This is a fairly thorough list of coin acronyms and abbreviations.  But if you still have a term you can’t figure our, then please contact us or one of our coin experts for further information.

About Good – A grading term describing a coin that is less than Good. Only the main features on the surfaces are visible. Typically, peripheral lettering, date, stars, or other features are partially worn away. Abbreviated as AG and numerically assigned the number 3.

About Uncirculated – A grading term describing a coin that initially appears to be Uncirculated, but upon closer inspection a little rub or friction can be seen. Abbreviated as AU. Numerical equivalents associated with About Uncirculated are: AU-50, 53, 55, and 58, with AU-50 being the lowest grade and AU-58 being borderline Uncirculated.

Abrasion(s) – Area(s) of a coin where a foreign object or another coin has displaced metal in an abraded fashion. Not the same as hairlines or bag marks.

Accolated – Overlapped impression, as with two or more portraits on the face of a coin. Example: The 1900 Lafayette commemorative silver dollar bears the accolated portraits of Washington and Lafayette.

Accumulation – A group of miscellaneous and random coins, often a monetary hoard, not a coin collection. This term may also refer to a grouping of a particular series, date or type such as an accumulation of Walking Liberty half dollars.

Ace – Numismatic nickname for a $1 bill, particularly a $1 National Bank Note of the Original Series or the Series of 1875.

Adjectival Grading; Adjectival Grading System – The traditional grading system employed until superseded by the numerical grading system. Coins in grades from the most worn (Poor) were described adjectivally in these progressive steps: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, About Uncirculated, and Uncirculated. Modifiers such as “choice” and “gem” were sometimes used to indicate an especially nice specimen within a grade level, such as Choice Extremely Fine or Gem Uncirculated.

Adjustment Marks – Small, straight (never curved) striations or file marks found on early United States coins. Caused during planchet preparation (before striking) by drawing a file across the coins to remove excess metal so as to reduce the planchet to its proper weight. The result is a series of parallel grooves.

Aesthetic Appeal – Term used to indicate the artistic or visual desirability of a coin in addition to its numerical or technical grade. Synonym: eye appeal.

AG, AG-3 – Designation for About Good.

Agricultural Wreath – A wreath motif created by James B. Longacre and used on the 1854 Type II gold dollar, 1854 $3 gold coin, 1856 Flying Eagle cent, and other issues. Wreath of corn (most prominent), wheat, cotton, and tobacco—called a cereal wreath by Mint Director Snowden in his 1860 book, A Description of Ancient and Modern Coins in the Cabinet Collection of the Mint of the United States. Called tobacco wreath by Edgar H. Adams, The Numismatist, July 1912, pp. 246-247.

AGW (Actual Gold Weight) – An infrequently used term for the weight of pure gold that is in a coin, medal or bar. In contrast, the gross weight of a gold coin includes the weight of alloys.

Album Friction – Evidenced by a slight rubbing on a coin’s high points, similar to but not as severe as album slide marks. When repeatedly removed and inserted into albums with clear slides, the slides can impart horizontal scratches if they touch the coin’s surface. To prevent this, carefully push the coin well into the hole so the slide does not touch it.

Album Slide Marks – Lines on the surface of a coin, usually parallel, caused by the plastic “slide” of a coin album.

Alchemy – The transmutation of base metals such as lead and mercury into gold; practiced in historic times by various chemists, pretenders, etc.

Alloy – Copper and sometimes silver are mixed with gold to add strength and durability to a coin, and the resulting metal is called an alloy. Coins made of pure gold are very soft, and easily scratched, worn and damaged.

All-Seeing Eye – Eye motif, usually surrounded by resplendent rays. Used on certain copper coins of the 1780s such as the 1783-1786 Nova Constellatio coinage, the 1783 Nova Constellatio silver patterns, the 1785-1786 Landscape-type Vermont coppers (Ryder 2 through 8), and, in more modern times, the small-size $1 note (included as part of a pyramid design, no rays surrounding).

Almost Uncirculated – Another grading term for About Uncirculated.

Alteration – The tampering with a feature of a coin’s surface such as the date, mintmark, etc. to give it the appearance of being another date, mintmark, or variety. An unethical and sometimes illegal practice.

Altered Surfaces – When the surfaces of a coin have been affected by cleaning or other processes resulting in it being less desirable to collectors.

Aluminum – An elemental metal. Aluminum was a precious metal in the 1850s, but by the 1860s came into limited use to strike patterns as well as delicacies for collectors. Aluminum tended to oxidize quickly, forming a protective gray coating, which then stabilized and endures in many instances to the present day. In 1973 the Mint contemplated using aluminum for regular coinage of cents, since copper was rising sharply in price on the commercial market. About a million and a half Lincoln cents were struck with the date 1974, and some were given out as samples, but the metal was never used for regular coinage.

American Auction Association – 1970s auction division of Bowers and Ruddy Galleries. This name was discontinued, and later catalogs bore the Bowers and Ruddy Galleries name.

American Eagle – A series of bullion coins created by the U. S. Mint featuring a family of eagles on the reverse. The silver coins were introduced in 1986 in a $1 denomination. The gold coins were first produced in 1987 in 1/10, ¼, ½, and 1 ounce versions.

American Numismatic Association – A nonprofit educational organization founded in 1888, dedicated to encouraging the study and collecting of money and related items. The ANA helps people discover and explore the world of money through a vast array of programs including education and outreach, museum, library, publications, conventions, and seminars. They are headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Read more about them at money.org.

American Numismatic Association Grading System – Adopted in 1977, the ANA Grading System was described in the book, Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins, and evaluated coins based upon the Sheldon scale for grading.

American Numismatic Association Hall of Fame – Pantheon and gallery located at the American Numismatic Association Headquarters, Colorado Springs, CO. Numismatists past and present who are deemed worthy and elected for the honor are enshrined by being included in the exhibit, a highly desirable honor. The first honorees enshrined in 1969 were: Edgar H. Adams, George J. Bauer, Frank G. Duffield, Dr. George F. Heath, Edward T. Newell, Wayte Raymond, David C. Wismer, Howland Wood, and Farran Zerbe.

American Numismatic Association Headquarters – A.k.a. ANA. Headquartered at: North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, on the campus of Colorado College. Built in the 1960s on land leased for $1 per year for 100 years (option of 100 years renewal) from the college. Action center for executive, editorial, membership, museum, authentication, and other functions. Focal point for exhibits, seminars, other events.

American Numismatic Society – A museum and research institute devoted to the study of coins from all periods and cultures. They are headquartered in New York City, New York. Abbreviated as “ANS.”

ANA – An abbreviation for the “American Numismatic Association.”

ANACS – (American Numismatic Association Certification Service) – An authentication service started by the ANA that later provided grading services. The ANA later sold the acronym and this service, which now operates as a third-party grading service.

ANACS Certificate – Issued by the ANA Certification Service, a written document of authenticity and/or grade that bears a unique number.

Ancients – A term for world coins struck circa 600 B.C. to circa 450 A.D.

Annealing – A process by which a die or planchet is heated and then cooled to soften the metal for die preparation or the striking of a coin.

Annular – Ring like, ring form. Refers to a coin with a circular perforation or hole at the center, certain pattern cents of 1850 being examples.

Annulet – In heraldry and in numismatic descriptions, a small ring or related emblem as part of a design.

ANS – An abbreviation for the “American Numismatic Society.”

Anvil Die – Usually the reverse of the coin, the lower, stationary die. On some issues with striking problems, the obverse is used as the lower die. Due to the physics of minting, the stationary lower-die impression is slightly better struck than the upper-die impression.

