Alloy

a combination of two or more metals in a coin such as

cupro-nickel or cupro-zinc.

Ancient

refers to any coin minted before 500 A.D.

Bag marks

nicks, marks and scratches resulting from coins in a mint

bag being in contact with each other.

Bi-metallic coin

a coin with the center made from one metal with its outer

portion being comprised of a different metal.

Blank

a round piece of metal made for subsequent minting into

coinage.

Bullion

a coin made of gold or other precious metal with little

numismatic value apart from the current value of the metal

from which the coin is made.

Cameo

a coin with a frosted appearance.

Circulated coin

a coin which has actually been used as money and shows

some degree of wear.

Commemorative coin

A coin with a design struck in honor of some historical or

current event, famous person or special anniversary.

Error coin

a coin minted by mistake or with a design different than

intended.

Grade

the condition of a coin determined by a set methodology.

High points

the highest part of a coin's design where the first signs of

wear and tear generally appear.

Legend

the words that are inscribed around the outer edge of a coin,

for U.S. coins, the legend inscription is E Pluribus Unum

Mintage

the total number of coins of a particular denomination, date

and/or type produced by a mint

Mint mark

a symbol identifying the particular mint which produced the

coin

Mint state

an un-circulated coin in the same condition as when it was

originally minted showing no signs of wear

Numismatics

the study of coins, paper currency, tokens, medals, and

other similar items

Obverse

the "heads" side of the coin where a portrait of a president,

king, queen or other national leader appears

Proof coins

coins that are struck with greater pressure than normal

using specially polished dies to make the design more highly

polished or mirror-like

Reverse

the back or "tails" side of a coin, the opposite side to the

obverse side of a coin

Rim

the outer edge of a coin.

Un-circulated coin

a coin that has never actually been used as money and has

no visible signs of wear

Variety

any change in the design of a coin results in a new coin

variety

There are many, many more terms which we will try to define as they come up in this book, but this is a good start for the beginning collector. So, you may be wondering. where do I start? The choices are varied.