Numismatic vocabulary

Ag

The chemical symbol of silver
cf. Silver

Au

The chemical symbol of gold
cf. Gold

Billet

A piece of raw material rolled, cut and edged into a certain shape to mint a coin

BU

A brilliant uncirculated coin, with a matte, even surface

Bullion

An investment coin made of precious metal

Edge

The surface between the head and tail of a coin, which may be smooth, milled or grooved and which may also contain some text

Flat surface

A name used for the coin's head and tail

Gold

The first metal known to man and the oldest metal used for coins. Pure gold is relatively soft, which is why it is usually alloyed with copper and silver. The white gold alloy contains nickel or palladium

Groove

A coin's edge shaped with fine scallops

Head

cf. Obverse side

Nominal value

Currently assigned to all coins and notes to indicate their value. Previously, coin values were recognised by their size, image and the metal used

Obverse side

The side depicting the image

Proof

A pristine coin minted with a polished stamp, resulting in a crystal clear background and a matte pattern

Protective edge

The raised edge surrounding the coin's flat surfaces which is used to protect the patterns against wear and to make piling easier

Repeated mint

A reissue of old, usually withdrawn coins, made with original stamps

Reverse

The side of the coin that states its nominal value

Silver

Once the most commonly used metal in coins across the world, silver was initially used alone and later alloyed with copper, which adds to its durability

Stamp

The original stamp or mould is engraved with an image of the coin. After this, the mould is hardened by heating it red-hot and then cooling it down quickly. In the mould, the image is a negative. The mould is used to press the punch in which the pattern is positive. The punch is used to press a stamp containing the image negative. When the stamp is finally used to mint the coin, the pattern on the coin is the right way round

Stamping/Minting

A process in which billets are decorated by a stamp engraved with an image negative. Stamping turns the billet into a coin with a nominal value

Stamp ring

A tool forming the outer edge of the coin

Tail

cf. Reverse side

Tombac

In the field of coins and medals, brass is often called tombac. Tombac typically contains 85% copper and 15% zinc

UNC

UNC is an abbreviation of uncirculated, and it refers to unused circulation quality coins. Thus, UNC quality coins are ordinary, uncirculated circulation coins. UNC quality coins are manufactured in serial production with stamping machines used in the production of circulation coins.