Arcade Tokens – Metallic tokens used in penny arcades, amusement emporiums, and related places. Sometimes bearing a denomination, these tokens could be used in place of cents, nickels, quarters, or other coins in coin-operated devices.

Argentan – A variety of “German silver,” an alloy without silver, which contains a mixture of nickel, tin, copper, and other metals.

Arms – In heraldry, on banknotes, and on coins and medals, the representation of a state, family, or other entity, often incorporating a shield with patterns and designs, so as to permit easy identification of that entity. Certain state copper coins, commemoratives, and other United States issues included arms of various states.

Arrow and Rays – Term referring to a design element on quarters and half dollars dated 1853. The rays were removed the following year due to striking difficulties created by the complicated design.

Arrows – Design element seen on many U.S. coins, most frequently in the eagle’s left claw.

Arrows at Date – The arrows to the left and right of the date on a coin. The Mint added these to the dies to indicate a weight increase or decrease.

Artificial Toning – Toning or patination applied to a coin by chemical, heat, or other means to decrease its brightness or brilliance and to give it the appearance of having acquired attractive colors over a long period of time. Such coins are plentiful in the marketplace, including in certified holders, and a keen eye is needed to identify them.

Ask – The price that represents what a seller is willing to accept for a particular coin issue and grade. This changes with market fluctuations. See also: Bid; Spread

Assay – To evaluate and calculate the purity of a metallic alloy.

Assay Bar, Assay Ingot – A rectangular (usually) ingot or bar of silver or gold, produced by an assay office (see listing) and stamped with data, usually including the name of the assayer, weight, fineness (purity), metal, a serial number, and, sometimes, the date and market value.

Assay Office – A facility established by the federal government or by private individuals to receive and evaluate precious metals, especially gold, silver and copper. The government operated assay offices in Butte (Montana), New York City, Denver, and elsewhere. During the Gold Rush several assay offices did good business in California, including Kellogg & Humbert, Harris & Marchand, Justh & Hunter, Moffat & Co., and the United States Assay Office of Gold, among others.

Assayer – One who performs assays. Position at the Mint from 1792 onward. Most assayers operated in the private sector, however, especially in the conduct of business in assay offices, mines, refineries, etc.

Athena – Goddess symbolic of Athens. Athena and her owl (denoting wisdom) are motifs on the 1915-S commemorative $50 gold coins, round and octagonal formats, issued for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

Attributes – The components that determine a coin’s grade, primarily marks (or hairlines for Proofs), strike, eye appeal, and luster.

Attribution – The assigning or referencing of a coin to its source, engraver of its dies, or of its die variety as described in a numismatic work. Example: United States copper cents of the 1793-1814 years can be attributed to Sheldon numbers, as, for example, S-48, as delineated in Early American Cents, Dr. William H. Sheldon, 1949.

AU – An abbreviation for “About Uncirculated.”

Auction – An offering of numismatic items for sale to the highest bidder, rather than ordering from a catalog, price list, or advertisement at a fixed price.

Auctioneer – The person who recognizes and accepts bids during an auction.

Authentic – A numismatic item that is genuine and was produced at the time and place to which it has been attributed.

Authentication – The process by which a determination is made as to whether a coin or other numismatic item is genuine.

Back of a Note – The reverse side of a note and the paper money equivalent of reverse used for coins.

Bag – A term for the cloth sacks that were used to carry, transport and store coins. Bags replaced wooden kegs in the mid-nineteenth century. The term “bag” can also refer to the value by volume of a specific denomination. Example: a bag of silver dollars is $1,000 face value.

Bag Marks – Minor marks on an otherwise Uncirculated coin often resulting from having been stored or shipped in bags with other coins.

Bag Toning – This occurs when the surface of a coin has changed color from being stored in a cloth bag. The material that comprised cloth bags contained metal-reactive chemicals, including sulfur, and when stored for extended periods of time, the coins near the cloth would acquire attractive blue, green, yellow, red and other vibrant colors. Depending on the coin’s placement in the bag, you can sometimes see the texture of the bag in the toning. Crescent-shaped toning can also occur when a coin is on top of another coin in the bag. Since part of the coin’s surface is covered, toning doesn’t develop in certain areas. Bag toning is most often seen on Morgan silver dollars, but it is occasionally seen on other series.

Bank Note – 1. piece of paper money, or currency, issued by or bearing the name of a bank. In numismatics this most particularly refers to obsolete currency issued by banks circa 1782-1866. 2. Popularly, any type of paper money issued by a bank or government.

Bank Note Reporter – A printed publication issued monthly by F+W Publications.

Bank-Wrapped Rolls – The Federal Reserve Bank would wrap rolls of coins by denomination from the original mint bags. These rolls are typically desired by collectors because they have not been looked through by other collectors or dealers. Also abbreviated as OBW, for “original bank wrapped.”

Bar Copper, Bar Cent – Copper coin or token, slightly smaller than the size of a contemporary state copper coin, featuring the monogram USA on the obverse, and 13 parallel bars on the reverse. Original pieces are said to have circulated in New York in 1785. The maker is unknown.

Bar, Metal – A slug or ingot of metal issued by a mine, refinery, mint, or other establishment working with metals. Sizes range from small, weighing just a few ounces (such as those issued as souvenirs and keepsakes by mining companies) to large versions weighing many pounds. Gold and silver bars of the 19th century were customarily stamped with information including the weight, purity, issue, a serial number, and sometimes the value and/or the date. Also known as an ingot.

Barber Coinage – A common name for the series of Liberty Head dimes, quarters, and half dollars designed by Charles Barber which were struck from 1892 until 1916.

Basal State – The lowest grade of a numismatic item. The coin is worn to the point where it can only be identified as a coin, and that it is a certain denomination and type.

Basal Value – This is the value base upon which Dr. William H. Sheldon’s 70-point grade/price system was created. Each variety of large copper cents dated from 1793 to 1814 was given a basal value that could be multiplied by the numerical grade of an individual coin to determine its market price. Thus a cent with a basal value of $5 and in VF-20 grade would be worth $100. The system was fine in theory, but it failed in practice and is no longer used today.

Baseball Cap Coin – A slang term for the Panama-Pacific (Pan-Pac) commemorative gold dollar coin, because the figure on the obverse wears a cap that resembles a baseball cap.

Basining – A die polishing process to remove clash marks or other damage or to create a mirrored surface on the die.

Bass, Harry W. Jr. – Numismatic connoisseur, builder of one of the greatest collections of American gold ever formed. We auctioned his collection in a number of sales beginning in 1999. Today the Harry W. Bass, Jr. Museum at ANA Headquarters in Colorado Springs showcases additional treasures. The Harry W. Bass Museum Sylloge, by Q. David Bowers, was published by us.

Battleship Note – A common name for a Series of 1918 $2 Federal Reserve Bank Note which depicts a battleship on the back printed in green.

Beaded Border – A continuous band of small, round design elements around the edge of a coin, later replaced by dentils. These are most often seen on early U.S. coins.

Betts Medal – A medal with motifs relating to early America as described by C. Wyllys Betts in American Colonial History Illustrated by Contemporary Medals published in 1894.

BG Gold – A common term for California fractional gold coins as stated in the Breen-Gillio reference work titled California Pioneer Fractional Gold.

Bid – An offer made by a bidder at an auction for a particular numismatic item. Also, the top price a buyer is willing to pay for a specific coin issue and grade, accepted either on a trading network, pricing newsletter, or other medium. See also: ask; spread.

Bidder – A participant in an auction or a dealer issuing a quotation on an electronic trading system.

BIdder Number – Assigned by the auction house, the number assigned to a potential buyer who would like to execute bids during an auction.

