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 6 of 6

1. toning varietyCoins & Currency
   This refers to subtle, natural variations in the surface color or patina of a coin that occur over time due to exposure to environmental factors like humidity, air, or soil. It is not intentional artificial toning, but r
2. trimmedCoins & Currency
   This refers to coins that have been physically altered, usually by shaving off portions of the original metal, often to increase the coin's weight or to make it fit a specific grading standard. This alteration is general
3. type varietyCoins & Currency
   This refers to subtle or significant differences in the design, minting, or composition of a coin that are not standard variations. These differences might include minor shifts in lettering, the presence or absence of a
4. uncirculatedCoins & Currency
   This grading term signifies a coin that has never been used in commerce. It retains the pristine luster and sharp details that were present when it was first minted. For collectors and resellers, the difference between u
5. uncirculated gradeCoins & Currency
   This grading designation signifies that a coin has never been used in commerce. It retains the pristine appearance of a mint-fresh specimen, exhibiting sharp details, full luster, and no signs of wear from circulation. F
6. uncirculated varietyCoins & Currency
   This refers to a specific, rare version of a coin that has never been in general circulation, but possesses a distinct variation from the standard mint issue. These variations can involve minor differences in die design,
7. under strikeCoins & Currency
   This refers to a coin where the striking process was incomplete, meaning the design or lettering is not fully impressed into the metal. Instead of a crisp, defined image, you will see areas where the metal did not fully
8. underdateCoins & Currency
   An underdate refers to a coin that bears a year of mintage that is earlier than the standard or expected year for that specific coin type. For example, if a coin is normally minted in 1950, an underdate might be marked a
9. unissuedCoins & Currency
   This refers to a coin that was officially designed, minted, or prepared for release by a government or mint but was never actually put into circulation or officially released to the public. These pieces are often prototy
10. unlistedCoins & Currency
    This term refers to a coin or collectible that is not currently listed for sale on a specific marketplace or within a particular dealer's inventory. It often means the item is held privately by a seller or is part of a p
11. varietyCoins & Currency
    A variety refers to a specific, identifiable difference in a coin's design, minting, or composition compared to the standard or most common version of that coin. These differences can range from minor variations in lette
12. variety errorCoins & Currency
    A variety error refers to a deviation from the standard minting process of a coin. These are unintentional flaws, such as doubled dies, off-center strikes, or unusual metal composition, that occur during production. For
13. variety in strikeCoins & Currency
    This refers to subtle or significant differences in how a coin was struck, even if the core design and metal composition are identical. These variations can include minor shifts in minting die alignment, slight variation
14. variety strikeCoins & Currency
    A variety strike refers to a subtle or significant difference in the minting process of a coin compared to the standard or most common version. These variations can involve slight shifts in die alignment, minor errors in
15. variety typeCoins & Currency
    This refers to a specific, identifiable difference in the design, minting, or composition of a coin that distinguishes it from the standard issue. These variations can be minor, such as a slight shift in the die alignmen
16. watermarkCoins & Currency
    A subtle design feature pressed into the metal during the coin's minting process. These markings are not part of the primary artistic design but rather an indicator of the coin's authenticity, mintage year, or specific m
17. weak strikeCoins & Currency
    A weak strike refers to a coin where the minting process did not fully impress the design details onto the metal. This can result in soft, indistinct, or partially missing features, such as blurred lettering, shallow rel
18. weightCoins & Currency
    This refers to the physical mass of the coin, usually measured in grams or ounces. For collectors and resellers, the weight is a critical factor because it directly relates to the coin's metal content and composition. Va
19. wholesale priceCoins & Currency
    This refers to the bulk purchase price of a collectible item, such as a coin, when bought directly from a supplier, dealer, or auction house in large quantities. Instead of paying the retail price, which includes the mar
20. world coinCoins & Currency
    This term refers to any coin minted outside of the collector's home country, encompassing numismatic items from various nations across the globe. For resellers and collectors, the designation "world coin" is broad, but i
21. wornCoins & Currency
    This describes a coin that exhibits signs of circulation, meaning it has been handled, rubbed, and used in commerce. Unlike uncirculated or mint state coins, a worn piece shows wear on the highest points of the design, s
22. yearCoins & Currency
    This refers to the specific calendar year the coin was minted. For collectors and resellers, the year is a primary identifier, often dictating the coin's rarity and market demand. Certain years are known to have lower mi