Reference · 108 entries
The collector's glossary.
The vocabulary of authentication, grading and certification, gathered across five disciplines. Every entry is anchorable: link directly to any term by appending #term-name to this page's URL.
Discipline
Coins
24 terms
- Bag MarksCoins
- Small nicks acquired when uncirculated coins struck each other in mint bags before release. Sheldon grading accounts for their number and location.
- CleanedCoins
- A coin whose surface has been altered by polishing, dipping or abrasive contact. Detail-graded with the designation 'Cleaned' and not given a numeric grade.
- Deep Cameo / DCAMCoins
- A proof coin with deeply frosted devices contrasting sharply against mirror fields, qualified by both sides showing the effect.
- Details GradeCoins
- A grade assigned to coins with problems (cleaning, damage, environmental damage, repairs) that prevents a clean numeric grade.
- DieCoins
- The hardened steel tool engraved with the coin design and used to strike planchets.
- Die VarietyCoins
- A coin struck from a die differing from the standard issue (doubled die, repunched mintmark, overdate). Catalogued and certified separately.
- Doubled DieCoins
- A coin struck from a die that received doubled design impressions during hubbing, producing visible doubling of devices or legends.
- EdgeCoins
- The third surface of a coin, which may be plain, reeded, lettered or ornamented. Edge condition affects grade.
- LustreCoins
- The cartwheel sheen produced by metal flow during striking. Lustre is destroyed by cleaning and is a key Mint State indicator.
- Mint StateCoins
- A coin that has never circulated and retains its original mint lustre. Abbreviated MS, graded MS-60 through MS-70 on the Sheldon scale.
- MintmarkCoins
- A small letter or symbol identifying the mint of origin (e.g. S for San Francisco, D for Denver, CC for Carson City).
- MS-65Coins
- A Mint State coin with strong lustre, sharp strike, and only minor scattered contact marks. Often the gem-quality threshold for many series.
- MS-70Coins
- A theoretically perfect Mint State coin: no post-strike imperfections visible under 5× magnification, full lustre, fully struck.
- OverdateCoins
- A coin struck from a die where the date was repunched over a previous year, leaving traces of the earlier digit visible.
- PatternCoins
- A trial piece struck to test a proposed design before adoption. Usually rare and individually catalogued.
- PlanchetCoins
- The blank metal disc on which a coin is struck. Planchet flaws (laminations, clips, splits) are mint errors recorded on the certificate.
- ProofCoins
- A coin struck twice or more on specially prepared planchets from polished dies, producing mirror fields and frosted devices. Graded PR or PF, e.g. PR-69.
- Proof-Like (PL)Coins
- A business-strike coin whose fields exhibit mirror reflectivity at two inches or greater, without being a true proof.
- ReedingCoins
- The grooves milled into a coin's edge, originally to deter clipping of precious metal.
- Sheldon ScaleCoins
- The 70-point grading scale devised by Dr. William H. Sheldon in 1949, originally to price large cents. Now the dominant scale for modern coin grading, running from 1 (Poor) to 70 (Perfect Mint State).
- Specific GravityCoins
- Density measurement used to verify the metal content of a coin without destruction. A gold sovereign measures 17.6 g/cm³ within tolerance.
- StrikeCoins
- The act of imparting design to a planchet, and the resulting sharpness of detail. A 'weak strike' shows softness in the highest design points.
- ToningCoins
- Colour change from oxidation of the coin's surface. Natural toning may add value; artificial toning is a grade-killing alteration.
- XRF AnalysisCoins
- X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy: a non-destructive method to determine the elemental composition of a metallic item. Standard tool in coin and bullion authentication.
Discipline
Bank Notes
15 terms
- AU — About UncirculatedBank Notes
- A note with minimal handling, perhaps a single light fold or counting flick, retaining most of its original crispness. Grades 50–58.
- CenteringBank Notes
- Position of the design within the cut margins of the note. Strong centering is required for high uncirculated grades.
- EmbossingBank Notes
- Raised impressions on a note's surface caused by the printing plates. Original embossing must be present for EPQ/PPQ qualification.
- EPQ / PPQBank Notes
- Exceptional Paper Quality (PMG) or Premium Paper Quality (PCGS Banknote): a designation for notes that have not been pressed, cleaned, washed or otherwise restored.
- FoxingBank Notes
- Brown spots caused by mould or oxidation of trace iron in the paper. Reduces grade and is reported on the certificate.
- Gem UncirculatedBank Notes
- A note that has never circulated, with bright original paper, sharp embossing, perfect centering and no handling marks. Typically grades 65 EPQ and above.
- NotaphilyBank Notes
- The study and collecting of paper money and bank notes, including treasury notes, polymer notes and obsolete currency.
- PinholesBank Notes
- Small holes from pin fastening, common on older European and Asian notes. Deduct from grade according to count and visibility.
- PMG ScaleBank Notes
- The 70-point note grading scale used by Paper Money Guaranty, parallel to Sheldon. Runs from 1 (Poor) to 70 (Gem Uncirculated).