Bill – Piece of paper money of $1 face value or higher.

Bimetallic – Refers to a coin made of two different metals, usually bonded or clad (not mixed as an alloy), with each metal being visible upon examination. Example: Certain pattern two-cent pieces with sections of silver bonded or fixed to a planchet of bronze. 2. A monetary system in which two precious metals, usually silver and gold, are both accorded full legal tender status based upon their intrinsic value.

Birch Cent – Any one of several pattern one-cent pieces dated 1792 and engraved by Birch.

Bison Note – A common name for the $10 Series of 1901 Legal Tender Notes. Printed on the front is a bison.

Bit – A nickname for the Spanish-American silver two-real coin worth 12½¢, popular in United States commerce until demonetized by the Act of February 21, 1857. A two-bit piece was worth 25¢. This nickname is sometimes used today to refer to the United States quarter dollar.

Black Eagle Note – A common name for the $1 Series of 1899 Silver Certificates with a bold eagle on the face of the note, printed in black.

Blank – A flat, plain metal disc prior to being struck into a coin. See also: planchet.

Blemish – Minor nick, mark, flaw, or spot of discoloration that mars the surface of a coin and detracts from its grade and appearance.

Blended – A term used to describe when one element of a coin is worn into another element or the surrounding field.

Bluebook – An annual wholesale pricing book for United States coins published by Whitman Publishing, LLC and so named because of its blue cover.

Bluesheet – A common name for the Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter.

Blundered Die – A coin die with an error in engraving, such as an inverted letter or numeral or some other mistake.

BM – An abbreviation for “Branch Mint” typically used when describing Branch Mint Proof coins, an example being the 1893-CC BM Proof Morgan dollar.

BN – An abbreviation for “brown” when referring to copper coins.

Body Bag – Slang term for a plastic sleeve, envelope, or other container used by a grading service to return a coin, with a comment as to why the firm did not want to grade it (problems, etc.).

Bourse – A term synonymous with a coin show or coin convention.

Bourse Floor – The physical location where a coin show or coin convention takes place.

Braided Hair – This refers to the hair style where the hair is pulled back into a tight bun with a braided hair cord. This is seen on half cents and large cents from 1840 on.

Branch Mint – A United States mint other than the Philadelphia Mint where coins are, or were formerly, struck.

Breast Feathers – The central feathers of the eagle design on many different coins, but particularly Morgan dollars. Fully and well struck coins tend to command a premium and the breast feathers are usually the most telling feature when value is being determined.

Breen – A slang term used when referring to the late Walter Breen.

Breen Book – Slang for Walter Breen’s Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins, a reference book published in 1988.

Breen Letter – A document written or typed by Walter Breen in which he states his opinion on a specific numismatic item. Before third party certification services, this was the common method used by dealers and collectors to authenticate a unique item.

Breen-Gillio – Numbering system for fractional gold coins based on the book, California Pioneer Fractional Gold, by Walter Breen and Ron Gillio.

Brilliant – A grading term for a coin with original cartwheel or prooflike luster, unimpeded by toning.

Brilliant Proof – A Proof coin with mirrorlike surfaces.

Brilliant Uncirculated – A common term for any coin that has not been circulated.

Brockage – A mint error coin caused by the failure to eject a struck coin from the dies, after which a blank planchet is inserted into the dies, receiving on one side the correct image of a die and on the other side an incuse impression made from the already-struck coin in the dies. The result is a coin which has one side in relief and the other side with an incuse mirror image of the same die. A brockage can be of a reverse or an obverse. Obverse brockages are seen more frequently.

Bronze – An alloy of copper, zinc, and tin, usually 95% copper and the balance zinc and tin.

Brother Jonathan, S.S. – Sidewheel steamship lost off the coast of California in 1865, recovered in the late 20th century. Double eagles and other gold coins auctioned by us, and a book, The Treasure Ship S.S. Brother Jonathan, by Q. David Bowers, was published by us.

Brown – Describes the toning on certain copper coins that have lost their red color, usually abbreviated as BN on certified holders.

Brushing – A series of minute parallel lines caused by rubbing a light abrasive across the surface of a coin.

Bryan money, Bryan – Describes tokens and medals relating to William Jennings Bryan’s presidential campaigns of 1896 (in particular), 1900, and 1908, mostly with inscriptions relating to the “silver question.”

BU – An abbreviation for Brilliant Uncirculated.

BU Rolls – Wrapped coins, typically in paper, in specific quantities for each denomination. Cents, 50; nickels, 40; dimes, 50; quarters, 40; half dollars and dollars, 20.

Buckled Die – A die that is warped or distorted, typically caused by excessive clashing, that produces slightly bent coins.

Buffalo Nickel – Slang term for the Indian Head nickel, which depicts an American bison on the reverse. These were struck from 1913 to 1938.

Bulged Die – A die that clashes multiple times can form a small indentation, metal then fills the indentation and produces coins that have a bulged area.

Bullet Toning – A synonym for target toning.

Bullion – Uncoined gold or silver in the form of bars, ingots or plates that trade based on their intrinsic metal value.

Bullion Coin – A coin struck for sale as a convenient form of gold, silver, platinum or palladium, often in increments of a Troy ounce. Intrinsic metal weight determines value. Examples include the U.S. Gold Eagle and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing – Federal department in change of printing paper money and other security items.

Burn Mark – A synonym for counting machine mark.

Burnishing – Rubbing or polishing the surfaces of a coin or planchet to make it shine. Proof planchets are burnished before they are struck, originally by rubbing wet sand across the surface to reveal a mirror-like finish. Burnishing can also refer to when the surfaces on altered or repaired coins are treated, through a variety of ways, either mechanically or chemically. Burnishing a coin after it is struck lessens its value.

Burnishing Lines – Incuse lines resulting from burnishing, most often seen on open-collar Proofs.

Burnt – A slang term for a coin that has dull and lacklustre surfaces because the coin has been over-dipped.

Business Strike – A term devised by Walter Breen to describe a coin struck and intended for regular circulation rather than primarily for sale to collectors. Circulation strike is the more descriptive preferred term.

Bust – The head and shoulders of Miss Liberty as seen on many United States issues.

Bust Dollar – A slang term for Draped Bust dollar, silver dollars struck from 1795-1803.

Buyer’s Premium – An additional fee paid by the winning bidder, as defined by our terms of sale.

C – A mintmark used to indicate a coin struck at the Charlotte, North Carolina branch mint.

Cabinet Friction – Typically seen on the obverse, slight friction seen on coins that have been stored in wooden cabinets used by early collectors. Often a soft cloth was used to wipe dust away, which would cause light tell-tale marks.

Cabinet, Coin Cabinet – A wooden (usually) cabinet with drawers used to store a numismatic collection. It is also a synonym for a coin collection that may or may not reside in a cabinet.

CAC – An abbreviation for the Certified Acceptance Corporation, a company that reviews coins that have already been encapsulated by a third-party grading service. If a coin meets CAC’s stringent grading standard, it will receive a green or gold CAC hologram sticker. A gold CAC hologram sticker indicates the coin exceeds CAC’s grading standards and a green hologram sticker indicates the coin meets the standards. This independent numismatic coin authentication service was founded by John Albanese.

Caduceus – Medical symbol, in this instance representing the fight against yellow fever in Panama. Shown on the 1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition $2.50.

California Fractional Gold – Descriptive of 25¢ and 50¢ pieces (also incorrectly extended to describe $1) minted privately in California from the 1850s through the 1880s, and described in literature by Lee, Burnie, Gillio, and Breen.

CAM – An abbreviation for Cameo.

