Numismatics Coin FAQ

A collecting-focused glossary for coin terms, minting vocabulary, and evaluation basics.

A mint mark is a small letter or symbol on a coin identifying where it was produced. It can strongly affect rarity and value when certain …

Numismatic value is the collectible market value of a coin, influenced by rarity, demand, condition, eye appeal, provenance, and series …

A strike-through error occurs when debris (grease, cloth, wire, or other material) is between the die and planchet, leaving an impressed or …

An altered coin is genuine but modified to appear rarer-such as added mint marks, changed dates, removed damage, or artificial …

Uncirculated describes a coin with no wear from circulation. It may still have marks from handling or storage, but its original luster …

Numismatics is the study and collecting of coins, paper money, tokens, and related objects, blending history, art, metallurgy, economics, …

Rarity describes how scarce a coin is in the market, considering how many were made and how many survive in collectible condition. It helps …

A counterfeit is a fake coin made to deceive. Counterfeits can be cast, struck, or altered from genuine coins, and they range from crude to …

Reeding refers to the series of grooves on a coin’s edge. Historically it helped deter clipping of precious metal coins and today …

A registry set is a curated collection assembled and ranked through a grading service’s registry program, where collectors compete for …