Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 terms used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 535160 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) 33319 13.86%
Silver Clad 24791 10.31%
BN 15387 6.40%
Encapsulated Coin 14786 6.15%
RB 13494 5.61%
Slabbed Coins 13212 5.50%
Coin Silver 11299 4.70%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 11215 4.66%
Reeded Edge 10529 4.38%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 10355 4.31%
PF (PF60, PF70) 10171 4.23%
MS (MS60-MS70) 9036 3.76%
PQ 9009 3.75%
PR (PR60, PR70) 8579 3.57%
High Relief 8438 3.51%
Obverse or Face side 8019 3.34%
Incuse 7512 3.12%
Rarity 7359 3.06%
Reverse Cameo 6955 2.89%
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) 6858 2.85%