Cameo – A Proof or prooflike coin with extreme contrast between the devices and the fields, where the fields appear to be mirrorlike and the devices look frosty.

Canadian – A general term for coins and other related numismatic items from Canada.

Canadian – Slang for the coins and other numismatic items of the Canada.

Canadian Silver – Slang term used when referring to silver coins of Canada. (Mainly struck in 80% fineness.)

Cap Bust – A shortened term for Capped Bust.

Capped Bust – A term used to describe any of the various depictions of Miss Liberty as displayed on early U.S. coins by a bust and floppy-capped head. Designed by John Reich.

Capped Die – A “cap” forms on either the upper or lower die when a coin becomes jammed in the coining press and remains there for successive strikes. These are sometimes spectacular with the “cap” often much taller than a regular coin.

Carbon Spot – A dark brown to black discoloration on the surface of a coin caused by oxidation. This is mainly seen on copper and gold coins, though occasionally found on U.S. nickel coins. Carbon spots can vary in size, and their severity will affect the grade and value of the coin.

Carson City Mint – A popular branch of the United States Mint, located in Carson City, Nevada that produced gold and silver coins from 1870-1885 and 1889-1893. This mint used the “CC” mintmark.

Cartwheel – A term applied mainly to frosty Mint State coins, especially silver dollars, to describe their luster when the coin is tilted back and forth under a light source. The luster rotates around the central devices of the coin. This can also be used as a slang term for a silver dollar.

Cast Blanks – Planchets created by a molding process, rather than cut from strips of metal.

Cast Counterfeit – A counterfeit coin upon which a seam is often found on the edge, unless it has been ground down. A replication of a genuine coin created by making molds of the obverse and reverse and casting base metal in the molds.

Castaing Machine – A machine which added edge lettering and devices to early U.S. coins before they were struck. Invented by French engineer Jean Castaing, these machines were used until close collar dies were introduced, which added the edge device during the striking process.

Catalog – The process of writing a description of numismatic items offered for sale. A term also used for our printed listing of auction lots for sale.

CC – A mintmark used to indicate coins struck at the Carson City branch mint, in Carson City, Nevada. See also Carson City Mint.

CCDN – An abbreviation for the Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter.

CCE – An abbreviation for the Certified Coin Exchange.

CDN – An abbreviation for the Coin Dealer Newsletter.

Census – The known specimens of a particular numismatic item. A census allows the collector to determine range and availability of a specific issue.

Cent – A U.S. coin denomination valued at one-hundredth of the standard monetary unit.

Central America, S.S. – Sidewheel steamship launched in 1853, in service in the Atlantic. On September 12, 1857, with over 400 passengers and crew aboard and over $1,600,000 in registered gold treasure (gold was worth $20.67 per ounce), she sank in a hurricane. Much of the treasure was recovered by Bob Evans, Tommy Thompson and others in the 1980s. In the early 21st century our firm participated in the publicity and distribution of certain coins and ingots from the treasure, and Q. David Bowers wrote A California Gold Rush History, which was widely acclaimed. Abbreviated as S.S.C.A.

Certification Service – Third-party grading service which, for a fee, will assign a grade opinion to a coin submitted. Firms include Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America (NGC), ANACS, and others.

Certified Coin – A coin that has been commercially graded by a grading service, a.k.a. certification service. The certified term arose when the American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS), which originally certified coins for their authenticity, began grading coins as well. Such coins were called certified. The name has remained with us.

Certified Coin Dealer Newsletter – A weekly newsletter that reports the bid, ask, and market prices for third-party certified coins. Also known as the “Bluesheet.”

Certified Coin Exchange – A real-time coin bid/ask, sight-seen/unseen rule-governed trading system for coin dealers.

Certified Note – A note that has been commercially graded by a grading service, a.k.a. certification service, and placed in a sealed holder.

CH – An abbreviation for the grade Choice.

Chain Cent – A nickname for the 1793 Flowing Hair cent with the Chain reverse, the first coins struck at the original mint building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Chapman Proof – The 1921 Morgan dollar Proofs supposedly struck for coin dealer Henry Chapman. These coins seldom have cameo devices and deeply mirrored surfaces like most Morgan dollar Proofs.

Charlotte Mint – A branch of the United States Mint, located in Charlotte, North Carolina that produced gold coins from 1838-1861 and was closed due to the Civil War. This mint uses the “C” mintmark.

Charter Number – Beginning in 1863, numbers were assigned to each of the National Banks that were chartered by the Treasury Department. These numbers were printed on the face of each note along with the notes serial numbers. Sometimes the numbers were retained by the bank even if the bank moved or changes its name.

Chasing – A method used by forgers that involves heating the surfaces of a coin and moving the metal to form a mintmark.

Cherrypicker – A collector who finds scarce and unusual coins by carefully searching through unattributed items in old accumulations or dealer inventories.

Choice – An term used to describe an especially select specimen of a given grade, but with no official definition. A choice coin can simply be a nice or a pleasing coin at any grade level.

Choice Unc – An abbreviation for Choice Uncirculated.

Choice Uncirculated – A grading term for an Uncirculated coin grading MS-63 or MS-64.

Chop Marks – Chinese characters stamped on the surface of silver and gold coins in the 19th century to indicated to merchants, banks and others in China that these were of full weight and metallic content. Today, chop marked coins are collected as a numismatic specialty.

Circulated – A term applied to a coin that has any extent of wear.

Circulation – A term for using coins in commerce.

Circulation Strike – A coin intended for eventual use in commerce, also known as a business strike or a regular strike, different from a Proof coin which was intended for collectors.

Clad – A term used to describe the issues of United States dimes, quarters, halves and some dollars made since 1965 with a center core of pure copper and a layer of copper nickel or silver on both sides.

Clad Bag – A term used to describe a bag containing $1,000 of face value clad coinage, most commonly 40% silver half dollars.

Clash Marks – Impressions of the reverse design on the obverse of a coin or the obverse design on the reverse of a coin due to die damage caused when the striking dies impacted each other with great force and without an intervening planchet.

Clashed Dies – Dies that strike each other without a planchet between them (see: clash marks).

Clashing – The process of the upper and lower dies striking each other without a planchet between them.

Classic Era – Considered to be the period from 1792 until 1964 when silver and gold coins of the United States were issued. (Gold coins, however, were not minted after 1933.)

Classic Head – This refers to the image of Miss Liberty that resembles the “classic” style of a Roman or Greek athlete wearing a ribbon around her hair.

Cleaned – A term applied to a coin from which the original surface has been stripped away by having been cleaned with a mild abrasive. The coin then appears slightly washed out and/or has an unnatural appearance depending on the severity of the method used. Coins that have been cleaned are considered damaged and this strongly affects their value.

Clip – A slang term for a coin struck from an irregularly cut or clipped planchet.

Clipped – A term used to describe an irregularly cut planchet. The clip may be straight or curved.

Clogged Die – A die becomes clogged when grease or some sort of other contaminant becomes stuck in its recessed areas. This causes the coins that are struck from these dies to be lacking detail.

Close Collar – The edge apparatus, occasionally called a collar die, that surrounds the lower die and imparts a smooth, plain edge or reeding to the coin.

Closed Collar – Alternate term for close collar.

C-Mint – A term used for coins struck at the Charlotte, North Carolina branch mint.

Cob – Antecedent to the legal-tender Spanish-American coins in the Americas. Spanish-American gold or silver coin denominated in real or escudo denominations. Generally refers to pre-1732 coins which were crudely struck from planchets cut from rods or bars. The typical cob-style coin is crude in appearance with not all of the inscriptions fully struck.

Cohen Variety – Listed as C-1, C-2, C-2a, and so on, Cohen numbers describe different die varieties of half cents.

