COMMONLY USED TERMS
A combination of two or more metals.
The heating (and cooling) of a die or planchet to soften the metal before preparation of the die or striking of the coin.
The colour added by heat or chemical treatment.
The process of determining genuineness.
Small round devices around the edge of a coin.
An element of a coin such as the date, design or lettering that has worn into another element or the surrounding field.
Untoned. With no tarnish or oxidation.
A particular type of proof coin that has a full mirror surface in the fields.
A generic term for any coin that has not been in circulation.
Ingots, coins, or other issues that trade for their intrinsic metal value, in silver, gold, platinum or palladium.
A legal tender coin that trades at a slight premium to its value as plain metal.
The value given to a coin based on the precious metal it contains.
A process in which the surfaces of a coin are shined through rubbing or polishing.
A portrait depicting a figure’s head and shoulders.
This is charged in addition to the successful bid. The Coin Cabinet offers the lowest transaction costs in the industry: 0% buyer’s premium and a maximum 10% seller’s commission on all auctions, a 10% total spread. Most auction houses operate on a 20-30%
A proof, or proof-like coin with exceptional contrast between the fields and the devices. On a cameo coin, the fields are mirror-like, while the devices have a frosty appearance.
A dark discolouration on the surface of a coin. If large enough, it might significantly lower the grade and value of a coin.
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.
A term applied to coins that have been used in commerce. A circulated coin is one that displays wear, having been used.
When a coin has been cleaned with baking soda or other mild abrasives, it may have a slightly washed out appearance. Do not clean your coins! The original state of the coin — its patina — is more desirable to collectors than altered or damaged surfaces.
Metallic tokens of a composition and design that enables it to circulate as money. Coinage refers to a country’s issuance of coins.
Term applied to the area resulting when coins rub together in rolls or bags and small amounts of metal are displaced.
Some coins are more sought-after than others. Their beauty, designer, and the popularity of the person or device are all examples of collector value.
Coins issued to honour a person or thing, such as The Royal Mint’s ‘James Bond’ commemorative gold coins.
At its height The British Empire’s coins were used extensively in global trade and as local currencies in its dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories across six continents. Today’s Commonwealth is a political association of 54 m
A term for all possible coins within a series or from a particular mint.
The state of preservation of a coin.
A listing of the finest known examples of a particular issue.
Marks on a coin that are caused by contact with another coin or a foreign object, usually small.
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 collectable.
An attempt to alter or imitate a coin with the intention to deceive or defraud.
Any alloy of copper and nickel.
Usually proofs with deeply frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the mirror fields.
The face value of coin.
The motif of a coin or other numismatic item, such as the sovereign’s iconic St George and the Dragon by Benedetto Pistrucci.
A specific motif placed upon coinage, which may be used for several denominations and subtypes.
An addition to the grade of a coin to denote characteristics of the coin not covered by the coin’s grade.
The principal design element of the coin.
A steel rod used to strike a coin.
A coin which has been cleaned in a soapy solution. Dipping is rarely used, and only by experts.
Typically considered a negative term. A doctored coin has been enhanced by chemical or other means.
A condition that results when a coin is not ejected from a die and is struck a second time. Proof coins are usually intentionally double-struck in order to sharpen their details.
A coin that lacks lustre.
The third side of a coin. It may be reeded, ornamented, or plain.
Letters or emblems on the edge of a coin.
The various devices and emblems seen on coins.
A coin sealed in a plastic holder, with its authenticity grading information displayed. The Coin Cabinet’s coins are primarily third-party graded coins, mainly by NGC and PCGS, who encapsulate the coins and warrant the grade.
The person responsible for the design and/or punches used to craft a coin.
Corrosion-effect seen on a coin that has been exposed to the elements.
A numismatic item that unintentionally varies from the norm. Overdates and overmint marks are not considered errors since they were done intentionally.
Term for trial or pattern strikings, literally a test or trial.
Coins or paper money that are not backed by a commodity such as gold. The UK abandoned the gold standard in 1931, while US President Richard Nixon cancelled the direct convertibility of the dollar to gold by 1973. Since then, a system of national fia
The flat (or slightly curved) portion of a coin where there is no design.
