13.03.2008
The state, a monopolist in the production of cash, protects both this process and its participants with a veil of secrecy. Even photographs are classified in Russia: illustrations for the article were provided to us by the Royal Australian Mint. And yet, we managed to look at the Moscow Mint not from the main entrance - we talked with its former and current employees about what was happening behind the secret walls of the money factory. It turned out that the people who make specie are no less interesting than their work. The minters and their lives Where do they train coin minters? Mostly at the “coin factory” itself: young people are taken as apprentices here, often without special education. It is important here that the student gets to a good master who will quickly put him to work. According to the story of one experienced coiner, his master once gave him the following first lesson: “Remember once and for all: for you, everything you see here is not gold and silver, but coppers with iron. Work with them without any fear. But keep in mind that if the quality suffers, then your work will not pass the inspection.” At that time, the minting of collectible coins in our country was just gaining momentum: the first large series of the highest quality “proof”, dedicated to the 1980 Olympics, appeared in the second half of the 1970s. It was largely experimental work. At that time, the USSR had no experience in minting coins with a perfect mirror surface, so at first even the production rate was 5 coins per person per shift. Now there are about 500–600 pieces: the technology has come a long way. This is not as much as it seems if you work with skill and care, and 500 coins per shift is enough time. It turns out even more, although there are smoke breaks and breaks. “True, I didn’t like to take time off from work,” says the embosser, “because after that I need to put the press back into working condition. During operation, the stamp heats up and dust sticks to it, although the room is cleaned three times a day. We need to wipe all working surfaces with gasoline and check that everything is set up correctly.” Despite the secrecy of coin production, there are not many internal barriers between different workshops. The same person can at different times be engaged in minting medals, smelting an alloy, or even producing badges (coins, medals and badges are the three main areas of work of mints). It all depends on the person: if he is negligent in his work and allows marriage, he will not be sent to a responsible position, which, of course, is better paid. By the way, by Soviet standards, the work of a coiner was highly paid, and it remains highly paid today (according to the workers themselves). Thus, a high-category minter receives from 20-25 thousand rubles per month, and the remuneration directly depends on the fulfillment and exceeding of the plan. The highest earnings come from craftsmen who make proof coins. And the coin minter alone serves 2-3 presses, and his participation in the process is minimal. In this case, the high salary is primarily justified by secrecy. Even craftsmen who work with precious metals are strictly prohibited from entering the workshops where current coins are produced. It is curious that few people are kicked out of the factory for unsuitability, but many leave on their own if they cannot find themselves in some kind of work. “Even slobs are needed,” says one of the former masters of the mint. “There is a lot of work, sometimes skill is required, sometimes accuracy, and sometimes just physical strength. For example, in metal rolling, all the work is running around, carrying ingots back and forth. Imagine a meter-long ingot of silver that comes out from under the rollers: it weighs about 40 kg. If this kind of work suits you, please move the bars, but the salary here is appropriate. It also happens that a person is simply not able to do something, so he himself is not able to work well, and after him the equipment needs to be set up for one and a half to two hours. What is two hours: during this time I can mint 3,000 small change coins.” Temptation to make money Mint specialists are not in demand anywhere else for their direct specialty. Even if you know the processes of stamping and minting perfectly, in other industries they are built completely differently. The only way to apply such skills is at home, which often happens. They tell about a master who, back in Soviet times, stamped rubles for himself at home and drank them away. Some minted at home and sold the medals they made at work. However, for all this you need to be able to draw, engrave, and mint, and such skills are rarely found in one person. Over time, such pranks became much more difficult due to lack of material. Once upon a time, waste from coin production was not particularly protected or stored, but if there was something lying around, then why not take it? Now this has become much stricter. In addition, coin technology is too complex. The core of the coin is made of copper, and the top is clad with a stainless alloy. All this is just to protect against counterfeits: a real coin has a pink stripe along the edge, a fake one does not. In addition, a magnet will not pick up a genuine coin. But the main protection lies in the cost, which, for example, for a ruble coin is about 12 rubles. It's not clear why they would fake it. So monetaries usually use their skills for harmless purposes. For example, one