Although many of us have agreed to speak in a common language, communities tend to take the language and mold it to make it unique to their situation. It is the most evident in the differences between terms we use here in the United States versus those used in Great Britain. Just look at your car and know that the compartment that contains the engine is under the hood here in the United States while the engine is in the bonnet in England. As George Bernard Shaw is credited with saying, “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.”

Numismatics is no different. Tell a numismatist that a coin is in good condition and the novice does not understand why the numismatist is no longer interested in the coin. Depending on the coin, a fine coin does not excite either.

What does it mean?

What is a a “bourse?”

Or to say a coins has been plugged?

What is “mint state?”

Now you have a place to look up the words. Under the tab, “Collector’s Reference” at the top of this page there is a new submenu titled Numismatic Glossary. The Coinblog’s Numismatic Glossary is the result of a one year collection of numismatic terms and the attempt to write good (or just decent) definitions of those terms.

I am publishing the Numismatic Glossary is a resource to the numismatic community. While I tried to be as accurate as possible, it is possible that I made a mistake. It is also possible that I left something out. If you have a correction or a request for me to add a term, please drop me a note and let me know.

EDITED TO ADD: I also updated the U.S. Coins by Type page to include the 2013 American Buffalo reverse proof coin.

Happy Collecting!

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