Coin Glossary

alloy 
a mixture of two or more metals

annealing
heating blanks (planchets) in a furnace that softens the metal

assay
to analyze and determine the purity of metal

bag mark
a mark on a coin from contact with other coins in a mint bag

bi-metallic
a coin comprised of two different metals, bonded together

blank
another word for planchet, the blank piece of metal on which a coin design is stamped

bullion
precious metals like platinum, gold, or silver in the form of bars or other storage shapes. Bullion coins are coins that are made of these metals and sold at bullion prices

business strike
a coin intended for circulation (as opposed to a proof coin specially made for collectors)

bust
a portrait on a coin, usually including the head, neck and upper shoulders

circulating coin
a coin that's used in daily life as money

clad coinage
coins that have a core and outer layer made of different metals. Since 1965, all United States dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars have been clad

collar
a metal piece that restrains the expanding metal of a planchet during striking

commemorate
to honor an outstanding person, place, or event in history

commemorative
a special coin, issued to honor an outstanding person, place, or event in history

counterfeit
a fake coin or other piece of currency made so that people will think it's genuine

denomination
the different values of money. United States coins come in these denominations: pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars

designer
the artist who creates a coin's design (but doesn't necessarily engrave the design into a coinage die)

die
a piece of metal that has the coin's design (pictures, value, and mottoes). The coining press holds both the front and back dies

edge
the outer border of a coin, considered the "third side" (not to be confused with "rim"). Some coins feature lettering, reeding, or ornamental designs on their edges

emblem
symbol or mark used as an identifying mark

error
a coin improperly produced but not found and recycled

face value
the sum for which a coin can be spent or exchanged (a dime's face value is 10¢) as opposed to its collector or precious metal value

field
the portion of a coin's surface not used for design or inscription

grade
describes how much - or how little - wear and tear coins have. The ANA scale measures - or grades - coins from "About Good - 3" to "Perfect Uncirculated - 70"

hairlines
tiny lines or scratches on coins, usually caused by cleaning or polishing

incuse
opposite of relief, the part of a coin's design that is pressed into the surface

inscription
the legend or lettering on a coin

intrinsic value (bullion value)
how much the metal in a coin is worth

key date
a scarce date required to complete a collection, usually more difficult to find and afford

legal tender
coins, dollar bills, or other currency issued by a government as official money

legend
principal lettering on a coin

medal
a metal object resembling a coin but not used for legal tender

medallion
a large medal

medium of exchange
anything that people agree has a certain value.

mint
a place where coins are made.

mint luster
the dull, frosty, or satiny shine found on uncirculated coins. 

mint mark
a small letter on a coin identifying which mint struck the coin.

mint police
this special force protects all Mint buildings, including the four production facilities, the headquarters building, and Fort Knox

mint set
a complete set of coins of each denomination produced by a particular mint.

mint state
same as uncirculated

mintage
the quantity of coins produced.

motto
a phrase or slogan on a coin that is symbolic of a country's ideals.

MS-63
a high grade in the coin grading scale created by the American Numismatic Association.

numismatics
the study and collecting of things that are used as money, including coins, tokens, paper bills, and medals.

obsolete
a coin design or type that is no longer produced

obverse
the front (or "heads") side of a coin. It usually has the date, mint mark, and main design

off-center
describes a coin that has received an off-center strike from the coin press and has portions of its designs missing

overstrike
a new coin produced with a previously struck coin used as the planchet

pattern
an experimental or trial piece, generally of a new design or metal.

pickle
to soak in a liquid for some time

planchet
the blank piece of metal on which a coin design is stamped

precious metals
gold, silver, and other rare metals that are valuable.

proof
a specially produced coin made from highly polished planchets and dies and often struck twice to accent the design

proof set
a complete set of proof coins of each denomination made in a year

relief
opposite of incuse, the part of a coin's design that is raised above the surface

restrike
a coin that is minted using the original dies but at a later date.

reverse
the back (or "tails") side of a coin

riddler
a machine that screens out blanks (planchets) that are the wrong size or shape

rim
the raised edge on both sides of a coin (created by the upsetting mill) that helps protect the coin's design from wear

roll
coins packaged by banks or dealers.
The number of coins in a roll depends on the denomination: 50 cents, 40 nickels, 50 dimes, 40 quarters, 20 half dollars, or 20 dollar

seal
an official symbol or mark

series
a collection of coins that contains all date and mint marks of a specific design and denomination. For example, a Kennedy series would include a Kennedy half dollar from each year since the coins were first issued.

strike
the process of stamping a coin blank with a design.
The strength of the imprint - full, average, or weak - affects the value of rare coins

type set
a collection of coins based on denomination.
For example, a nickel type set would contain one of each of the four types of nickels that the United States Mint has produced.

uncirculated
a coin in new condition that doesn't have any signs of wear.

upsetting mill
a machine that raises the rim on both sides of a blank (planchet).

variety
a minor change from the basic design type of a coin.

year set
a collection of all coins issued by a country for any one year (does not necessarily include every mint mark)

Source: US Mint.Gov