New to coin collecting? The following are terms commonly
used by coin collectors all over the world :
Alloy
A combination of two or more metals in a coin such as cupro-nickel
or cupro-zinc.
Ancient
Refers to any coin minted before 500 A.D.
Bi-metallic coin
A coin with the center made from one metal with its outer
portion being comprised of a different metal.
Blank
A round piece of metal made for subsequent minting into coinage.
Bullion
A coin made of gold or other precious metal with little
numismatic value apart from the current value of the metal from
which the coin is made.
Cameo
A coin with a frosted appearance.
Circulated coin
A coin which has actually been used as money and shows some
degree of wear.
Commemorative coin
A coin with a design struck in honor of some historical or
current event, famous person or special anniversary.
Error coin
A coin minted by mistake or with a design different than
intended.
Grade
The condition of a coin determined by a set methodology.
High points
The highest part of a coin's design where the first signs of
wear and tear generally appear.
Legend
The words that are inscribed around the outer edge of a coin.
For U.S. coins, the legend inscription is E Pluribus Unum.
Mintage
The total number of coins of a particular denomination, date
and/or type produced by a mint.
Mint mark
A symbol identifying the particular mint which produced the
coin.
Mint state
An uncirculated coin in the same condition as when it was
originally minted showing no signs of wear.
Numismatics
The study of coins, paper currency, tokens, medals, and other
similar items.
Obverse
The "heads" side of the coin where a portrait of a president,
king , queen or other national leader appears. Some coins have
portraits on both the Head and Tail side. In that case the Head
side is the side with the date. If there is no date the Head
side is the side that shows the name of the country.
Proof coins
Coins that are struck with greater pressure than normal using
specially polished dies to make the design more highly polished
or mirror-like.
Reverse
The back or "tails" side of a coin. The opposite side to the
obverse side of a coin.
Rim
The outer edge of a coin. There are four basic edges: plain,
ornate, reeded (like a current US quarter or a dime), and
lettered. Knowing what kind of edge your coin has can help you
identify it.
Uncirculated coin
A coin that has never actually been used as money and has no
visible signs of wear.
Variety
Any change in the design of a coin results in a new coin
variety.
Leslie Lee
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