This glossary of numismatics is a list of definitions of terms and concepts relevant to
numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects.
Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...
and
coin collecting
Coin collecting is the collecting of coins or other forms of Mint (facility), minted legal tender. Coins of interest to collectors include beautiful, rare, and historically significant pieces. Collectors may be interested, for example, in co ...
, as well as sub-fields and related disciplines, with concise explanations for the beginner or professional.
Numismatics (ancient
Greek
Greek may refer to:
Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe:
*Greeks, an ethnic group
*Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family
**Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor of all kno ...
: , meaning "monetary") is the scientific study of
money
Money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular country or socio-economic context. The primary functions which distinguish money are: m ...
and its history in all its varied forms. While
numismatists are often characterized as studying
coin
A coin is a small object, usually round and flat, used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by ...
s, the discipline also includes the study of other types of money, such as
banknotes, stock certificates,
medal
A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...
s, medallions, and
tokens (also referred to as
exonumia
Exonumia are numismatic items (such as tokens, medals, or scrip) other than coins and paper money. This includes "Good For" tokens, badges, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, wooden nickels and o ...
).
Sub-fields and related fields of numismatics include:
*
Exonumia
Exonumia are numismatic items (such as tokens, medals, or scrip) other than coins and paper money. This includes "Good For" tokens, badges, counterstamped coins, elongated coins, encased coins, souvenir medallions, tags, wooden nickels and o ...
, the study of
coin
A coin is a small object, usually round and flat, used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by ...
-like objects such as
token coin
In numismatics, token coins or trade tokens are coin-like objects used instead of coins. The field of token coins is part of exonumia and token coins are token money. Their denomination is shown or implied by size, color or shape. They are of ...
s and
medal
A medal or medallion is a small portable artistic object, a thin disc, normally of metal, carrying a design, usually on both sides. They typically have a commemorative purpose of some kind, and many are presented as awards. They may be in ...
s, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration.
*
Notaphily
Notaphily is the study and collection of paper currency, and banknotes. A notaphilist is a collector of banknotes or paper money, particularly as a hobby.
History
It is believed that people have been collecting paper money for as long as it has ...
, the study of paper
money
Money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular country or socio-economic context. The primary functions which distinguish money are: m ...
or
banknote
A banknote or bank notealso called a bill (North American English) or simply a noteis a type of paper money that is made and distributed ("issued") by a bank of issue, payable to the bearer on demand. Banknotes were originally issued by commerc ...
s.
*
Philately, the study of
postage stamps
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper issued by a post office, postal administration, or other authorized vendors to customers who pay postage (the cost involved in moving, insuring, or registering mail). Then the stamp is affixed to the ...
.
*
Scripophily, the study and collection of company share certificates and
bonds.
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See also
References
Bibliography
Coin World Glossary(7 April 2007)
Dictionary.com* ''
A Guide Book of United States Coins'' by
R.S. Yeoman
* ''2005 Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money''
"Numismatic Terms and Methods" from the American Numismatic Society(archived 19 February 2007)
* ''The Complete Illustrated Guide to Coins & Coin Collecting'' by Dr. James Mackay, .
{{DEFAULTSORT:Glossary Of Numismatics
Numismatics
Numismatics is the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects.
Specialists, known as numismatists, are often characterized as students or collectors of coins, but the discipline also inclu ...
Numismatics
Wikipedia glossaries using description lists