day one of our interlocutors’ new TV broke down: “I understand this, I want to watch it, but I can’t, there’s a factory seal. Well, I cut it down, and then made the same one.” Control is appropriate The security regime at the mint is a special story. Of course, they don’t conduct searches, but they check – that’s not the right word. When you come to work, you need to strip naked at your locker, go to another room and put on work clothes there. The same thing is repeated after the end of the shift. These strippings became such a habit that one day someone came to the workshop naked, wearing only slippers: he started talking to someone on the way. There are metal detectors at the entrance and exit that sense precious metals; you can’t get through even with glasses. There is nothing to say about mobile phones: only management is allowed to carry them, but the device must not have a camera. But the rules here are still softer than, say, at Goznak. There, every potential employee is tested for moral strength; all tests last about 3 months. Such severity is understandable. One master says: “I was in Goznak and one day I saw a production room through a slightly open door. I see a conveyor belt along which stacks of hundred-ruble bills are crawling. I felt bad - I just went crazy, and two women took me out. Like, if you can’t watch, don’t watch.” Of course, at the Mint they read and continue to give lectures about the “culture of behavior of the Soviet man,” and at Goznak they also instill that banknotes are paper, let it be paper for you too. But still, this spectacle is not for the faint of heart. At first glance, it is easier to carry away a large bill than to collect a thousand rubles in coins. But in the container into which ruble coins are poured after minting, 380 thousand pieces are placed, and in a five-ruble container the amount is even greater. In one sealed bag, which is taken to the Central Bank, there are five ruble bills worth 2,000 rubles. So the temptation remains, although the last time the thief was caught was a long time ago. This is how a witness to that story tells about it: “Somewhere in the early 90s, one friend was working on an electric forklift and in some incomprehensible way brought out a bag of ten-kopeck coins. I brought it home and placed it near the trash can. And so his wife collected two or three rubles and went with them to Sberbank to exchange them for pieces of paper. She was noticed: she brings all the coins of the same year, clean, just released. We came to the thief with a dog and immediately found the money. Naturally, he was immediately kicked out of the factory. But after 5 years for some reason they took it back.” Annealing, tapping, proof The coin production technology itself cannot be called too secret. In any case, it is easy to list all the stages, from the creation of the alloy to the release of the finished coin from the press. However, without knowledge of the intricacies of metal behavior and tool preparation, you can only ruin the material. It is from such secrets that the mastery of minters is formed. “I think there is nothing particularly surprising here for a knowledgeable person,” says one of them. “The only valuable thing is the technology for making stamps, and the bottleneck is their heat treatment. A slight deviation in technology or quality of material – and the tool cracks, breaks and slips.” All mint equipment is imported. Proof is minted on already quite old, mid-1970s, English presses “Coin Master”, German “Grabiner”, etc. Russia and the USSR never produced their own minting equipment, and before 1990 there were many that were completely antediluvian cars “For example, back in the 80s I found a captured German grinding machine at work,” says the embosser. “Then they wrote it off as scrap and regretted it: it is unpretentious, simple, and accurate. And our machines in front of him are just wrecks. There was also a press, also a trophy one, with a swastika on the pedal and a huge vertical wheel with a diameter of 2.5 m, with which coins were minted. So he had the best productivity until they installed “sharpies” (machines from the German company “Schuler”). And old cars are dismantled down to the screw - and sent to the “Red Proletary”, to be melted down.” It may seem strange, but the mint does not have its own designers or medalists: all projects come in approved form from the Central Bank. The sketch is finalized and then embodied in metal: the drawing is put into a laser scanner, and it cuts out a “draft” of the future coin, which then serves as a sample for making stamps. At the same time, the working alloy is prepared, which is especially difficult when it comes to precious metals from which investment and collectible coins are created. The main task here is to achieve the necessary cleanliness. For example, 900-carat gold is usually used for gold coins, and it comes to the mint in 40-kilogram bank bars with a purity of 99.9%. Technologists calculate how much the final coin should contain, for example, silver (the most popular metal for coin production), how much copper and special additives - alloys. Then the alloy is prepared in low-frequency electric furnaces, set so that the silver does not burn out. At the same time, special granules are melted and sent to the laboratory to determine the metal sample. If you need the 925th sample, then a deviation of 0.7 units is permissible, from 924.3 to 925.7 samples. The metal is then melted into