Coiled Hair – Descriptive of the coiffure of Miss Liberty on certain 1879-1880 pattern coins, especially the $4 gold stella, made by George T. Morgan.

Coin – A piece of metal of standard recognized value, issued under government authority, generally bearing a denomination and intended for circulation.

Coin Collection – A grouping of coins assembled for fun or profit.

Coin Collector – An individual who seeks out and accumulates coins in a systematic manner over a period of time.

Coin Dealer Newsletter – A weekly newsletter that reports the bid and ask for most U.S. coins. Also known as the “Greysheet.”

Coin Doctor – Slang term for a collector or dealer who tries to enhance the value or grade of a coin by cleaning, artificial toning, or other processes, such procedure being conducted privately and with the coins later offered without mention of the “improvements.”

Coin Friction – A term for the area where small amounts of metal are displaced as a result of two coins rubbing together in bags or rolls.

Coin Note – A note redeemable in coins issued in the Series of 1890 and 1891. The denominations range from $1 to $1,000. It was up to the Treasury Department to determine whether silver or gold coins would be paid, but in practice the bearer decided. Also known as Treasury Note.

Coin Show – A defined time and location at which coin dealers and collectors gather to display numismatic items for sale and trade.

Coin World – The top weekly numismatic periodical, established in 1960.

COINage – A monthly numismatic publication.

Coinage – The issuance of metallic money.

Coins Magazine – A monthly numismatic publication.

Collar – The outer ring that holds a planchet in place in the coinage press while the coin is struck by the obverse and reverse dies.

Colonial Coin – A coin struck in or related to colonial America (pre-Revolution) or, loosely, referring to certain other coins through the early 1790s, not made by the federal government.

COMEX – The New York-based Commodity Exchange, Inc. where gold and silver is traded on a daily basis. In the United States, the spot price, or market value of gold at the moment a transaction is finalized, is usually based upon trading at the COMEX.

Commem – A shortened term for the word “commemorative.”

Commemorative – A coin issued in recognition of a person, place, or event, often also to raise funds for a related cause. Sometimes referred to as NCLT (non-circulating legal tender) commemoratives.

Commercial Strike – An alternate term for regular strike or business strike.

Common – A term used to describe the relative availability of a numismatic issue since there is no numerical value assigned for scarcity.

Common Date – A readily available date of issue within a series. A relative term, since there is no exact value for determining the difference between common and scarce dates.

Complete Set – A collection that includes all possible coins within a series, all types, or all coins from a particular branch mint. For example, a complete set of Peace dollars (series) would includes all dates and types between 1921 and 1935.

Compound Interest Treasury Note – Notes issued in the early 1860s in the denominations $1 to $1,000, which would yield interest to the bearer.

Condition – A numismatic item’s state of preservation.

Condition Census – Data concerning the range and availability of the finest known examples of a particular numismatic issue.

Condition Rarity – A term for a common coin that is rare when found in high grades.

Consensus Grading – Using multiple graders to evaluate the condition of a coin.

Conservation – Carefully changing the appearance of a coin’s surface by dissolving grease or oxidation, removing stains or spots, etc., in a manner that does not disturb the original surface (lustrous or mirrorlike), with the goal of enhancing the coin’s market value and desirability.

Contact Marks – The term for marks on a coin that are inflicted by contact with another coin or foreign object. Generally these are small in comparison to gouges or other types of marks.

Contemporary Counterfeit – A coin struck from crude dies, usually composed of base metal, and created to pass for legal tender at the time it was made. These can be collected along with genuine coins, especially in American colonial issues.

Continental Dollars – The first silver dollar-sized coins ever proposed for the United States that are dated 1776, although likely struck sometime later. The reverse link design was suggested by Benjamin Franklin. These were struck in pewter (scarce), brass (rare), copper (extremely rare) and silver (extremely rare) and varieties result from differences in the spelling of the word CURRENCY and the addition of EG FECIT on the obverse. Some of these were possibly struck as experimental or pattern coins.

Copper Spot – A stain or spot that appears on an area where copper concentration that has oxidized, typically seen on gold coinage. Copper stains or spots range in size from tiny dots to large blotches.

Copper-Nickel – The alloy used for small cents from 1856 to mid-1864, comprised of 88% copper and 12% nickel.

Copper-Nickel Cents – A term for cents issued from 1856 until mid 1864 made from copper-nickel alloy. These were commonly called white cents when they were issued due to their pale color in comparison to the red cents of the past.

Coppers – A slang term that encompasses pre-federal copper issues, half cents, and large cents.

Copy – Any reproduction of a coin, fraudulent or otherwise.

Copy Dies – Counterfeit dies copied directly from a genuine coin and also dies made at a later date, typically showing slight differences from the originals.

Coronet Head – Another name for the Braided Hair design by Christian Gobrecht, also called the Liberty Head design.

Corrosion – Damage that occurs on a coin’s surface as the result of a chemical reaction, typically due to improper storage. An example would be rust.

Cost – The price paid for a numismatic item.

Counterfeit – A coin or a piece of currency that is not genuine and was forged in defiance of government authority with the intent to defraud. These include coins that are cast and struck counterfeits, bills printed from false plates, issues with added mintmarks, and issues with altered dates.

Counterstamp – A design, group of letters, or other mark stamped on a coin for special identification or advertising purposes. Counterstamped coins are graded the way regular (not counterstamped) coins are, but the nature and condition of the counterstamp must also be described.

Counting Machine Mark – When the counting machine’s rubber wheel was not set with the proper spacing, it would cause a dense patch of lines on the surface of the coin. This patch of lines is called a counting machine mark.

Crossover – A coin that was encapsulated by one grading service, then sent to another and put in a holder of the second company; i.e., the coin crossed over.

Cud – A die break (see listing) at the rim of a coin, often filling in part of the rim and dentils.

Cupro-Nickel – Any alloy of copper and nickel.

D – A mintmark used to indicate coins struck at the Dahlonega, Georgia branch mint from 1838-1861 or the Denver, Colorado branch mint from 1906 to the present.

Dahlonega Mint – A branch of the United States Mint, located in Dahlonega, Georgia, that produced gold coins from 1838-1861 and was closed due to the Civil War. This mint uses the “D” mintmark.

Damaged Coin – A coin that has been impaired apart from normal wear, by scraping, drilling, polishing, or other abuse. Generally, a damaged coin will not be given a stand-alone grading designation but will be described adjectivally. Example: 1822 cent, holed at the top, otherwise VF-30. Such a coin must not be simply described as VF-30 without further comment.

Date – The numerals on a coin that represent the year the coin was struck . Restrikes are made in years subsequent to the date that appears on them.

Date Size Descriptions – Terms are used to differentiate the size of the numerals on the date of a given coin, comparative in relation to other varieties of the same issue. Such terms as Small Date, Large Date, and Medium Date are often used. Often capitalized in numismatic usage.

Date Spacing (Width) Descriptions – Terms such as Wide Date, Compact Date, Narrow Date, etc., are sometimes employed to describe the spacing of numerals within a date or the overall width of a date, comparative in relation to other varieties of the same issue.

DCAM – An abbreviation for Deep Cameo contrast.

DDO – An abbreviation for doubled die obverse.

Dealer – One who buys, sells, and trades numismatic material.

Deep Cameo – A term that applies typically to a Proof or prooflike coin with deeply frosted central devices and lettering in high contrast to the mirror like fields. Sometimes these are called “black and white” cameos.

Deep Cameo Contrast – Describes the portrait or devices on a Proof coin being especially frosted or satiny, or cameo, in contrast with mirrorlike fields. Abbreviated DCAM. Seemingly more contrasted than Cameo (CAM). Certain of this is semantics, with actual differences being slight between various cameo designations.

