Collector & Reseller Glossary

What the jargon actually means — and what it does to resale value. 3,212 terms across 12 categories.

322 terms in Coins & Currency · page 5 of 6

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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,
5. 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,
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
10. 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'
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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
14. 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
15. 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'
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. 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
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
24. 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
25. 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
26. 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
27. 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
28. 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
29. 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
30. 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
31. 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,
32. 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
33. 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
34. 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
35. 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
36. 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,
37. 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
38. 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
39. 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
40. 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
41. 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
42. 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
43. 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
44. slabbed paperCoins & Currency
    This refers to paper currency that has been professionally encapsulated in a protective, tamper-evident holder, often referred to as a slab. Grading services like PCGS or PMG will assign a numerical grade to the note, in
45. slabbed paper typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to paper currency that has been professionally encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a third-party grading service. These services authenticate the note's genuineness, assess its condition (e.g., Uncirculated, Extre
46. slabbed proofCoins & Currency
    This refers to a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder, often called a slab. The term "proof" indicates that the coin was struck using special dies and processes designed to
47. slabbed rollCoins & Currency
    A slabbed roll refers to a set of coins, typically from a specific year or series, that have been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The coins are sealed within a tam
48. slabbed selectionCoins & Currency
    This refers to a curated group of coins that have been professionally encapsulated or graded by a third-party authentication service, such as PCGS or NGC. The term "selection" implies that these coins have been chosen by
49. slabbed setCoins & Currency
    A slabbed set refers to a collection of coins, banknotes, or other collectibles that have been professionally graded and sealed within a tamper-evident plastic holder, often called a slab. Reputable third-party grading s
50. slabbed singlesCoins & Currency
    These are individual coins that have been professionally encapsulated in a protective plastic holder, often referred to as a slab, by a recognized grading service like PCGS or NGC. The grading service assesses the coin's
51. slabbed uncirculatedCoins & Currency
    This refers to a coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder, typically by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The "slabbed" aspect signifies that an expert
52. slabbed varietyCoins & Currency
    This refers to a specific coin that has been professionally graded and encapsulated, or "slabbed," by a recognized third-party grading service like PCGS or NGC. The term "variety" indicates that the coin possesses a spec
53. spreadCoins & Currency
    The difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for a specific coin. This gap is the profit margin for dealers and resellers. A wider spread indicates
54. star noteCoins & Currency
    This term generally refers to a specific type of banknote, often one featuring a prominent star motif or design element. In the world of numismatics, the exact meaning can vary depending on the country and the specific s
55. strikeCoins & Currency
    The strike refers to the impression made on a coin during the minting process. It is the physical design, including the portrait, inscriptions, and any decorative elements, that is transferred from the die onto the metal
56. strike dateCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific date inscribed on a coin during the minting process. It is a crucial piece of identifying information, much like a serial number, that tells collectors exactly when the coin was produced. For
57. strike errorCoins & Currency
    A strike error refers to any imperfection or anomaly that occurs during the minting process of a coin. This can include doubled dies, off-center strikes, weak strikes, or unusual metal flow patterns. These errors are not
58. strike variationCoins & Currency
    A strike variation refers to subtle or noticeable differences in how a coin was struck during the minting process. These variations can involve slight shifts in the die alignment, uneven metal flow, or minor imperfection
59. striking errorCoins & Currency
    A striking error occurs when the coin is not struck perfectly by the die, resulting in flaws such as weak strikes, off-center strikes, or doubled dies. These imperfections are inherent to the minting process and can sign
60. test strikeCoins & Currency
    A test strike refers to an early, often uncirculated, proof or mint sample coin that was struck during the die creation process before the final, official production run. These coins are not intended for public sale and