Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 titles used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 1061779 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) 55502  13.52%
Silver Clad 32406  7.90%
Coin Silver 24520  5.97%
Slabbed Coins 23400  5.70%
BN 22990  5.60%
Encapsulated Coin 21981  5.36%
RB 21445  5.23%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 18458  4.50%
PF (PF60, PF70) 18174  4.43%
Reeded Edge 17263  4.21%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 17085  4.16%
Rarity 16207  3.95%
PR (PR60, PR70) 16185  3.94%
PQ 15991  3.90%
MS (MS60-MS70) 15735  3.83%
Incuse 15031  3.66%
Coin drop 14822  3.61%
High Relief 14672  3.57%
Reverse Cameo 14353  3.50%
Obverse or Face side 14098  3.44%