PART THREE - ABBREVIATIONS and Terminology
Collecting coins can be a fascinating hobby, but it can also be quite complex, with a variety of different terms, acronyms, abbreviations and terminology to understand. Lets take a closer look at some of the most common coin collecting abbreviations and what they mean.
KM - This abbreviation stands for "Krause-Mishler," and it is a cataloguing system used by international numismatists to identify and track the mintage figures and other details of world coins. The KM catalogue is widely used by coin collectors and dealers, and is often referred to as the "bible" of world coin collecting. The catalogue contains a large amount of information about the coins, including their mintage figures, the year they were minted, the mint that produced them, and the metal they are made of. The catalogue also includes information about the designers, engravers, and other people involved in the production of the coin. The KM catalogue is a valuable resource for coin collectors, as it provides a wealth of information that can help them identify and value their coins.
HERNS - a reference book that is published by Brian Hern, a numismatist, coin dealer and author. The book provides detailed information on South African coins and patterns, including mintage figures, mintages, specifications, and historical background. It covers South African coins from the first circulation coins to the present and also covers patterns, which are trial or experimental pieces that were struck by a mint but not intended for circulation. The book is considered a valuable resource for collectors, dealers, and researchers interested in South African coinage. THIS IS A MUST HAVE !
Face Value – If it’s a 50c then that is what it is worth 50c = Face Value
Filler - A coin that is very worn and/or damaged, but may still be included in a collection to fill up or to make a complete set.
Obverse (Front) mostly in coins this will be the side with the face on, Think heads... (not always) OBV.
Reverse (Back) mostly the side with the “other” things on, Think Tails (not always) REV.
Error Coins – Just that , some kind of misstrike error happened on the coins , note this also happens to notes ! – This is a discipline on its own and can be a specific area of interest. We will discuss this in a later post...
AU - This abbreviation stands for "Almost Uncirculated" and is a coin grading term used to describe a coin that has only slight wear on the highest points of the design. Coins that have been graded AU are considered to be in excellent condition and can be quite valuable to collectors. Coins that are graded as AU will have only a small amount of wear on the highest points of the coin, such as the hair on a portrait or the legs of an animal. They will be free from any major scratches or scuffs, and the overall design will be well-defined. Coins that are graded as AU are highly sought after by collectors and can command a premium price.
MS - This abbreviation stands for "Mint State" and is a coin grading term used to describe a coin that is in the same condition as when it was minted, with no signs of wear or damage. Coins that have been graded MS are considered to be in perfect condition and can be quite valuable to collectors. Coins that are graded as MS will have no signs of wear or damage, and the overall design will be crisp and clear. Coins that are graded as MS are considered to be the ultimate goal for many coin collectors and can command a high price.
PR - This abbreviation stands for "Proof" and is a coin grading term used to describe a coin that has been struck with special dies and planchets to create a mirror-like finish on the coin. Proof coins are considered to be of the highest quality and can be quite valuable to collectors. Proof coins are struck with special dies and planchets, which give them a mirror-like finish and a sharp, detailed design. They are usually produced in limited quantities and are highly sought after by collectors. Proof coins are considered to be the ultimate goal for many coin collectors and can command a high
VF - Very Fine: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has moderate wear on the highest points of the design, but the overall design is still well-defined.
XF - Extremely Fine: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has only light wear on the highest points of the design, and the overall design is still very well-defined.
UNC - Uncirculated: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has not been circulated and has no signs of wear or damage.
EF - Extra Fine: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has a small amount of wear on the highest points of the design, but the overall design is still very well-defined.
BU - Brilliant Uncirculated: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has not been circulated and has no signs of wear or damage. The coin will also have a good luster and a crisp design.
PF - Proof: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has been struck with special dies and planchets to create a mirror-like finish on the coin.
G - Good: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has a lot of wear and damage, and the overall design is not well-defined.
AG - About Good: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has a lot of wear and damage, and the overall design is barely visible.
F - Fine: A coin grading term used to describe a coin that has moderate wear and the overall design is still visible but not well-defined.
P, D, S, W - These are acronyms used to indicate the Mint where the coin was struck, P for Philadelphia, D for Denver, S for San Francisco, and W for West Point.(Specific to the USA)
To get an exhaustive list of Abbreviations and Terminology, please spend time reading this Wikipedia page ! It is almost like homework, you HAVE TO UNDERSTAND or have an inkling when people use some of these abbreviations or terms ....
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_numismatics
Here is a short snippet from the Wikipedia post ...
B
bag mark
Also called a contact mark.
A surface mark, or nick, on a coin, usually from contact with other coins in a mint bag.[1] More often seen on large gold or silver coins. banker's mark - A small counter mark applied to a coin by a bank or a trader, indicating that they consider the coin to be genuine and of legal weight. Most often found on ancient and medieval coins, but also on silver coins which circulated in China and Japan, where they are referred to as chop marks.
base metal - Any non-precious metal or alloy that does not contain gold or silver. Common base metals used in coinage include nickel and copper. beading - A raised dot border along the rim of a coin. billion - A low-grade alloy of gold or silver (these days there are even titanium and platinum) with a high percentage of another metal, usually copper. Billion is often produced in response to a sudden debasing of circulating silver coinage due to hyperinflation. bi-metallic - A coin with one type of metal in the centre with an outer ring of a different metal. Examples are the 1 and 2 Euro coins and the Canadian "toonie" two-dollar coin.
blank - Also called a planchet or flan.
1. A prepared disk of metal on which the design for a coin will be stamped. 2. The un-struck or flat side of an uniface coin or medal.
brass - A copper-based alloy with zinc.
brockage - Originally referring to metal wasted in coin production, now means coins struck when the previous coin remains stuck to a die, creating an incuse impression in the next struck coin (primarily found in ancient coins). So go to the Wikipedia page to see the rest of must-know abbreviations and terminology used in coin collecting. Below are some of my Affiliate links to Amazon that might help you to get the items you need to be successful in coin collecting ...
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On this post, I just covered a few examples of the many abbreviations and terms that are used in the world of coin collecting. It's important for any collector to familiarize themselves with these terms, as they will be essential when it comes to evaluating and understanding the value of their coins.