- Polymer NoteBank Notes
- A bank note printed on a polypropylene substrate rather than cotton-paper, introduced widely from the 1990s. Requires separate handling protocols.
- RepairBank Notes
- Any restoration: tape, glue, paper fills, washing, pressing. A repaired note receives a qualified grade.
- SpecimenBank Notes
- A note printed for archival, reference or distribution to foreign banks, usually overprinted SPECIMEN and with serial zeros.
- StainsBank Notes
- Any discolouration not original to printing. Reported on the certificate by location and severity.
- Star NoteBank Notes
- A replacement note printed to substitute for a defective example, identified by a star in the serial number. Generally scarcer than regular issues.
- VF — Very FineBank Notes
- A note showing several folds and signs of circulation but with bright colour and no tears or pinholes. Grades 20–35.
Discipline
Stamps
17 terms
- Centering (Stamps)Stamps
- The position of the printed design within the perforations. Graded F-VF, VF, XF, Superb depending on margin balance.
- CoverStamps
- An envelope or wrapper bearing postage, with cancels and postal markings. A 'first day cover' bears the issue date.
- First Day Cover (FDC)Stamps
- A cover cancelled on the official first day of issue of the stamp(s) affixed.
- ImperforateStamps
- A stamp issued without perforations, intended to be cut apart. Often errors or specialised printings.
- Jumbo MarginsStamps
- A stamp with margins substantially wider than typical for the issue, commanding premiums over the catalogue value.
- Mint HingedStamps
- A stamp with original gum that bears the disturbance from a stamp hinge. A noticeable grade and value reduction from MNH.
- Mint Never Hinged (MNH)Stamps
- A stamp in original post-office condition with full original gum and no trace of a hinge ever having been applied.
- Original Gum (OG)Stamps
- The adhesive applied at manufacture, undisturbed by remoistening or replacement.
- Perforation GaugeStamps
- The measurement of perforations per 2 cm. Identifies issue variety and aids authentication.
- PhilatelyStamps
- The study and collecting of postage stamps, postal history and revenue stamps.
- Plate BlockStamps
- A block of stamps from the corner of a sheet showing the plate number used in printing.
- RegummedStamps
- A stamp to which gum has been re-applied after loss. Identified by gum extending over perforation tips or by chemical signatures.
- SoundStamps
- A stamp free of faults: no thins, tears, creases, stains, repairs or short perforations.
- Tête-bêcheStamps
- A pair of stamps printed so that one is inverted relative to the other. A catalogued variety.
- ThinStamps
- A loss of paper from the back of a stamp, typically from hinge removal. Reduces grade and value.
- UsedStamps
- A stamp that has been postally cancelled. Graded on cancel placement, lightness and stamp condition.
- WatermarkStamps
- A design impressed into stamp paper during manufacture. Critical for distinguishing issues that are visually identical.
Discipline
Cards
14 terms
- 10-Point ScaleCards
- The scale used by PSA, BGS, CGC and most modern trading card grading houses, running from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint), with half-grades on some scales.
- Booster BoxCards
- A sealed box of trading-card booster packs, typically 36 packs for sports or 36/30 for TCGs depending on era.
- Centering (Cards)Cards
- The position of the front design relative to the borders, expressed as a ratio (e.g. 60/40). Tighter centering yields higher grade.
- CrossoverCards
- Submission of a graded card to a different service, requesting a new holder if the new service confirms a grade at or above the original.
- ETBCards
- Elite Trainer Box (Pokémon TCG): a sealed product format containing booster packs, dice, sleeves and promo cards.
- Gem MintCards
- A card grading 10 on the 10-point scale: sharp corners, perfect centering (within 55/45), flawless edges, original gloss, no print defects visible at standard magnification.
- Pop ReportCards
- The population report: count of how many examples of a card exist at each grade level by the grading service.
- Print LinesCards
- Faint coloured lines on a card surface, typically caused by debris on press rollers. Deduct from surface grade.
- PristineCards
- A grade above Gem Mint used by some services (BGS 'Black Label', CGC Pristine 10) requiring perfect 10 subgrades across centering, corners, edges and surface.
- RefractorCards
- A card with a refractive prism overlay producing a rainbow effect, used by Topps Chrome from 1993 onward.
- Rookie Card (RC)Cards
- A player's first nationally distributed trading card, generally the most collectable card of that player's career.
- Sealed ProductCards
- Unopened cards, boxes, ETBs, packs or tins, graded in a separate non-destructive holder with weight, dimension and X-ray verification.
- SubgradesCards
- Component scores for centering, corners, edges and surface, totalled to derive the overall grade. Most prominently used by BGS.
- Wax StainCards
- Discolouration from the wax used to seal early packs. Reported on the certificate and typically caps the surface grade.
Discipline
Books
20 terms
- AntiquarianBooks
- A book of significant age or rarity, generally pre-1900 or pre-1800 by tighter definition. Subject to specialised grading and conservation standards.
