Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 terms used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 424981 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) 27805 13.95%
Silver Clad 21840 10.96%
BN 13542 6.79%
Encapsulated Coin 12534 6.29%
RB 11267 5.65%
Slabbed Coins 9814 4.92%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 9610 4.82%
Coin Silver 9104 4.57%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 8857 4.44%
Reeded Edge 8698 4.36%
PF (PF60, PF70) 8098 4.06%
PQ 7301 3.66%
PR (PR60, PR70) 7117 3.57%
MS (MS60-MS70) 7022 3.52%
High Relief 6920 3.47%
Obverse or Face side 6866 3.44%
Reverse Cameo 5894 2.96%
Rarity 5874 2.95%
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) 5626 2.82%
Clad Coinage 5437 2.73%