Coin Collecting Vocabulary

In coin collecting, it is important to know the terminology. A common term used by collectors is ‘assembly.’ An assembly of coins is called a monetary hoard, while ‘assembly’ is used for a collection of ungraded coins. There are many special terms for parts of a coin, and understanding them will help you communicate your hobby with other people around the world.

In coin collecting, you may come across the term ‘assayer’. An assayer tests coins for purity, and a mint’s assayer makes sure the coins are ‘uncirculated’. A modern coin collector will use the term ‘uncirculated’ to describe these pieces. A worn or damaged piece will not be as valuable as an uncirculated example, and you can often find examples in White Metal.

A ‘coin’ can be made of any metal. The metal reacts with the environment, and it changes its surface quality over time. In addition, some coins are scrip, which are tokens from coal mines. In the world of coin collecting, scripophily is the study of financial documents, such as notes and bonds. Some collectors are scripophiles, devoted to acquiring as many coins as they can.

A ‘coin’ is a piece of metal that is issued under a government authority. A ‘coin’ is used for commerce. In the United States, a coin is a legal tender and has no intrinsic value. The term ‘coin’ is a general term that applies to any piece of metal. The definition of a coin, however, is different. A ‘coin’ is a legitimate item that has a standard value, and a ‘coin’ is a piece that has passed this test.