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General Numismatic Information
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Different Types of Collectable Coins
Old Coins:
Any coins that are no longer in circulation
Error coins:
Any coin with a flaw which distinguishes it from the normal. These are often extremely rare and carry a high price tag.
Proof coins:
Specially minted for collectors. They have immaculate design and finish made to the highest quality.
Brilliant Uncirculated coins:
Coins with a fine mint appearance and lustre and uncirculated. Slightly lower in definition to a proof coin.
Commemorative coins:
Issued to mark a special event or tribute to an important person.
Bullion coins:
Coins crafted from precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver.
Ancient coins:
Exceptional pieces of history, often handmade, which can date back to Roman or Greek times or earlier
Circulating coins:
The coins in general circulation for daily use.
World coins:
Any coin which is from a country which is outside New Zealand.
Any coins that are no longer in circulation
Error coins:
Any coin with a flaw which distinguishes it from the normal. These are often extremely rare and carry a high price tag.
Proof coins:
Specially minted for collectors. They have immaculate design and finish made to the highest quality.
Brilliant Uncirculated coins:
Coins with a fine mint appearance and lustre and uncirculated. Slightly lower in definition to a proof coin.
Commemorative coins:
Issued to mark a special event or tribute to an important person.
Bullion coins:
Coins crafted from precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver.
Ancient coins:
Exceptional pieces of history, often handmade, which can date back to Roman or Greek times or earlier
Circulating coins:
The coins in general circulation for daily use.
World coins:
Any coin which is from a country which is outside New Zealand.
Parts of a Coin
The OBVERSE is the top or heads side of a coin. Usually the side with the coin’s date and portrait design. Typically the obverse side contains:
The REVERSE is the back or tails side of a coins. Typically the reverse contains:
The Rim: The raised edge on both sides that runs completely around a coin. The design helps protect a coin’s design from wear, and makes coins easier to stack.
The Edge: Often called the “third side” of a coin, the edge is the very outer border of a coin. Edges can be lettered, like the new U.S. Presidential $1 coins, plain, reeded, or decorated.
- Portrait: Generally, the main part of a coin’s design. Common portraits include presidents, kings, queens, and Liberty.
- Date: Indicates the year a coin was minted or first issued.
- Legend: The main letters, often referred to the coin’s inscription.
- Motto: Coin lettering or inscriptions like “In God We Trust,” and “Liberty.”
- Field: The flat area of a coin’s surface that is not raised and doesn’t have any design or inscription.
The REVERSE is the back or tails side of a coins. Typically the reverse contains:
- Relief: The part of a coin’s design that is raised above the surface.
- Designers Initials: The initials of the person who designed the coin.
- Mint Mark: The always small letter or symbol on a coin that indicates where a coin was minted. In the U.S. for example the common mint marks include Philadelphia “P”, Denver “D”, San Francisco “S”.
- Motto: Coin lettering or inscriptions like “In God We Trust,” “E Pluribus Unum,” and “Liberty.”
- Legend: The main letters, often referred to the coin’s inscription.
- Field: The flat area of a coin’s surface that is not raised and doesn’t have any design or inscription.
The Rim: The raised edge on both sides that runs completely around a coin. The design helps protect a coin’s design from wear, and makes coins easier to stack.
The Edge: Often called the “third side” of a coin, the edge is the very outer border of a coin. Edges can be lettered, like the new U.S. Presidential $1 coins, plain, reeded, or decorated.