alloy:
a mixture of two or more metals.[TOP]
annealing:
heating blanks (planchets) in a furnace that softens the metal.
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archiving:
to file or collect.
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assay:
to analyze and determine the purity of metal.
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bag mark:
a mark on a coin from contact with other coins in a mint bag.
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blank:
another word for planchet, the blank piece of metal on which a coin design is stamped.
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bullion:
uncoined gold or silver in bars or other storage shapes (ingots).
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business strike:
a coin intended for circulation (as opposed to a proof coin specially made for collectors).
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bust:
a portrait on a coin, usually including the head, neck and upper shoulders.
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circulating coin:
a coin that's used in daily life as money.
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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.
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collar:
a metal piece that restrains the expanding metal of a planchet during striking.
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commemorate:
to honor an outstanding person, place, or event in history.
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commemorative:
a special coin, issued to honor an outstanding person, place, or event in history.
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condition:
the physical state of a coin.
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counterfeit:
a fake coin or other piece of currency made so that people will think it's genuine.
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currency:
any kind of money - coins, paper money, wampum - that's used as a medium of exchange.
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denomination:
the different values of money.
United States coins come in these denominations:
pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, half dollars, and dollars.
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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.
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designer:
the artist who creates a coin's design (but doesn't necessarily engrave the design into a coinage die).
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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.
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emblem:
symbol or mark used as an identifying mark.
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engraver:
the person who cuts the design into a coinage die (not necessarily the designer).
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error:
a coin improperly produced but not found and recycled.
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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.
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field:
the portion of a coin's surface not used for design or inscription.
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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".
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hairlines:
tiny lines or scratches on coins, usually caused by cleaning or polishing.
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incuse:
opposite of relief, the part of a coin's design that is pressed into the surface.
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inscription:
the legend or lettering on a coin.
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intrinsic value (bullion value):
how much the metal in a coin is worth.
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key date:
a scarce date required to complete a collection, usually more difficult to find and afford.
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legal tender:
coins, dollar bills, or other currency issued by a government as official money.
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legend:
principal lettering on a coin.
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medal:
a metal object resembling a coin but not used for legal tender.
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medallion:
a large medal.
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medium of exchange:
anything that people agree has a certain value.
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mint:
a place where coins are made.
The United States Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver produce all circulating coins for this country.
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mint facilities:
there are four production facilities where coins and medals are made - Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point, New York.
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mint luster:
the dull, frosty, or satiny shine found on uncirculated coins.
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mint mark:
a small letter on a coin identifying which mint struck the coin.
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mint police:
this special force protects all Mint buildings, including the four production facilities, the headquarters building, and Fort Knox.
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mint set:
a complete set of coins of each denomination produced by a particular mint.
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mint state:
same as uncirculated.
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mintage:
the quantity of coins produced.
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motto:
a phrase or slogan on a coin that is symbolic of a country's ideals.
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MS-63:
a high grade in the coin grading scale created by the American Numismatic Association.
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numismatics:
the study and collecting of things that are used as money, including coins, tokens, paper bills, and medals.
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obsolete:
a coin design or type that is no longer produced.
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obverse:
the front (or "heads") side of a coin. It usually has the date, mint mark, and main design.
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off-center:
describes a coin that has received an off-center strike from the coin press and has portions of its designs
missing.
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overstrike:
a new coin produced with a previously struck coin used as the planchet.
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pattern:
an experimental or trial piece, generally of a new design or metal.
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pickle:
to soak in a liquid for some time.
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planchet:
the blank piece of metal on which a coin design is stamped.
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precious metals:
gold, silver, and other rare metals that are valuable.
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proof:
a specially produced coin made from highly polished planchets and dies and often struck twice to accent the design.
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proof set:
a complete set of proof coins of each denomination made in a year.
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relief:
opposite of incuse, the part of a coin's design that is raised above the surface.
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restrike:
a coin that is minted using the original dies but at a later date.
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reverse:
the back (or "tails") side of a coin.
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riddler:
a machine that screens out blanks (planchets) that are the wrong size or shape.
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rim:
the raised edge on both sides of a coin (created by the upsetting mill) that helps protect the coin's design from wear.
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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 dollars.
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seal:
an official symbol or mark.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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uncirculated:
a coin in new condition that doesn't have any signs of wear.
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upsetting mill:
a machine that raises the rim on both sides of a blank (planchet).
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variety:
a minor change from the basic design type of a coin.
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year set:
a collection of all coins issued by a country for any one year (does not necessarily include every mint mark).
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