Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 terms used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 490007 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) 31164 13.90%
Silver Clad 23563 10.51%
BN 14732 6.57%
Encapsulated Coin 14051 6.27%
RB 12651 5.64%
Slabbed Coins 11916 5.31%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 10624 4.74%
Coin Silver 10489 4.68%
Reeded Edge 9828 4.38%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 9807 4.37%
PF (PF60, PF70) 9322 4.16%
PQ 8315 3.71%
MS (MS60-MS70) 8244 3.68%
PR (PR60, PR70) 8034 3.58%
High Relief 7873 3.51%
Obverse or Face side 7585 3.38%
Rarity 6759 3.01%
Reverse Cameo 6526 2.91%
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) 6408 2.86%
Clad Coinage 6331 2.82%