Articles

Let's explore another definition from our collector's glossary. Today, we turn our attention to the 'Wolsey'. Cardinal Wolsey had a mint at York from 1514-1526 and struck coins with his initials `T. W.' on them. next...

Numismatic Term of the Week: "Off-Metal Strike" In the world of coin collecting, some of the most fascinating pieces are the ones that shouldn't exist at all. This week, we are looking at a classic term every collector should know: the Off-Metal Strike. next...

This week, we are diving into our numismatic glossary to highlight the true master craftsmen of the mint: the "Engraver." The person who actually cuts the dies from which coins or medallions will be struck. He engraves into the metal. next...

Today, we're diving into the intriguing world of 'Weak Strike' for our weekly glossary. When not enough pressure is used to strike the coin, the design will appear to be weak and an uncirculated coin will look like a used example. next...

We turn our attention to another term in the field of numismatics this week, known as the "Harp Strings". In the reign of Charles II and some other reigns the number of harp strings on the reverse varied, possibly to indicate which dies were being used. next...

This week, we are exploring a fascinating term in numismatics: the "Snick". This refers to a small incision or cut made into the edge of a hammered coin to verify its metal content. Most famously mandated by King Henry I, these official test cuts proved the coin was solid silver all the way through without actually removing any metal—reassuring a sceptical public while preserving the coin's full weight. next...

We're back with another term from the world of numismatics, this time we're diving into the definition of "Grain". A weight where one grain equals 0.064799 grams. next...

This week's numismatic term is "Petition Crown". Thomas Simon submitted the design for a crown to Charles II in 1663. The workmanship was excellent and Simon managed to get two lines of text on the edge of the coin. next...

We are back with another numismatic definition: Mint Sport. A coin struck illicitly but from genuine dies to produce an error or novelty of some kind. next...

Another week, another numismatic term for you, this time it is 'Early Striking'. When a new pair of dies is first used they are heavily polished and thus the first few coins struck will have a prooflike appearance. next...