to coin a phrase

[Guest Guest]

Is there some kind of coin collector's jargon for specific parts and features on a coin? For example, is there a correct term for the little rim that runs around the edge of a coin? And is there a concise way to describe a coin that, say, has a bumpy edge with different colours displayed, like a U.S. quarter dollar (sorry, I don't know of a British example)? And does anybody out there know what you call a shape that has twelve sides, like the British three pence coin? I'm afraid "octagon" is the highest I can count in geometry !

[Chris Perkins]

Yes there are plenty of coin collectors phrases to describe different parts of the coin, and most of them are in my Numismatic dictionary, here:

http://www.predecimal.com/dictionary.htm

Just to start you off:

The grooved edge is called a milled edge although it's quite possible the 'American' name is different because American coin collectors annoyingly use different terms! (Yes thought so, just looked in a book, it's called 'Grained' in American!)

The reason the USA Quarters have different colours shown on the edge is beacause they are made from a copper core plated in nickel. The British 2 pence from 1992 - 1998 was acually copper plated steel but the edge was also copper plated so you couldn't see the metal underneath (and to stop the steel rusting). I don't know of any other contries that leave the core visible. Personally I think it looks cheap!

For those of you that are not aware, the British Threepence coin was made of Brass from 1937 - 1967 and did indeed have 12 sides. In fact there are also varieties with sharp corners or rounded corners but the basic 12 sided shape is called a Dodecagon but I expect it's different in American!!

Chris Perkins

www.predecimal.com