Coin Terminology and Glossary

The Coin Collecting Dictionary includes 546 titles used widely in the coin collectors community, and has received over 1029163 search inquires.

Random title: Cleaning
Explanation: Refers to removing dirt or otherwise altering the appearance of a coin through the use of chemical or abrasive materials that damage or scratch the surface in a detectable fashion. Cleaning is different than whizzing or mechanical alteration of the surface. A gentle cleaning in water or solvent that leaves no marks or residue is usually not considered harmful. Cleaning by either mechanical or chemical means that are detectable will generally result in lowering the grade and value of a coin

Most popular coin titles

DefinitionSearchesPercentage
Specimen Proof (SP-70 or PF-70) 55187 13.62%
Silver Clad 32145 7.93%
Coin Silver 24227 5.98%
Slabbed Coins 23161 5.72%
BN 22735 5.61%
Encapsulated Coin 21758 5.37%
RB 21193 5.23%
Deep Cameo (DC or DCAM) 18209 4.49%
PF (PF60, PF70) 17939 4.43%
Reeded Edge 16988 4.19%
Ultra Cameo (UCAM) 16863 4.16%
PR (PR60, PR70) 15916 3.93%
Rarity 15867 3.92%
PQ 15754 3.89%
MS (MS60-MS70) 15509 3.83%
Incuse 14812 3.66%
Coin drop 14532 3.59%
High Relief 14430 3.56%
Reverse Cameo 14112 3.48%
Obverse or Face side 13837 3.41%