Numismatic Dictionary

A type of error that occurs when the coin is struck more than once.

A type of auction where bids are sent to the auctioneer via the mail. Modern Mail Bid Sales are conducted using email or a web-based form on the auction company’s website. See also auction.

A coin that is widely recognized as having a major difference from other coins of the same date, design, type, and mint.

A non-precious dark stainless metal that is not found on its own but with other metals. It has been used in alloys to strike coins, such as U.S. $1 coins, since 2000. Sometimes written using its chemical symbol of Mn.

A city in the Philippines once home to the only branch of the U.S. Mint outside the continental United States. The original mint was operated by the U.S. Mint from 1920-1946 with interruptions from World War II while the Philippines was a United States territory. The Manila Mint struck coins only used in the Philippines. Some coins struck in Manila have an "M" mintmark. Philippines coins that bear an "S" mintmark were struck in San Francisco.

Bullion coin program produced by the Royal Canadian Mint

The name given to any silver coin that was used in world trade, primarily in the eastern Mediterranean, since 1741. The trade coin's size and weight were standardized in 1951. It was named after Empress Maria Theresa, ruler of the territories of central Europe from 1745 until her death in 1780. Maria Theresa thaler coins struck after 1780 were dated 1780 in her memory.

The grade at which most reputable dealers and auction houses would offer an uncertified coin.

Imperfections acquired after a coin is struck.

The original die from which working dies are cast.

The original hub created by the portrait lathe. Master dies are created from this hub.

A synonym for hub doubling.

A proof coin produced by the U.S. Mint mainly from 1907 to 1916 which has sandblasted or acid-pickled surfaces.

Maundy money, or the Queen’s Maundy money, is a symbolic handout to poor elderly recipients who served the sovereign of England. Modern Maundy money are non-circulating legal tender silver coins that are given with a small amount of circulating money instead of gifts of clothing and food. The ceremony derives from an instruction of Jesus at the Last Supper that his followers should love one another. Traditions, such as washing of the feet (mandatum) and other gifts, have evolved to a symbolic handout of money.

A coin-like object produced to commemorate an event or person. A medal is not legal tender and has no face value struck on it.

Medals are generally struck with the coinage dies facing the same direction during striking. This is the opposite of coin alignment. See also medal orientation.

When a coin is struck and the orientation of the obverse and reverse dies is in the same direction, it is said that they are in medal orientation. Coins struck like this can be flipped over top-to-bottom and the design will appear "upside down." See also coin orientation.

A high-pressure coining press acquired by the U.S. Mint in the 1850s to strike medals and other special issues.

A coin-like object produced to commemorate an event or person. Synonym for medal.

A coin struct from about 500 until 1500 of the Common Era

Term for the intrinsic metal value of a coin.

The value of the metals contained in a coin or medal.

The movement of metal between the dies as a coin is struck. See also flow lines

Radial lines, sometimes visible, caused by metal flowing outward from the center of the planchet during the minting process. See also flow lines or cartwheel.

Very small printing used during the currency making process to help prevent counterfeiting.

Collecting of military-related items such as awards, medals, and payment scrip.

A form of currency that was used to pay military personnel in foreign countries or be used in on-base or military-controlled stores.

A silver coin struck in and for commerce in the Spanish colonies of the Western Hemisphere. See also reales.

A mark resulting from the reeded edge of one coin hitting the surface of another.

Used to describe a coin that weighs less than a crown and is smaller and whose value is less than a crown. This definition applies to coins made of any coining material except gold.

A coin that has a minor difference from other coins of the same design, type, date, and mint.

A facility where coins are manufactured.

A coin that that is flawed as a result of a mistake that occurred during its production at the United States Mint. See also error.

A set produced by the U.S. Mint of business strike coins for the year.

Term referring to toning acquired by coins after years of storage in the original holders as packaged by the mint.

Similar to uncirculated, it is a term that refers to a coin that shows no sign of circulation or wear.

The number of coins of a particular date struck at a given mint during a specific year.

A letter or other marking on a coin’s surface to identify the mint at which the coin was struck.

Term applied to coins with striking irregularities. See also error.

A striking error caused by one or both dies not set properly in the coining machine or worked loose during striking.

A proof coin that somehow escaped into circulation or was otherwise significantly abused.

A type of error that occurs when part of the metal of a clad coin separates from the planchet.

Term used to describe a commemorative coin produced since commemorative programs were restarted in 1982. See also commemorative.

Term used to describe coins produced since 1965. At this time, all circulating coins were made using base medals except for the Kennedy half-dollar from 1965-1969 when the amount of silver was reduced to 40-percent.

An accepted common medium of exchange and measure of value.

An aluminum-rich clay that is used as a desiccant. See also desiccant.

Uneven toning, usually characterized by splotchy areas of drab colors. See also toning.

A word, sentence or phrase inscribed on a coin to express a guiding national principle. For example, E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One) that is inscribed on all U.S. circulating coins.

A mule is a type of mint error that occurs when a coin is struck with two dies that were not intended to be used together. See also error.

A type of mint error when the coin was struck more than once. A multiple-struck coin can show the design as it is struck in multiple places.

A severely damaged coin.

A neutral plastic used to make archival safe storage supplies.