an ingot about a meter long and weighing 100 kg. It is planed on a machine, then rolled - all in order to achieve the purity of the material. Then it is rolled into a sheet from which coin blanks are cut out. They are annealed in special furnaces - heated to high temperatures and then cooled. This process makes the metal more ductile, which is especially important for silver, which begins to crumble after rolling. The edge, the edge of the coin, is made on the blanks. After this, they are sent for tapping (that is, polishing). Precious metals are polished using diamond paste, and coins are polished with a mixture of ceramic sand, tiny metal balls and special chemicals. Then the surface is wiped clean with alcohol, and a “mirror” is obtained. Finally, the blank is sent to the press, where embossing takes place. Stamp on the mirror As already mentioned, change coins are minted by “sharpies”, whose speed is 760 steps per minute. It is impossible to follow the turning circle of such a press; everything merges before your eyes. Another thing is precious coins, which are minted one piece at a time, by hand. “The main enemy of clean coinage is dust,” says the master. “You can imagine - the pressure of the press is 50 tons, and any tiny speck of dust that is simply not visible is imprinted on the mirror of the coin like a thread.” The blank is laid out on the lower stamp, then the press lowers the upper stamp onto the coin. The lower stamp is also movable - during operation it is lowered into a special ring, due to which the coin receives the correct round shape. If there is even a slight displacement of the stamp, or its surface is contaminated, the coin can be melted down. The most difficult thing in coining, according to the masters, is the precise adjustment of the press. Sometimes you can’t see it, but the top stamp has moved, and the images on the obverse and reverse have shifted. The most capricious material is gold. At 900, it is very hard, tools crack when working with it and quickly become unusable, for example, stamps crack. You need to carefully monitor this so as not to spoil the workpiece. But gold of the highest standard is also a very capricious material due to its softness. And the most disgusting work is the 785 gold medals, on which you also do deep engraving. Some medals are handmade, like coins, while others are minted by machine. In such cases, you can work less carefully - for example, you can place the workpiece on the press with your fingers. And proof blanks are taken only with tweezers, and if you need to correct the stamp, you also use tweezers. “The most painstaking work is on collectible coins, which are ordered in small quantities and undergo the strictest quality control control,” says the minter. “For example, polishing the mirror surface of a coin is difficult because the engraving cannot be damaged. It’s all about accuracy, attentiveness and experience. But modern coins are still not valued very highly. Many can only be sold for the price of the material, as scrap. And those who buy such coins in banks are either collectors or investors. The first time such investors appeared was under Lenin, when someone decided to mint gold chervonets, so to speak, to benefit the people. Someone hid them in a chest, and someone got rid of them for the price of the metal - much more than the face value of 10 rubles.”
Precious metals are being watched especially closely. No loss is allowed, except during melting. If you are a minter, then you are responsible for coins individually: you took 500 blanks and returned 500 coins. And if we are talking about cutting blanks from a metal sheet, then you take the material by weight and also report by weight. “You come and they tell you: 0.5 grams are missing, go and collect. You have to use your finger to pick up the crumbs that fall off when cutting out the workpiece, and spread a towel so that nothing gets lost,” says a mint worker.
It must be said that in the USSR collectible coins of different quality were issued - “proof” with a mirror surface and matte “uncirculated”. This is how, for example, coins were made in honor of the Moscow Olympics. But now only the highest quality is in demand, and any waste is recycled. And there can be many reasons for its appearance, including a bad mood. It happens that the master does not like the coin that he was assigned to mint, and it does not come out. And when he is assigned another task, everything works out.
Fedor Bogdanovsky
OBVERSE- the front side of the coin (medal). The obverse is the side of the coin that depicts the portrait of the emperor or other person to whom the issue of the coin is dedicated. In the absence of a portrait, the obverse is the side of the coin that depicts the state emblem, the emperor’s monogram, or the designation of the coin’s nationality.
ALTYN- a silver coin of three kopecks.
ASSIGNMENTS- paper banknotes issued in Russia from 1769 to 1843 to replace large sums of copper coins in circulation.
AFFINAGE- technological process of separating precious metals from impurities and from each other.
BANK COIN- the name of high-grade silver coins in denominations of 1 1/2 rubles, rubles, 3/4 rubles, 50 and 25 kopecks, found in a number of government documents of the 18th-20th centuries. In some periods, 25-kopeck coins were classified as change coins.
BILLON- an inferior small change coin minted from low-grade silver. Also called low-grade silver, which was used to mint these coins.
