is the Key to the United States Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figure
out, but what is on the back of that dollar bill is something we should
all know.
If you
turn the bill over, you will see two circles. Both circles, together, comprise
the Great Seal of the United States. The First Continental Congress requested
that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took
them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it
approved. If you look at the left hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.
Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark. This country was
just beginning. We had not begun to explore the West or decided what we
could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying
that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you
have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's
belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the
help of God, could do anything.
"IN GOD
WE TRUST" is on this currency. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS,
means "God has favored our undertaking." The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS
ORDO SECLORUM, means "A new order has begun." At the base of the pyramid
is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
If you
look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that
it is on every National Cemetery in the United States. It is also on the
Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery and
is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the
seal of the President of the United States and it is always visible whenever
he speaks, yet no one knows what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected
as a symbol for victory for two reasons: first, he is not afraid of a storm;
he is strong and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears
no material crown.
We had
just broken from the King of England.
Also,
notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own.
At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying
factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you
will read, "E PLURIBUS UNUM", meaning "one nation from many people."
Above
the Eagle you have thirteen stars representing the thirteen original colonies,
and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming
together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an
olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be
afraid to fight to preserve peace.
The Eagle
always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns
toward the arrows.
They say
that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief.
You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels
with a 13th floor. But, think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers
of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on
the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E PLURIBUS UNUM",
13 stars above the Eagle, 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the Eagle's
wing, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits,
and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
LINK1 LINK2LINK3
LINK4 LINK5 |
| Double
Denomination |
An error
in which a coin is restruck by the die pair of another denomination |
| Double
(d) Die |
|
| Double
Eagle |
U.S.
gold coin with a face value of $20. Its physical size is about that of
a silver dollar. Struck from 1849 to 1933. |
| Doubling |
Doubling
of details resulting from loose dies during striking. |
| Draped
Bust |
A coinage
portrait on which clothing is indicated. The draping may be a filmy veil
of classical style or a military jacket or just about anything else. |
| DS |
Double
Struck |
|
|
|
-E-
| Ejection
Doubling |
|
| Electrum |
Mixture
of gold and silver. |
| E
Pluribus Unum |
"Out
of many, one"; the motto on many U.S. coins |
| Expansion
Ripples |
|
|
-F-
| Face |
The flat
surface of a coin. |
| Fair |
Grading
term describing condition of coin-much worn but date and lettering visible. |
| Fineness |
Purity
of gold or silver. |
| Flan |
Another
term for a planchet. |
| Flip |
A plastic
coin holder, usually with 2 sections - one for the coin - one for a small
card containing information about the coin. |
| Flip
Over Brockage |
|
: |
| -G-
|
-H-
| Hammer
Die |
The die
that produces the front, or heads, side of the coin |
| Hobo
Nickel |
A coin
(usually a U.S. Buffalo nickel) reengraved to produce a different image. |
|
-I-
| ICG |
Independent
Coin Grading Company. |
| Incuse |
Sunken
impression of a design on coin, in contrast to usual raised type. |
|
-K-
| Key
Date |
The rarest
(or one of the most rare) and therefore most expensive members of a coin
series, e.g. the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent or 1916-D Mercury dime. |
|
|
|
-L-
| Lamination |
A flaw
with a fragment of metal peeled off the coin's suface, caused by a foreign
subsance such as gas oxides or dirt which becomes trapped in the strip
as it is rolled out to proper thickness. |
| LOL |
Laughing
Out Loud |
| Luster |
The brilliance
of a coin, resulting from reflection of light off die flow lines |
|
|
-M-
| Machine
Doubling |
Doubling
of details resulting from loose dies during striking |
| Major
variety |
A coin
that is easily recognized as having a major difference from other coins
of the same design, type date and mint |
| Mintage |
The total
number of coins of a particular denomination, date and/or type produced
by a mint. |
| Mint
Mark |
Letter
on coin to show mint at which issued.Sometimes shown by other symbols such
as crescent,fleur-de-lis,etc. On United Staes coins the following mint
marks have been used: (P or blank)=Philadelphia, PA; D = Denver, CO; S
= San Francisco, CA; CC=Carson City, NV; W = West Point, NY; C = Charlotte,
NC; D = Dahlonega, GA; O = New Orleans, LA |
| Mint
State (MS) |
The term
Mint State (MS) can be interchanged with Uncirculated (UNC) to describe
"new" coins showing no trace of wear. |
| Mule
or Muling |
1. the
act of combining dies that were never meant to be together.
2. the
coin that results from the inappropriate combination of two different dies. |
| Multiple
Strike |
A coin
struck more than once. |
|
-N-
| NGC |
Numismatic
Guarantee Company. |
| Numismatics |
The art
and science relating to the study of coins, tokens, medals, paper money. |
| Numismatist |
A student
and /or collector who is knowledgeable in numismatics. |
|
-O-
| Obverse |
The front
of the coin. "Heads" |
| Off Center |
O/C Coin
has been struck out of collar and incorrectly centered with part of the
design missing. |
| OMM |
Over
Mint Mark |
| Overdate |
A coin
struck from a die with one or more digits of the date repunched over a
different digit. |
| Overstrike |
A new
impression made on an old coin after the old one is wholly or partially
obliterated. |
| Oxidation |
The formation
of oxides or tarnish on the surface of a coin from exposure to air, dampness,
industrial fumes, or other elements. |
|
-P-
| PCGS |
Professional
Coin Grading Service. |
| Planchet |
A Planchet
is a metal disc punched out a of a Blanking sheet of metal in a Blanking
Press or gang Press. Blank piece of metal on which coin is stamped. |
| Premium |
Price
paid for a coin over face value |
| Progression
Set |
|
| P/L |
Proof-Like |
| Proof
(PR) |
A specially
made coin distinguished by sharpness of detail and usually with a brilliant
mirrorlike surfaces. Proof refers to the method of manufacture and is not
a condition. Pre-1968 proofs were made only at the Philadelphia Mint except
in a few rare instances in which presentation pieces were struck at branch
mints. Current proofs are made at the San Francisco an West Point mints. |
|
|
|
-R-
| Ram
Strike |
|
| Raw |
Unencapsulated |
| Reverse |
The back
side of the coin. "Tails" |
| Restrike |
Coins
from original dies struck at a later date than the original. |
| Reverse
Cap |
A struck
coin that remains in the striking chamber and is struck one or more times
beneath a blank planchet. Most are broadstruck. In a reverse cap, all of
the marginal lettering is complete, no matter how spread out and distorted
they may appear. |
| RPM |
Repunched
Mint Mark |
|
|
|
-S-
| Sandwich |
|
| SDC |
|
| Shear-clip |
|
| Strike
Doubling |
Another
term for machine doubling |
|
-T-
| Type
1 Planchet |
The planchet
as it exists before going through the upset mill |
| Type
2 Planchet |
The planchet
as it exists after going through the upset mill |
| Type |
Design
of a coin. |
| Type
Set |
A collection
of coins of various designs. |
|
| -U-
|
-V-
| VAM |
VAM is
an acronym for the authors of THE Book on dollar varietys (but not development
of the design).. VanAllen-Mallis The Comprehensive
Catalogue and Encyclopedia of U.S. Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars"
by LeRoy C. VanAllen and A. George Mallis; with contributions in Chapter
5 by Pete R. Bishal |
| Variety |
A minor
change from the basic design of a specific coin type. |
|
-W-
| Wrong Planchet |
A coin
struck on a planchet intended for another denomination or of the wrong
metal. |
|
|
|
