Collector & Reseller Glossary

What the jargon actually means — and what it does to resale value. 3,211 terms across 12 categories.

76 terms in Coins & Currency starting with “S” · page 1 of 2

1. sampleCoins & Currency
   A sample coin refers to a specimen or proof piece produced by a mint, often not intended for general circulation or mass retail. These pieces are typically struck in limited quantities, sometimes for promotional purposes
2. scarceCoins & Currency
   This describes a coin that is infrequently found in the current market or in circulated collections. Scarcity is a primary driver of collectible value; if few examples exist, demand from serious collectors can drive pric
3. security threadCoins & Currency
   This refers to the embedded, often microscopic, security features found on certain modern coins, typically involving fine lines or patterns that are difficult to replicate perfectly. For collectors and resellers, the pre
4. seigniorageCoins & Currency
   This term refers to the profit made by a government by issuing currency. Essentially, it is the difference between the face value of a coin or banknote and the actual cost of producing it. For collectors and resellers, u
5. serial number rangeCoins & Currency
   This refers to a specific sequence of numbers printed on a coin, indicating a block or range of production. For collectors, the exact serial number is often as important as the coin's grade, as certain numbers or ranges
6. serial number sequenceCoins & Currency
   This refers to the specific order in which a series of coins were minted, often visible on the coin itself. For collectors, the sequence is crucial because certain numbers or patterns within the sequence can indicate rar
7. serial number varietyCoins & Currency
   This refers to a specific, often rare, sequence of numbers stamped on a coin that deviates from the standard production run. Collectors and resellers actively hunt for these variations because they indicate a specific mi
8. setCoins & Currency
   A collection of related coins, often grouped by theme, denomination, year, or mint mark. These groupings can range from a single year's complete issue to a thematic set like all coins featuring a specific historical figu
9. short dateCoins & Currency
   A short date refers to a coin that was struck in a year that is numerically smaller than the standard or expected date for that particular coin type, often due to minting errors or specific production runs. For collector
10. silverCoins & Currency
    This refers to the elemental metal composition of a coin, indicating that it contains a significant percentage of silver. For collectors and resellers, the purity of the silver—often expressed as a fineness percentage (e
11. silver coinCoins & Currency
    This refers to any numismatic item predominantly composed of silver, which can range from modern circulating currency to rare historical pieces. The purity of the silver, often expressed as a fineness percentage (e.g., .
12. silver proofCoins & Currency
    A silver proof refers to a specific type of coin struck using a highly polished die and often a specially prepared, mirror-like metal surface. These coins are produced for collectors and are characterized by extremely hi
13. slab appraisalCoins & Currency
    This refers to the process where a coin is professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder, often called a slab, by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The appraisal is the offici
14. slab caseCoins & Currency
    A slab case is a protective, tamper-evident holder, usually made of hard plastic, used by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. When a coin is encapsulated in one of these cases, it signifies that a third-party
15. slab certificationCoins & Currency
    This process involves having a professional third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, examine and encapsulate a coin in a tamper-evident holder. The service assigns a numerical grade reflecting the coin's conditi
16. slab characteristicCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific features, condition, and presentation of a coin housed within a professional grading service's protective holder, often called a slab. When a coin is graded, the slab serves as third-party aut
17. slab classificationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the grading and encapsulation process where a third-party service, like PCGS or NGC, assigns a numerical grade to a coin and seals it in a tamper-evident holder, known as a slab. The grade reflects the coi
18. slab companyCoins & Currency
    A slab company is a third-party grading service that encases collectible items, such as coins, in a tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab. These companies authenticate the item's condition, assigning it a nu
19. slab comparisonCoins & Currency
    This refers to the practice of comparing the grading and encapsulation of a specific coin across multiple third-party grading services. Different grading companies use slightly varying standards for assigning grades, and
20. slab databaseCoins & Currency
    A slab database is a centralized, often online, repository that tracks the grading and authentication of collectible coins, typically those encased in protective, tamper-evident plastic holders known as slabs. These data
21. slab detailCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific details visible on a coin after it has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, often called a slab. These details include the grade assigned by the grading service,
22. slab documentationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the official grading and encapsulation provided by professional third-party grading services, such as PCGS or NGC. When a coin is "slabbed," it means it has been sealed in a tamper-evident plastic holder,
23. slab downgradeCoins & Currency
    A slab downgrade occurs when a coin or collectible that was previously graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, known as a slab, is subsequently re-graded by a professional service and assigned a lower grade than
24. slab featureCoins & Currency
    A slab feature refers to the protective, tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab, that professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use to encapsulate a coin. This encapsulation serves as a third-party authe
25. slab grade numberCoins & Currency
    This is the numerical rating assigned by a professional third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, to a coin's condition. The number reflects the coin's overall quality, encompassing details, luster, and preservat
26. slab grade variationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the subtle differences in the grading assigned to a coin by professional grading services, such as PCGS or NGC. Even when two coins are graded at the same numerical score, the specific descriptive terminol
27. slab gradingCoins & Currency
    This process involves submitting a coin to a professional third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, which meticulously inspects the coin's condition and assigns it a numerical grade. This grade reflects the coin'
28. slab historyCoins & Currency
    This refers to the documented history of a coin's professional grading and encapsulation, typically provided by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. It details every slab the coin has been housed in, including
29. slab holderCoins & Currency
    A slab holder is a protective, tamper-evident plastic case used by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC to encapsulate and certify coins. When a coin is graded, it is sealed within this holder, which displays t
