| As is the case with most hobbies, coin collecting | | | | the words that are inscribed around the outer |
| has its own specialized terms or "lingo". The | | | | edge of a coin, for U.S. coins, the legend inscription |
| following, while not an exhaustive list of all the coin | | | | is E Pluribus Unum. Mintage - the total number of |
| collecting terms that you may encounter, | | | | coins of a particular denomination, date and/or |
| provides definitions for the most commonly used | | | | type produced by a mint Mint mark - a symbol |
| terms. Alloy - a combination of two or more | | | | identifying the particular mint which produced the |
| metals in a coin such as cupro-nickel or cupro-zinc. | | | | coin. Mint state - an un-circulated coin in the same |
| Ancient - refers to any coin minted before 500 | | | | condition as when it was originally minted showing |
| A.D. Bag marks - nicks, marks and scratches | | | | no signs of wear Numismatics - the study of |
| resulting from coins in a mint bag being in contact | | | | coins, paper currency, tokens, medals, and other |
| with each other. Bi-metallic coin - a coin with the | | | | similar items. |
| center made from one metal with its outerportion | | | | Obverse - the "heads" side of the coin where a |
| being comprised of a different metal. | | | | portrait of a president, king, queen or other |
| Blank - a round piece of metal made for | | | | national leader appears. Proof coins - coins that |
| subsequent minting into coinage. Bullion - a coin | | | | are struck with greater pressure than normal |
| made of gold or other precious metal with little | | | | using specially polished dies to make the design |
| numismatic value apart from the current value of | | | | more highly polished or mirror-like. Reverse - the |
| the metal from which the coin is made. Cameo - | | | | back or "tails" side of a coin, the opposite side to |
| a coin with a frosted appearance. Circulated coin - | | | | the obverse side of a coin. Rim - the outer edge |
| a coin which has actually been used as money and | | | | of a coin. Un-circulated coin - a coin that has |
| shows some degree of wear. Commemorative | | | | never actually been used as money and has no |
| coin - A coin with a design struck in honor of | | | | visible signs of wear. Variety - any change in the |
| some historical or current event, famous person | | | | design of a coin results in a new coin variety |
| or special anniversary. Error coin - a coin minted | | | | There are many, many more terms which we will |
| by mistake or with a design different than | | | | try to define as they come up in this book, but |
| intended. Grade - the condition of a coin | | | | this is a good start for the beginning collector. So, |
| determined by a set methodology. High points - | | | | you may be wondering. where do I start? The |
| the highest part of a coin's design where the first | | | | choices are varied. |
| signs of wear and tear generally appear. Legend - | | | | |