The best-known condition example of a particular numismatic item.
A coin struck early in the life of a die, with crisp detail.
An effect seen on the raised parts of a coin whereby the metal appears crystallised.
A pre-determined minimum selling price for a lot at auction, agreed between an auction house and seller. By agreement, The Coin Cabinet can guarantee a minimum amount for very rare items only (if guaranteed items end up selling below the guarantee, The Co
The numerical or adjectival condition description of a coin. See NGC and PCGS.
Thin, shallow scratches on the surface of a coin, usually caused by improper cleaning or mishandling.
A cloudy film seen on business-strike coins and proofs. It may occur naturally or be added.
A coin with deep concave fields, due to its design. High relief coins required extra pressure to be fully struck.
A group of coins held for either numismatic or monetary reasons.
An organisation of the leading international numismatic firms founded in 1951 and based in Geneva. Membership is by invitation only, and members must warrant the authenticity of coins for life. The Coin Cabinet is a pround member of the IAPN.
The value of the metal(s) contained in a coin. In the UK, coins contained 92.5% silver up until 1920, and after that were 50% silver.Since 1946, no British circulation coins have contained any trace of precious metal.
One step away from rare coins, investment grade coins are high quality and scarce, leading to strong investor demand.
Any phrase that appears on a coin. For example, Decus et tutamen (‘an ornament and a safeguard’) on the edge inscription of the British pound.
A magnifying glass used to examine coins.
The brightness of a coin that results from the way in which it reflects light. The grading process should determine whether the lustre of a coin is artificial, natural or diminished through wear.
A term used to describe a coin that still has its original mint bloom.
Imperfections acquired after a coin is struck.
Term for the intrinsic metal value of a coin.
A facility where coins are crafted. The Royal Mint in the UK is the second-oldest mint in the world still in operation, after the Monnaie de Paris.
Original lustre that is still visible on a coin.
A group of uncirculated coins from a particular year, usually comprising coins from each Mint.
Describes a coin that has never been in circulation. Thus, the coin has no wear.
The number of coins of a particular date struck at a given mint during a specific year. A mintage figure is the number of coins in all denominations minted and released into circulation.
Letter(s) or devices stamped into a coin to denote the mint at which it was struck.
Term applied to minting errors, with irregularities.
A proof coin that somehow escaped into circulation.
Coins minted for coin collectors. The dies for making modern proof coins — see The Royal Mint — are often treated with chemicals to make certain parts of the design take on a frosted appearance, with the polished fields taking on a mirror finish.
Splotchy, uneven patina.
An inscription on a coin.
Term for a coin that has not been circulated.
An authentication and grading agency based in the USA with offices in London. The Coin Cabinet is an authorised dealer with NGC, and uses NGC as part of its third-party coin grading service..
Term applied to a coin returned from a third-party grading service that was not encapsulated (graded and packaged by a grading service). This can be due to questionable authenticity, cleaning or damage.
The science of money. Coins, currency, tokens, inscribed bars, and all related items are numismatic.
One who studies or collects money.
The front (heads side) of a coin.
A coin struck on a blank that was not properly centred over the anvil, or lower, die.
Referring to any aspect of a coin that retains its original state.
A coin struck from a die with a date that has one year punched over a different year. Often collectable.
The colouring which has formed on the surface of a coin as a result of the metal’s interaction with outside elements.
A test striking of a coin produced to trial a proposed design, composition, or size. Patterns were often struck in metals other than the one proposed.
An authentication and grading agency based in the USA. The Coin Cabinet is an authorised dealer with PCGS, and uses PCGS as part of its third-party coin grading service.
Term used to describe a coin that has had a hole filled, often so expertly that it can be discerned only under magnification.
The population of a coin refers to how many coins have been certified by a given grading service in that particular grade. The amount higher refers to how many have been certified in a higher grade by that grading service.
A term which describes the very finest coins that fall into any given grade, or that have some claims to a higher grade.
A coin, often a proof or an exceptionally sharp business strike, specially struck and given to a dignitary or other person.
A machine used to produce coins.