- Association CopyBooks
- A copy with a documented connection to the author, dedicatee, or a significant figure relevant to the work.
- Boxed / ClamshellBooks
- Housed in a custom-made archival case. Xene supplies a museum-grade clamshell for items of significant value.
- ColophonBooks
- A statement at the end of a book recording printer, place and date of printing. Common in incunabula and fine-press books.
- Dust Jacket / DJBooks
- The detachable paper wrapper around the cloth or board binding. For modern firsts the dust jacket often represents the majority of the book's value.
- EndpapersBooks
- The papers pasted to the inside of the covers and forming the first and last leaves. Often the location of ownership inscriptions.
- First EditionBooks
- The first published form of a work. Bibliographic 'firsts' may be qualified further (first state, first issue, first printing).
- First IssueBooks
- The earliest variant within a first edition, identified by points of issue (textual corrections, binding, dust jacket details).
- Folio / Quarto / OctavoBooks
- Book sizes defined by how the printed sheet is folded: folio (1 fold, 2 leaves), quarto (4to, 4 leaves), octavo (8vo, 8 leaves). Affects scarcity and value.
- FoxingBooks
- Brown spotting in paper caused by mould activity or oxidation of trace metals. Grade-reducing; reversible only by professional conservation.
- Foxing (Light/Moderate/Heavy)Books
- Severity grades reported on the certificate: light = scattered minor spots; moderate = noticeable but not disfiguring; heavy = affecting reading or aesthetic enjoyment.
- Half-titleBooks
- A leaf preceding the main title page bearing only the book's title. Missing half-titles reduce value of certain firsts.
- HingeBooks
- The internal joint between cover board and text block. 'Cracked hinge' indicates structural weakness needing conservation.
- IncunabulumBooks
- A book printed before 1501. Catalogued in standard reference works (Goff, GW, ISTC) and certified to those references.
- JointBooks
- The external groove between cover and spine. Splits or weakness here reduce grade.
- Marbled BoardsBooks
- Bookboards covered in marbled paper, common in 18th- and 19th-century bindings.
- Provenance MarksBooks
- Bookplates, signatures, library stamps, inscriptions identifying former owners. May enhance or detract from value depending on identity.
- ReboundBooks
- A book in a binding other than the original. Catalogued by date and style of replacement binding.
- SammelbandBooks
- Multiple separately published works bound together in a single binding, often contemporaneously.
- Tipped InBooks
- A leaf, plate or signed page glued in along one edge after binding, as distinct from being sewn into a gathering.
Discipline
Process
15 terms
- Authentic OnlyProcess
- A designation for items that are genuine but cannot receive a numeric grade due to condition, damage or alteration.
- Bearer CertificateProcess
- A certificate whose benefits accrue to whoever lawfully holds it, transferable at sale without notarisation. All Xene certificates are bearer-style.
- Body BagProcess
- Historic trade term for an item returned ungraded, typically due to authenticity concerns. Xene returns such items in a sealed evidence envelope with a written explanation.
- Chain of CustodyProcess
- The documented sequence of handlers from receipt through return. Every Xene submission has a continuous chain of custody recorded against the registry entry.
- ConservedProcess
- An item professionally cleaned or stabilised before grading. Conservation is reported transparently and does not affect the numeric grade if the work is legitimate.
- Cross-CertificationProcess
- Submission of an item already graded by another firm (PCGS, NGC, PMG, PSA, BGS, RPSL) for fresh examination and Xene encapsulation. The original holder is returned.
- EncapsulationProcess
- Sealing a graded item in a tamper-evident holder. At Xene, holders are sonically welded and cannot be opened without visible damage.
- HolderProcess
- The protective case in which a graded item is sealed. The Xene holder is machined from optical-grade acrylic in Guildford, Surrey.
- NFC TagProcess
- Near-Field Communication chip embedded in every Xene holder. A smartphone tap returns the live registry entry, including stored photographs.
- Pop TopProcess
- The highest grade currently achieved by any example of a given item within the population report.
- RegistryProcess
- The public database of every item Xene has certified since 2014. Searchable by certificate number, NFC tag or QR code at xenecert.com/verify.
- ReholderingProcess
- Replacement of a holder for a previously certified item without re-grading. Used when the holder is damaged or the certificate is updated.
- RestoredProcess
- An item with materials added to replace lost original material. Always disclosed; for coins and notes typically receives a details grade.
- SlabProcess
- Colloquial term for an encapsulated, graded item. Used across all collectibles disciplines.
- Top PopProcess
- An item tied for, or sharing, the highest known grade in the population report.
Discipline
Universal
3 terms
- ObverseUniversal
- The front, or 'heads' side, of a coin, note or medal — typically bearing the principal portrait or design.
- ProvenanceUniversal
- The documented chain of ownership of an item. Strong provenance can add significantly to value and supports authentication.
- ReverseUniversal
- The back, or 'tails' side. On coins, often bearing denomination, coat of arms or secondary device.
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The glossary is maintained by our heads of department. We welcome additions and corrections from collectors, dealers and academic researchers.