Deep Mirror Prooflike – An Uncirculated coin with the fields struck from highly polished or mirrored dies, and closely resembling a Proof.

Demand Note – Notes issued in 1861 and early 1862 redeemable in gold coins, with denominations $5 to $20.

Denomination – The value assigned to a specific coin or piece of currency by the government.

Denticles – Small, toothlike projections around the inner rim of some coins, most often seen on coins from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Dentils – A shortened term for denticles.

Denver Mint – A branch of the United States Mint, located in Denver, Colorado that manufactures coins of all denominations for general circulation, stores gold and silver bullion, medals, coin dies, and manufactures Uncirculated coin sets and commemorative coins. The Denver Mint was established in 1906 and uses the “D” mintmark.

Design – A coin or other numismatic item’s motif. Peace dollars, Buffalo nickels, and Liberty double eagles are examples of designs.

Design Type – A distinct motif that is on a coin or other numismatic item and used for multiple denominations or subtypes. An example would be the Barber design type that was used on silver dimes, quarters and half dollars.

Designation – A characteristic added to a coin’s grade that specifies a certain attribute or quality such as color, strike or appearance not covered by the numerical grade. Not all series and denominations have designations, but for those that do, the associated designation will affect the coin’s value. Copper coins have color designations of Red, Red-Brown, and Brown. Standing Liberty quarters can have the designation of Full Head, where Miss Liberty’s head is fully struck. Some other designations include: Prooflike, Deep Cameo, Deep Mirror Prooflike.

Designer – The artist who creates a coin’s design.

Details – Small features and fine lines in a coin design, particularly those seen in hair, leaves, wreaths, and feathers.

Deuce – A slang term for a $2 bill.

Device – Any element of design, often referring to the main design element, on either the obverse or reverse of a coin or numismatic item. An example would be the head of Miss Liberty.

Device Punch – A steel rod with raised devices on the end that would be used to punch the elements into a working die, a technique used prior to hubbed dies.

Die – A shank or rod of steel engraved on its face with a design for use in stamping coins.

Die Alignment – A term that indicates that the obverse and reverse dies are in their proper position and will strike a coin evenly.

Die Break – A raised area on a coin caused by metal filling the space caused from a small chip or piece falling out of a die. Those at the rim of a coin are called cuds or cud breaks. Die breaks can be interesting and have no effect on grade or market value of older coins but for a modern issue can command a great premium.

Die Crack – A raised ridge, often irregular, on the surface of a coin, caused by a crack in the die, and metal from the planchet filling the crack. Die cracks can be interesting and have no effect on grade or market value of older coins but for a modern issue can command a great premium.

Die Line – Appearing as raised lines on a coin, these are caused by polish lines on the die.

Die Polish – Refers to a “bright” or mirrorlike spot or area, not the entire surface, of a coin, where a working die was polished slightly to remove an imperfection, rust, etc. Heavy die polishing is a different matter, and refers to the entire field of a coin being resurfaced, also called relapping. Heavy die polishing sometimes resulted in the removal of low-relief details in a coin, while at the same time giving a prooflike surface.

Die Rust – Raised grainy patches on a coin caused by rust on the die, often the result of improper storage.

Die State – An easily identified point in the life span of a coinage die. Dies can clash, rust, crack, break, etc., and evidence of such represents a different state of the die. Certain coins have barely distinguishable die states, while others show multiple distinctive die states.

Die Striations – Raised lines on coins caused by having been struck with polished dies, similar to die lines.

Die Trial – A term for testing the strike of a particular die in a different metal.

Die Variety – Any minor alteration to the basic design of a coin that has already been attributed by denomination, date, mintmark and major variety. Some examples of die varieties are variances in the size, shape, and positioning of the date and mintmark.

Die Wear – A term for the loss of detail on a coin caused by striking the coin with worn dies.

Dime – A denomination valued at one-tenth of the standard monetary unit, issued by the United States starting in 1796.

Ding – A common term for a small to medium sized mark on a coin.

Dipped – A coin that has been placed in a chemical solution, often resulting in the removal of toning from most coins. When a coin is dipped, the first few layers of metal are removed and will eventually lose luster. We do not advise dipping your coins.

Dipping Solution – A commercial chemical solution available on the market and used to dip coins.

Disme – One tenth of a dollar. The early spelling of the word “dime.”

D-Mint – An abbreviation for coins struck at the Dahlonega, Georgia mint from 1838-1861 or the Denver, Colorado mint 1906-present.

DMPL – An abbreviation for Deep Mirror Prooflike. Sometimes pronounced “dimple.”

Doctored – A descriptive term for a numismatic item that has been enhanced by chemical or other means, usually considered a derogatory expression.

Dollar – A denomination valued at one hundred cents and considered to be the U.S. standard monetary unit. Authorized by the United States government via the Mint Act of 1792. The word “dollar” is the anglicized spelling of the European thaler and was chosen due to the world-wide acceptance of the thaler and the Spanish Milled dollar.

Double Die Obverse – A doubled die error (see also) that results in the doubling of design elements on the obverse only.

Double Eagle – A United States $20 gold coin.

Doubled Die – A die that has been struck more than once by a hub that is in imperfect alignment, resulting in the doubling of design elements; the coin is called a doubled-die error. The most famous is the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent.

Double-Struck – A term for a coin that is not ejected from the dies and is struck again. To sharpen their details, Proof coins are generally double struck intentionally and this is sometimes visible under magnification. Coins can also be triple-struck or more.

Doubloon – Spanish-American 8-escudos gold coin equal to about $16 U.S. Such coins were legal tender in the United States until the implementation of the Act of February 21, 1857, but were mainly used in large commercial transactions, not in everyday change. Fractional pieces of 8-escudo doubloons were called pieces of eight (as were fractional pieces of 8-real silver “dollars”).

Draped Bust – A design of Miss Liberty with a drape across her bust line attributed to Mint Engraver Robert Scot who is thought to have copied a portrait by Gilbert Stuart.

Drift Mark – A streaky or discolored area on a coin, typically long, caused by foreign matter or impurities on the die.

Dull – A lackluster numismatic item, possibly the result of natural environmental conditions or cleaning.

EAC – An abbreviation for Early American Coppers.

Eagle – A United States $10 gold coin. Name also applies to certain gold bullion coins.

Early American Coppers (Club) – A club whose purpose is to advance the study of pre-1857 U.S. copper issues, including colonial-era coins.

ED – An abbreviation for environmental damage.

Edge – The rim or “third side” of a coin, which may bear vertical striations (reeding or milling), lettering or ornamentation so any clipping or shaving of precious metals would be obvious.

Edge Device – The design elements, like letters or emblems, on the edge of a coin.

Educational Note – A common name for the elaborately designed Series of 1896 Silver Certificates, including the $1, $2 and $5.

EF – An abbreviation for Extremely Fine.

Electrotype – A counterfeit coin made by the electrodepositation of metal.

Elements – The devices and emblems on a coin. In the context of grading, the components that constitute the grade.

Eliasberg, Louis E. – Beginning in 1925 Mr. Eliasberg, a Baltimore banker and eventually the owner of the Finance Company of America, commenced building a coin collection, augmented greatly in 1942 when the John H. Clapp Collection of United States coins was purchased intact for $100,000, through Stack’s, this being tied for the greatest private transaction in American numismatics up to that time. Mr. Eliasberg then determined to acquire one of every date and mintmark of federal coinage from the 1793 half cent to the 1933 double eagle. This was accomplished in 1950 when he purchased the unique 1873-CC No Arrows dime. He also had a wide selection of ancient coins, private and territorial gold , colonial coins, and more. We auctioned the collection in a series of record-breaking sales beginning in 1982 and concluding in 2010 for nearly $45 million and his collection is considered to be one of the greatest in numismatic history.

