Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 titles used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 987578 search inquires.

Random title: Cleaning
Explanation: Refers to removing dirt or otherwise altering the appearance of a coin through the use of chemical or abrasive materials that damage or scratch the surface in a detectable fashion. Cleaning is different than whizzing or mechanical alteration of the surface. A gentle cleaning in water or solvent that leaves no marks or residue is usually not considered harmful. Cleaning by either mechanical or chemical means that are detectable will generally result in lowering the grade and value of a coin

Most popular coin titles

DefinitionSearchesPercentage
Specimen Proof (SP-70 or PF-70) 54851  13.75%
Silver Clad 31860  7.99%
Coin Silver 23936  6.00%
Slabbed Coins 22839  5.73%
BN 22393  5.61%
Encapsulated Coin 21503  5.39%
RB 20789  5.21%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 17943  4.50%
PF (PF60, PF70) 17627  4.42%
Reeded Edge 16696  4.19%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 16617  4.17%
PQ 15469  3.88%
Rarity 15453  3.87%
PR (PR60, PR70) 15350  3.85%
MS (MS60-MS70) 15242  3.82%
Incuse 14511  3.64%
Coin drop 14234  3.57%
High Relief 14162  3.55%
Reverse Cameo 13778  3.45%
Obverse or Face side 13468  3.38%