Coin Collecting A to Z
Coin Collecting Terms - Letter
R
[A] [B] [C] [D] [E] [F] [G] [H] [I] [J] [K] [L] [M]
[N] [O] [P] [Q] [R] [S] [T] [U] [V] [W] [X] [Y] [Z]
Racketeer nickel - A gold-plated 1883 No “CENTS” Liberty Head five-cent coin (“V” nickel). Legend has it that a deaf-mute gold-plated these unfamiliar coins and would use them as legal tender. Sometimes, he was given change for a five-dollar gold piece since the V on the reverse could be interpreted as either five cents or five dollars! They have also been gold-plated since that time to sell to collectors.
Rainbow toning - Toning which is usually seen on silver dollars stored in bags. A full spectrum of colors are represented, beginning with yellow, then green, to red, to blue, and sometimes even black.
Rare - Said of a coin of which only a limited number exist in collectors' hands.
Rarity - An infrequently encountered or available item; the number of surviving specimens of a particular issue, as may be indicated by a rarity scale index.
Raw - Refers to any coin that is not encapsulated by a grading service.
Rays - Term for the lines that represent sun rays on a coin’s design.
RB - Abbreviation for red and brown or Red-Brown.
RD - Abbreviation for Red.
Real - A former basic monetary unit of Spain and Spanish colonies in the Americas.
Red - Describes a copper coin that still retains 95 percent or more of its original color. (Abbreviated as RD)
Red Book - The nickname for A Guide Book to United States Coins, a retail price guide for U.S. coins published annually since 1947.
Red-Brown - Describes a copper coin that has from 5 to 95 percent of its original mint color remaining (Abbreviated as RB).
Reeded edge - The edge of a coin with grooved lines that run vertically around its perimeter. The primary purpose of a "reeded edge" was to show any signs of shaving or other tampering with the size and weight of a coin.
Reeding - The vertical indentation around the edge of a coin.
Reeding mark - A mark or marks caused when the reeded edge of one coin scuffs or scratches the surface of another coin. Also called Milling marks.
Regular issue - A coin struck for commerce. There may be Regular and/or Proof strikes, as well as die trials of regular issues.
Regular strike - Synonym for business strike. A coin struck using conventional coin pressing methods.
Relief - The part of a coin design that is raised above its surface.
Replica - A copy, or reproduction.
Repunched date - A date with one or more of the digits punched more than once in different locations and/or orientations.
Repunched mintmark (RPM) - A mintmark punched more than once in different locations and/or orientations.
Restrike - Any coin struck after the original striking date or the date appearing on the coin.
Retoned - A coin which has been toned through any artificial means.
Reverse - The side of a coin carrying the design of lesser importance. Opposite of the obverse side.
Rib - The vein lines on the surface of a leaf.
Rim - The raised portion of a coin which protects the design from wear.
Rim ding - Synonym for a rim nick.
Rim nick - A mark or indentation on the rim of a coin.
Ring test - A test that may determine whether a coin was struck or is an electrotype or cast copy. The coin is balanced on a finger and gently tapped with a metal object. Genuine coins have a high-pitched ring or tone, while electrotypes and cast copies have little or none. It should be noted that this test is not always an accurate method for identifying electrotype or cast copy coins.
Rip - A slang term for a coin which was purchased below the market wholesale price and is easily resalable for a good profit.
Roll - A set number of coins stored in a coin wrapper. Rolls were originally paper wrappers, and today are typically plastic.
Roll friction - Minor displacement of metal, mostly on the high points, seen on coins stored in rolls.
Rolled edge - A synonym for rolled rim.
Rolled Edge Ten - Common name for a particular 1907 variety of the Indian Head eagle.
Roller marks - Parallel incuse lines found on a coin after it is struck. It is believed that roller marks are caused when the strips of metal are pulled through draw bars set at a precise distance apart to ensure the planchet blanks will be at the correct thickness.
Rolling - Flattening metal ingots to produce a long strip of proper thickness from which planchets will be cut during the minting process.
Roman finish - A scaly finish, similar to that of Satin Proofs. This was an experimental Proof surface used mostly on U.S. gold coins of 1909 and 1910.
Roman Finish Proof - Term given to designate certain U.S. proof coins made at the Philadelphia mint in 1909-1910.
Round - Synonym for a round Pan-Pac commemorative fifty-dollar coin. Also used for silver bullion coins in one ounce form.
RPM - Acronym for Repunched Mintmark.
Rub - A small amount of wear on the high points of a coin that removes it from the uncirculated category.
Rubbing - The barest trace of wear on the high points of a coin. Just a step more severe than “friction” on the scale of adjectives used to describe degrees of wear. Usually, a coin with rubbing has virtually full mint luster intact.
Rusted Dies - Dies which have been damaged (pitted) through corrosion. The "rusted" areas of a die create raised bumps on the coin during the minting process thus giving the coin a flat or dull appearance.
Coin Collecting Terms (R) to Homepage