Embossing – A term to describe the raised printing on a note caused by pressing damp paper into the recesses of a printing plate.

Emission Sequence – The order in which die states are struck. Also, the die use sequence for a particular issue.

Encapsulation – The encasing of a coin in a hard plastic holder (nickname “slab”) by a third-party grading service such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America (NGC), ANACS, and others.

Encased Postage Stamp – Brass frame, with clear mica face, enclosing a regular federal postage stamp of a denomination from 1¢ to 90¢. On the back of most, embossed in raised letters in brass, is the name of an advertiser. Patented by John Gault, and popular as a money substitute in 1862 and 1863.

Engraver – Formerly called a diesinker, the person responsible for the design and/or punches used for a coin or other numismatic item.

Envelope Toning – A coloration on the surface of a coin resulting from the chemical reaction that occurs when it has been stored in a small manila envelope over a long time.

Environmental Damage – A corrosive effect ranging from minor dulling or toning to severe pitting, evident on a coin that has been exposed to the elements.

Eroded Die – Another term for “worn die.”

Error – The term for a numismatic item that unintentionally varies from the norm. Ordinarily, overdates are not errors since they were done intentionally while other die-cutting “mistakes” are considered errors. Double dies, planchet clips, off-metal strikings, etc. also are errors.

Escudo – Gold denomination equivalent to $2; part of the Spanish-American coinage system. Legal tender in the U.S. until the implementation of the Act of February 21, 1857.

Essai – A term for trial, pattern, and experimental strikings.

Exergue – That portion of a coin beneath the main design generally separated by a line or ridge.

Exonumia – A term to describe collectibles related to coins and paper money, but never legal tender. Examples include tokens, medals, badges, etc.

Expert – One who specializes in a defined numismatic area, for example a copper expert, a Bust dollar expert, etc.

Extra Fine – Shortened term for Extremely Fine.

Extremely Fine – A grading term that describes a coin that has about 90-95% of full detail with only the high points worn, the fields are often with luster barely remaining in the protected areas. This is also abbreviated as EF. The numerical equivalents associated with Extremely Fine are EF-40 and EF-45.

Extremely High Relief – Designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, this 1907 double eagle had so much medallic depth that it had to be struck multiple times to bring up the full detail. The design was then lowered, resulting in the High Relief design, which again was lowered to create the Saint-Gaudens double eagle design.

Eye Appeal – The subjective measure of a coin’s attractiveness. A coin with good eye appeal is one that is attractive and does not have dullness, stains, spots, damage, or anything detracting. Often, a coin with excellent eye appeal will command a premium. Eye appeal can be part of the grading process, and higher grades, such as MS-67 or above usually have good eye appeal.

F – An abbreviation for Fine.

Face of a Note – The front side of a note and paper money equivalent of obverse used for coins.

Face Value – The denomination’s originally assigned value stamped on a coin. Face value does not determine actual value, which is based on numismatic value or metal content.

Fair – A grading term for coins showing heavy wear with the lettering, devices and the date partially visible. This is abbreviated as FR. The numerical equivalent is FR-2.

Fake – A term for a counterfeit, forged 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, as well as the 1868 large cent Type of 1857.

Fasces – The design element consisting of a bundle of rods wrapped around an ax with a protruding blade seen on the reverse of Mercury dimes. The designation “Full Bands” refers to the fasces on which there is complete separation in the central bands across the rods.

Fat Head – A slang term for small size Capped Bust quarters and half eagles.

FB – An abbreviation for Full Bands.

FBL – An abbreviation for Full Bell Lines.

Federal Reserve Bank Note – Notes which have the boldly imprinted name of a Federal Reserve Bank across the middle of the face of the note and a letter designating its district. These large sized notes were issued in the Series of 1915 and 1918 and bear the denominations $1 to $50; small sized notes were issued in the Series of 1929 with denominations ranging from $5 to $100.

Federal Reserve Note – Large size and small size notes from $1 to $10,000, bearing the name of Federal Reserve Bank and a letter designating its district. The first was the Series of 1914 and has been used to the present day.

FH – An abbreviation for Full Head.

Fiat Currency – Coinage not backed by a metal value.

Field – The portion of a coin’s surface not used for a design or inscription.

Fine – A grading term for coins upon which details are worn away. Some detail is present in the recessed areas, but it is not sharp. This is also abbreviated as F. The numerical equivalents associated with Fine are F-12 and F-15.

Fine Gold Content – The actual weight of pure gold in a coin, as opposed to the gross or overall weight of the piece. A U.S. gold bullion eagle has a fine weight of 31.1033 grams. The gross weight of 33.933 grams includes the copper that strengthens the alloy.

Fineness – Purity of gold or silver, normally expressed in terms of one thousand parts.

Finest Known – The best-known condition example of a particular numismatic item.

First Charter Note – A common term for Original Series and Series of 1875 National Bank Notes, with no basis in Treasury documents.

First Shot – The opportunity to buy a numismatic item before it is offered to or shown to anyone else

First Strike – An unofficial term, once popular but now used rarely, referring to a coin struck shortly after a new die is put into use. Such coins often have prooflike surfaces and resemble Proofs in certain (but not all) characteristics. Resurfaced previously-used dies sometimes also have these characteristics, hence there is confusion when this term is used.

Five – Term for a half eagle or a $5 gold coin.

Five Indian – A common term for Indian Head half eagles which were struck from 1908 to 1929.

Five Lib – A common term for Liberty Head half eagles which were struck from 1839 until 1908.

Fixed Price List – A listing of numismatic items for sale at set prices.

Flat Edge – A particular variety of High Reliefs that do not have a wire design on the edge.

Flat Luster – A term for the effect seen on coins that are struck from worn dies, evidenced by a subdued gray or dull luster.

Flip – A plastic, flexible sleeve used to display or store coins. Also, to immediately sell a newly purchased item, usually for short profit.

Flip Rub – A term for slight discoloration on the high points of a coin, caused by contact with a flip.

Flow Lines – A term for the lines that appear when the metal flows outward from the center of the planchet as the coin is struck. These lines reflect light and cause “cartwheel” luster.

Flowing Hair – A design of Miss Liberty where she has long, flowing hair, used from 1794-1795 on half dimes, half dollars and dollars, designed by Robert Scot.

Flying Eagle – A shortened term for Flying Eagle cent.

Flying Eagle Cent – The small cent that replaced the larger one, struck from 1856-1858, designed by James B. Longacre, and composed of 88% copper and 12% nickel.

Flyspecks – Minute oxidation spots often seen on the surfaces of coins, particularly higher grade copper and nickel coins, caused by exposure to small drops of moisture.

Focal Area – The area of a coin which draws a viewer’s eye. An example is the cheek of a Morgan dollar.

Ford, John Jr., Jr. – Ford, born in 1924, entered numismatics as a youth, and when he was a teenager was actively dealing in the greater New York area. He was also an employee of Stack’s and helped with cataloging and sales. Beginning in 1950 he joined New Netherlands Coin Company, and commencing in 1972 worked with Walter Breen and others to turn out some of the finest auction catalogs ever published. In the early 21st century his collection was consigned to us by his estate and was showcased in 24 separate sales over a long period of time. The offering of numismatic Americana was unprecedented and will never be equaled, as it combined not only Ford’s longtime purchases but selections from the estate of F.C.C. Boyd, Wayte Raymond, and others, many of which were unique. Today the catalogs stand as a valuable reference. The total realized challenged the $60 million mark, the most valuable collection ever sold anywhere in the world.

