Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 titles used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 1058344 search inquires.

Random title: R# (R1-R8)
Explanation: Rarity scale: R1 most common; R8 least common. The often used Sheldon scale is:
  • R8 = 1-3 known (estimated), 'Unique or Nearly Unique'
  • R7 = 4-12 known, 'Extremely Rare'
  • R6 = 13-30 known, 'Very Rare'
  • R5 = 31-75 known, 'Rare'
  • R4 = 76-200 known, 'Very Scarce'
  • R3 = 201-500 known, 'Scarce'
  • R2 = 501-1250 known, 'Uncommon'
  • R1 = over 1251 known, 'Common'

Most popular coin titles

DefinitionSearchesPercentage
Specimen Proof (SP-70 or PF-70) 55472  13.54%
Silver Clad 32376  7.90%
Coin Silver 24483  5.97%
Slabbed Coins 23381  5.71%
BN 22968  5.60%
Encapsulated Coin 21961  5.36%
RB 21417  5.23%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 18429  4.50%
PF (PF60, PF70) 18142  4.43%
Reeded Edge 17231  4.20%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 17060  4.16%
Rarity 16181  3.95%
PR (PR60, PR70) 16159  3.94%
PQ 15968  3.90%
MS (MS60-MS70) 15711  3.83%
Incuse 15010  3.66%
Coin drop 14790  3.61%
High Relief 14648  3.57%
Reverse Cameo 14320  3.49%
Obverse or Face side 14067  3.43%