Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 terms used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 14167 search inquires.

Random term: Cameo

Explanation: A coin, usually struck as a Proof, with a frosted or satiny central device surrounded by a mirrorlike field. Modern day proof coins are struck from specially treated dies to give this frosted (cameo) appearance. On older proof coins, the first produced by a die might have a cameo appearance. Later, as the dies starts to wear (or break in) the coins produced will have less and less of the cameo frosting. Most proof US coins prior to the mid 1960's will have a mirror like surface over the whole coin. One with a frosted cameo design will bring a premium, sometimes a substantial one. Even today, some coins sell for more if the cameo effect is more pronounced than the typical coin

Most popular coin terms

Definition	Searches	Percentage
Silver Clad	1031	13.07%
PR (PR60, PR70)	621	7.87%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM)	599	7.59%
BN	489	6.20%
Specimen Proof (SP-70 or PF-70)	475	6.02%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM)	472	5.98%
Encapsulated Coin	376	4.76%
Deep Mirror Prooflike (DPML)	362	4.59%
Reeded Edge	352	4.46%
RB	348	4.41%
PF (PF60, PF70)	342	4.33%
MS (MS60-MS70)	336	4.26%
Obverse or Face side	309	3.92%
Reverse Cameo	293	3.71%
Coin Silver	268	3.40%
Buffing (whizzed)	253	3.21%
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU)	251	3.18%
RD	247	3.13%
Clad Coinage	244	3.09%
Hard Times Tokens	223	2.83%