Foreign – A numismatic item not from the United States.

Four-Dollar Gold Piece – Commonly known as a Stella, these were struck from 1879-1800 as patterns.

FR – An abbreviation for Fair.

Fractional Currency – Pertains to small denomination notes issued by the Treasury Department beginning in 1863 and continuing through 1876, of denominations from three cents to fifty cents. These served as monetary substitutes in an era in which silver coins were hoarded by the public. Today they are widely collected.

Franklin – A shortened term for a Franklin half dollar.

Franklin Half Dollar – The half dollar featuring Benjamin Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse, designed by John Sinnock, and struck from 1948 until 1963.

Friction – The appearance of slight wear on a coin’s high points or in the fields, where only the luster is disturbed. Caused by rubbing.

Friedberg Numbers – Refers to catalog numbers devised by Robert Friedberg in Paper Money of the United States, first published in 1953 and a standard reference, updated by his sons Ira and Arthur.

Frosted Devices – The crystallized appearance seen on the raised elements of a coin.

Frosty Luster – The crystalline appearance of coins struck with dies that have frost in their recessed areas. Such coins show vibrant luster on their devices and/or surfaces. The amount of crystallization may vary.

FS – An abbreviation for Full Steps.

Fugio Cents – Considered to be the first coins issued by authority of the United States dated 1787; however Congress did not pass the Mint Act until 1792 so the case for the half dismes of 1792 as the first regular issue is also valid. These were coined in New Haven, Connecticut.

Full Bands – A descriptive term applied to Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dimes or Roosevelt dimes. On Mercury dimes it is when the central band is fully separated. On Roosevelt dimes it refers to full separation on both the upper and lower parts of the crossbands on the torch. Abbreviated as FB.

Full Bell Lines – A descriptive term applied to Franklin half dollars when the lower sets of bell lines are complete. Abbreviated as FBL.

Full Head – A descriptive term applied to Standing Liberty quarters when the helmet of the head has full detail. Abbreviated as FH

Full Steps – A descriptive term applied to a Jefferson nickel when at least 5 steps of Monticello are present. Abbreviated as FS.

Full Strike – The term for an item that displays crisp, full detail.

FUN Show – The annual convention held in early January sponsored by the Florida United Numismatists (FUN).

Fusible Alloy – Copper mixed with silver to create an alloy that would be lighter in weight than copper yet have higher intrinsic value. Used to strike certain 1792 pattern coins.

G – An abbreviation for Good.

Galvano – The large metal relief used in the portrait lathe from which a hub is made.

Garrett, T. Harrison – A scion of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad fortune, Garrett developed an interest in numismatics while a student at Princeton circa 1864. By the time of his death (due to a boating accident in Chesapeake Bay) in 1888, he had the largest collection in private hands in America. This passed eventually to his son Robert then to another son John Work Garrett, who added to it. In 1942 it was gifted to The Johns Hopkins University. Selections from the Garrett Collection were sold by us in 1976 and 1979 through 1981, creating a sensation at the time, the total prices realized exceeded $25,000,000.

Garrett, John Work – Son of T. Harrison Garrett, he entered the ambassadorial service and served in a number of posts over a long period of years. In the late 1910s he acquired the family collection from his brother Robert, and added to it with auction and regular purchase. After his passing it was bequeathed to The Johns Hopkins University. Selections from the Garrett Collection were sold by us in 1976 and 1979 through 1981, creating a sensation at the time.

Garrett, Robert – Son of T. Harrison Garrett, Robert was a medalist in the first modern Olympics held in Athens in 1896. He was heir to the Garrett coin collection, which he kept through the 1910s, then passed it along to his brother John Work Garrett. In 1942 it was gifted to The Johns Hopkins University. Selections from the Garrett Collection were sold by us in 1976 and 1979 through 1981, creating a sensation at the time.

Gem – A descriptive term applied to coins of exceptionally high quality, typically considered Mint State-65 or Proof-65 or better.

Gem BU – An abbreviation for Gem Brilliant Uncirculated.

Gem Unc – An abbreviation for Gem Uncirculated.

Gem Uncirculated – A grading term reserved for coins of exceptional quality, grading Mint State 65 or 66.

Generic Coin – A typical or common coin of its type, in average or below average grade. The type of coin for which sight-unseen bid prices are often given.

German Silver – No one has ever been able to define “German silver,” although the term is widely used in numismatics. Variations have been called argentan, packfong, Feuchtwanger’s Composition, and American silver. This alloy found its main use in providing a cheap substitute for silver in tableware, ornamental articles, etc., and in several proposals for coinage. Generally, German silver contained large proportions of nickel and copper, but also sometimes zinc, lead, and tin. Elemental analysis of certain “German silver” tokens has reveals that some actually contained a small amount of silver. There were no standards.

Gobrecht – An shortened term for “Gobrecht dollar.”

Gobrecht Dollar – Silver dollars designed by Christian Gobrecht, at the time “second engraver” at the United States Mint. In 1840 he became chief engraver at that facility and remained in that position until his death in 1844. These were struck in 1836, 1838 and 1839 and were later restruck from the late 1850s to the 1870s.

Gold – Basic elemental metal. Gold coins were first minted for circulation in 1795 and last struck for circulation in 1933. From their inception copper was added for strength, standardized by the Act of January 18, 1837, as 90% gold and 10% copper. The copper added a warm rosy orange hue to the gold. Sometimes, silver was present as an “impurity,” particularly for metal brought from California after the Gold Rush, and such pieces have a generally lighter color. The specification of 10% allowed for copper allowed amounts of other metals as well, so long as the gold content remained at 90%.

Gold Certificate – Notes redeemable in gold coins including the denominations $10 to $10,000 in both large-size and small-size formats. The backs of the large size notes were printed in a gold color and the backs of the small-size notes were printed in a green color.

Gold Commem – A shortened term for gold commemorative.

Gold Commemorative – Two groups of coins are considered gold commemoratives. The first group is comprised of the 11 gold coins from the classic commemorative series, struck from 1903 to 1926 to honor a person, event or place. The second group is any of the modern United States commemorative gold issues, sometimes called modern gold commemoratives.

Gold Dollar – Small gold coins with a denomination of $1 struck from 1849 until 1889.

Gold Dust – Technically, raw or native gold in powdered or granular form, as mined or processed. Sometimes used in newspaper accounts to refer to gold bullion in general.

Good – A grading term that describes a coin with little detail but outlined major devices. On some coins the rims may be worn to the tops of some letters. This is also abbreviated as G. The numerical equivalents associated with Good are G-4 and G-6.

Grade – The condition or amount of wear that a coin or piece of paper money has received. Generally, the less wear a coin has received, the more valuable it is.

Grader – An expert who evaluates the condition of coins or paper money.

Grading – The method of numerically quantifying the condition of a coin or paper money.

Grading Service – A commercial enterprise that, for a fee, will encase a coin or piece of paper money in a holder or capsule and affix a notation as to an opinion of grade. Synonym: Certification service.

Gram – A metric unit of weight representing 1/1000 kilograms. There are 31.1033 grams per Troy ounce.

Grand Watermelon Note – A common term for the $1,000 Series of 1890 Treasury Notes. So-called for the three zeros on the back that resemble watermelons.

Green Bean – A nickname for the CAC acceptance sticker.

Greenback – A term for a piece of paper money that is printed in green on the back with a face value of $1 or higher. This is also an unofficial popular term for paper money from the United States in general, popularized by the Legal Tender Notes of the 1860s with green backs (but not the first to be printed in this color), and widely used since.