Gold Terminology (Glossary)Investing in gold gets less complicated once you understand some of the gold terms and terminology used by those in the precious metals industry. This page is dedicated to providing you with definitions of the more commonly used terms. I will be adding to it regularly so stop back again to see what other additions have been made. ================================================================ANA (American
Numismatic Association): the largest numismatic organization for coin collectors and those
interested in learning more about money and its history AU (Almost Uncirculated): a coin that shows only a small amount of wear on the high area(s) of the coin's design avoirdupois weight system: the common weight system used in the U.S. based on a pound of 16 ounces and an ounce of 16 drams or 437.5 grains bullion coin: a coin whose value is based on the intrinsic value of the precious metal it contains commemorative coin: a coin produced to recognize/celebrate a person or event die: the metal mold that is used to produce (strike) a coin Double Eagle: a U.S. $20 dollar gold coin hallmark: the mark or imprint on a precious metal bar (or ingot) signifying the purity and maker of the piece Mint State: used to describe a coin that has never been circulated and has no wear marks. Mint states run from 60 through 70. obverse: the front of a coin, also referred to as the "heads" side NGC: Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, a leading coin grading service PCGS: Professional Coin Grading Service, one of the premier companies which grades and certifies coins planchet: the blank (or coin disk) on which the die imprints a coin's design troy weight system: the system used to weigh gold and silver based on 12 ounces to a pound and 20 pennyweights or 480 grains to an ounce |