Can You Name the Parts of a Coin?
Saturday May 9, 2009
In order to be able to communicate clearly with other coin collectors, (and to avoid sounding clueless to coin dealers), you need to be able to describe a coin in the language of numismatics. Coin collecting has its own particular technical language, and many newcomers are surprised at how many separate parts there are to the typical coin. For example, did you know that some coins have a cameo? This illustrated tutorial will teach you the basics about how to describe a coin.
Comments
Susan,
Great info, thinks I personally never thought about regarding a coin description. Thank you.
Liked this very much, I will cut/paste and use for my presentation to Scout troops to encourage their completing the Coin Collecting Merit Badge.
Nice tutorial. One quibble. You state that all US coins, circulating and proof, have a rim. This is currently true, but has not always been. The Indian head $2 1/2 and $5 gold pieces had no rim.
I’m surprised you left off mention of lettered edging. Less so that you left out denticles, as current US coins don’t have them.
Curiously i looked at a 2 -1/2 dollar indian gold coin. Some of the letters are off the blank, where the rim would be. On rimed coins that migh be considerd an error. If theres no rim. Is it still an error?
coiny