Term describing coins in original, unimpaired condition. Pristine coins are typically graded 67 and higher.
The term proof denotes a method of manufacture, not a grade. Proof coins are made with special care, exclusively for collectors or investors and not struck for general circulation.
A coin set containing proof issues from a particular year.
A coin that has mirror-like surfaces.
The listing of a coin’s current owner plus all known previous owners. Also known as pedigree.
Suspicious colour on a coin that may not be natural.
See ungraded.
The total number of extant specimens of a particular numismatic item. Condition rarity describes the number of specimens in a particular grade plus any in higher grades.
Grooved notches found on the edge of some coins.
The height of the devices of a particular coin design.
A copy, or reproduction.
A coin struck later than indicated by its date.
A coin that has been dipped or cleaned and then has regained colour — either naturally or artificially.
The reserve price is the lowest price for an item sold at auction, as stipulated by the seller. At The Coin Cabinet auctions, coins are priced without reserve at 10% below their bullion value, regardless of valuation.
The back or ‘tails’ side, of a coin.
The Royal Mint is a government-owned mint that produces coins for the United Kingdom, with a continuous history since 886 AD. In the past branch mints, such as the Melbourne Mint in Victoria, were established by The Royal Mint throughout the British Empir
The barest trace of wear on the high points of a coin.
A mark on a coin that is more severe than a hairline.
Refers to a coin that has a significant collector value and some bullion value.
Coins whose value is made up by a significant proportion of precious metal, in addition to a collectable, or ‘numismatic’, premium. This represents a dual investment: the bullion value and the collectable premium.
A particular design or motif used over a period of time. This can refer to a single denomination, or in some cases, several denominations.
A collection of coins in a series. This could be a collection of types, or a collection from a particular Mint.
A system of grading which was originally introduced by Dr William H. Sheldon. The system was adapted to all coins in the early 1970s, and is used by NGC and PCGS.
Coins in a secure plastic holder with a statement of authenticity and designated grade by a third-party professional authentication and grading agency. Slabbed coins are becoming more common in the UK (it used to be a sign that a coin had been purchased i
The sovereign is a British gold coin that was first introduced in 1489 by Henry VII and issued by every monarch who followed until early in James I’s reign. The sovereign was revived in 1816, featuring Benedetto Pistrucci’s St George and the Dragon d
Colour that is uneven in shade and composition.
A discoloured area on a coin. A spot or spots can have a small or large effect on the grade of a coin.
The current value of an underlying asset such as gold.
The sharpness of detail which the coin had when it was mint state. A full strike is a coin that exhibits the full detail that would appear on the sharpest known examples of that type.
Term describing a coin produced from dies and a coining press.
A replica of a particular coin made from dies, possibly but not necessarily meant to deceive.
A fake coin produced from false dies.
The condition of a coin’s surface.
TPG coins have been authenticated, graded and specially packaged (encapsulated) by an authentication and grading agency. The most commonly used and recognised are NGC and PCGS (The Coin Cabinet is an authorised dealer with both). Third-party grading plays
Term for a coin that has been doctored in a specific way to hide marks.
Interchangeable word for patina. See patina.
A line, usually small and fine, found on both genuine and counterfeit coins. They are caused by touch-ups to dies.
A coin struck after an ‘official’ series ends, or before an ‘official’ series starts.
A coin known to have come from a shipwreck or from a buried or hidden source.
Understanding the popularity of coins and how that correlates to collecting habits that might effect a coin’s collector value.
A date or group of dates encompassing all of a particular standard design.
A term used, most notably by NGC, to denote proof coins that have deeply frosted devices and lettering that contrast with the mirror fields.
A coin or other numismatic item that is represented by only a few examples.
A coin or numismatic item that has never been in circulation, a coin without wear.
A coin that hasn’t been graded by an auction house, dealer or third-party grading service such as NGC or PCGS. See grade encapsulated.
Term used to describe a coin that has had light to heavy wear from circulation.
A coin that has characteristics specific to the die pair that struck it. Many collectible varieties can thus be traced to a specific set of dies.
Visible erosion of metal, usually beginning from a coin’s highest point. Eventually, lettering, details, or entire devices become illegible.
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