30. slab insuranceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the insurance coverage specifically applied to graded and encapsulated coins, often housed in protective plastic holders known as slabs. When a coin is professionally graded by a third-party service, it re
31. slab lineageCoins & Currency
    This refers to the documented history of a coin's professional grading and encapsulation, often involving multiple grading services or re-slabbing. For collectors and resellers, the lineage is crucial because it provides
32. slab marketCoins & Currency
    This refers to the market segment dealing with professionally graded and encapsulated coins, often housed in protective plastic holders called slabs. Third-party grading services, like PCGS or NGC, authenticate the coin'
33. slab nuanceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the subtle, often microscopic, variations in the plastic casing, or slab, used by professional grading services like PCGS or NGC. It's not about the coin itself, but the protective holder it's sealed in. N
34. slab profileCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific visual characteristics of a coin's surface as it is housed within a professional grading slab. When a coin is graded, the encapsulating holder often provides a standardized view, and the "slab
35. slab provenanceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the documented history and chain of custody of a coin, especially when it has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, often called a slab. Provenance establishes exactly where t
36. slab rarityCoins & Currency
    This refers to the grading and encapsulation of a coin by a professional third-party service, such as PCGS or NGC. The slab is a tamper-evident holder that secures the coin and displays its certified grade, which is an o
37. slab recordCoins & Currency
    A slab record refers to a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. This process involves experts assessing the coin's authenti
38. slab returnCoins & Currency
    A slab return refers to the process where a coin, previously graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic holder, is sent back to the grading service. This usually happens if the owner is dissatisfied with the assigne
39. slab submissionCoins & Currency
    A slab submission is the process of having a coin professionally graded and encapsulated by a third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. These companies authenticate the coin's genuineness and assign it a numerica
40. slab subtletyCoins & Currency
    This term refers to the subtle, often microscopic, characteristics or imperfections visible on a coin that are noted by professional grading services when assigning a numerical grade. It goes beyond simple surface wear a
41. slab trendCoins & Currency
    This refers to the current market trajectory or perceived value movement of coins that have been professionally graded and encapsulated in protective plastic holders, known as slabs. Grading services assign a numerical s
42. slab typologyCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific grading and encapsulation standards used by professional coin grading services, such as PCGS or NGC. When a coin is "slabbed," it means it has been authenticated, graded, and sealed in a tampe
43. slab upgradeCoins & Currency
    A slab upgrade refers to the process where a coin, already encapsulated in a professional grading holder (a slab), is submitted to a grading service for re-evaluation or to have its existing grade improved. This is typic
44. slab valuationCoins & Currency
    This refers to the process of determining the monetary worth of a coin after it has been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The slab itself provides a
45. slab valueCoins & Currency
    This refers to the monetary worth of a coin after it has been professionally graded and encapsulated, typically by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The slab itself is a tamper-evident holder that secures t
46. slab verificationCoins & Currency
    This process involves having a professional third-party grading service examine and encapsulate a coin in a tamper-evident holder, often called a slab. The service verifies the coin's authenticity, assigns a numerical gr
47. slabbed assortmentCoins & Currency
    A slabbed assortment refers to a collection of coins that have been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party authentication service, such as PCGS or NGC. These coins are sealed in tamper-evident holders, wh
48. slabbed circulatedCoins & Currency
    This describes a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective holder, often referred to as a slab. The term "circulated" indicates that the coin has seen normal use and wear from circulation,
49. slabbed coinCoins & Currency
    A slabbed coin is a numismatic item that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident plastic holder by a recognized third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. This process involves experts
50. slabbed coin typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic holder by a recognized third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. The grading service assigns a numerical score re
51. slabbed collectionCoins & Currency
    A slabbed collection refers to a group of coins, banknotes, or other collectibles that have been professionally graded and sealed within protective, tamper-evident plastic holders, often called slabs. These slabs are typ
52. slabbed errorCoins & Currency
    A slabbed error refers to a coin that exhibits a minting error, such as doubled dies, off-center strikes, or metal composition flaws, and has been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party service like PCGS
53. slabbed exampleCoins & Currency
    A slabbed example refers to a coin or collectible that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab. Reputable third-party grading services, such as PCGS or NGC,
54. slabbed example coinCoins & Currency
    A coin that has been professionally encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder by a recognized third-party grading service, such as PCGS or NGC. This process involves expert evaluation of the coin's condition, assigning it
55. slabbed example noteCoins & Currency
    This refers to a banknote that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a protective plastic holder, often called a slab. Grading services assign a numerical score reflecting the note's condition, ranging from
56. slabbed groupingCoins & Currency
    A slabbed grouping refers to a collection of coins, banknotes, or other collectibles that have been professionally encapsulated in protective, tamper-evident holders, often referred to as slabs. These holders are typical
57. slabbed hoardCoins & Currency
    A slabbed hoard refers to a collection of coins that have been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a third-party grading service. These services authenticate the coins and assign a numerical grade reflecting th
58. slabbed lotCoins & Currency
    A slabbed lot refers to a group or collection of coins that have been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. These services authenticate the coins, assign a numerica
59. slabbed noteCoins & Currency
    A slabbed note refers to paper currency that has been professionally encapsulated in a tamper-evident, protective plastic holder, often provided by grading services like PMG or PCGS. This process involves experts assessi
60. slabbed note typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to a banknote that has been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party authentication service, often placed inside a protective plastic holder known as a slab. These services assess the note's con