Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 terms used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 392902 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) 26063 14.06%
Silver Clad 20636 11.13%
BN 12764 6.89%
Encapsulated Coin 11754 6.34%
RB 10417 5.62%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 9027 4.87%
Slabbed Coins 8570 4.62%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 8353 4.51%
Coin Silver 8290 4.47%
Reeded Edge 8088 4.36%
PF (PF60, PF70) 7479 4.03%
PQ 6801 3.67%
PR (PR60, PR70) 6642 3.58%
Obverse or Face side 6456 3.48%
MS (MS60-MS70) 6442 3.48%
High Relief 6395 3.45%
Reverse Cameo 5453 2.94%
Rarity 5342 2.88%
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) 5200 2.81%
Clad Coinage 4980 2.69%