Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 terms used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 513540 search inquires.

Selected term: Buffing (whizzed)
Explanation: A polishing of a coin sometimes with an abrasive that leaves a finish that attempts to counterfeit mint luster. A buffed coin often is worth less than one that has not been cleaned

Most popular coin terms

DefinitionSearchesPercentage
Specimen Proof (SP-70 or PF-70) 32274 13.86%
Silver Clad 24136 10.37%
BN 15080 6.48%
Encapsulated Coin 14471 6.21%
RB 13088 5.62%
Slabbed Coins 12618 5.42%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 10963 4.71%
Coin Silver 10910 4.69%
Reeded Edge 10237 4.40%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 10138 4.35%
PF (PF60, PF70) 9756 4.19%
PQ 8686 3.73%
MS (MS60-MS70) 8678 3.73%
PR (PR60, PR70) 8345 3.58%
High Relief 8161 3.50%
Obverse or Face side 7826 3.36%
Rarity 7078 3.04%
Incuse 6929 2.98%
Reverse Cameo 6769 2.91%
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) 6664 2.86%