BONKS- temporary metal or paper (sometimes from other materials) banknotes of optional circulation, issued by local authorities, institutions, organizations and individuals for their own needs. All paper banknotes that are out of circulation are also called bonds.
MONOGRAM- a graphic representation of the name or title of the emperor or other person to whom the issue of the coin (medal) is dedicated.
HRYVNA, HRYVENNIK- a silver coin of 10 kopecks. Name "HRYVNA" found on coins before 1727, "DIME"- until 1796.
GURT- side surface of a coin (medal). The inscriptions, patterns and other design elements that form the edge are called edge, and the tools and equipment with which they are applied are called edge.
DENGA (until 1796 - DENGA, since 1849 - DENEZHKA)- a copper coin in denomination of 1/2 kopeck, minted from 1700 to 1828 and from 1849 to 1867. Before the reform of Peter I, small quantities were minted in silver.
DONATIVE (GIFT) COINS- “coins” minted not for release into circulation, but for distribution by members of the imperial family to various individuals as an incentive or in connection with some event.
IMPERIAL- a gold coin of 10 rubles, minted from 1755 to 1897, as well as a 15-ruble gold coin of 1897, minted after the reform of the Council of Justice. Witte with the introduction of gold monometallism in Russia.
CREDIT RUBLE- a measure of value expressed in credit notes. In conditions of inflation, a credit ruble is cheaper than a ruble in “specie” terms, i.e. expressed in gold or silver (under conditions of gold or silver monometallism).
LEGEND- the inscription on the obverse and reverse of a coin or medal.
LIGATURE- base metals that are part of precious alloys. The amount of alloy as a percentage is determined by the formula (1000 - sample): 10, if the sample is metric, or by the formula (96 - sample): 0.96 with a spool expression of the sample. An alloy containing a ligature is called alloyed, and the mass of a coin made from it is called alloyed.
queen cell- a stamp with a relief image for applying the main design elements of a coin to a non-hardened stamp. The use of mother liquors significantly speeds up and reduces the cost of the process of making coin stamps, especially in mass production.
MEMORIAL COINS- coins issued in memory of an event, in recognition of the merits of a person or group of people before the people, in order to popularize a particular event. Most memorial coins were issued of improved quality. Those of them that were issued only for collectors (that is, did not go directly into circulation) are not coins, but coin-like products.
MINTSMEISTER- head of the coin processing department (department) at the mint; official in charge of coin production.
COIN REGALIA- the exclusive monopoly of the state on the minting and issue of coins and other means of circulation.
COIN- a mandatory means of payment legalized by the state (as opposed to bonds), made of metal (less often from other materials). The main function of coins is to meet the needs of monetary circulation or prepare changes to it (test coins). The remaining functions of coins, such as commemorative, anniversary, advertising and others are auxiliary. For more details, see the article “Some issues of collecting Russian coins.”
COIN STOP- characteristic of a coin that determines its standard weight and alloy fineness (for coins made of precious metals) depending on the denomination. It is expressed by the total nominal price at which coins of various denominations should be minted from a certain amount of metal. For example, for copper coins of 1810-1830, the coin foot was taken at the rate of minting coins in the amount of 24 rubles from a pood (16,380 grams) of copper.
Using the coin stack, you can determine the standard weight of a coin of each denomination. So, for kopecks of this period it is 16380:24:100 = 6.825 grams. The permissible deviation from the coin stack is called remedium (see definition below).
COIN TYPE- a set of images and inscriptions on the obverse and reverse of a coin, characteristic of all coins of a certain denomination and period. Thus, the coin type of copper coins in denominations “kopeck”, “money” and “polushka” from 1849-1867 is the image of the emperor’s monogram on the obverse and the designation of the denomination, date of minting and mint on the reverse. For gold coins of 1886-1911, the coin type is the image of the emperor's portrait on the obverse, and the state coat of arms, denomination and date of minting on the reverse.
REGULARLY MINTED COINS- coins minted using machinery in mass quantities. Coins of permanent current issue (as opposed to coins of special issues. For example, the regular ruble of the 1839 St. Petersburg - NG sample is a coin of regular mintage, in contrast to the commemorative ruble of the same year.)
MONOMETALLISM-a monetary system based on one metal (usually gold or silver), the cost of all others was calculated based on the ratio of metal prices. In Russia there was silver monometallism since January 1, 1840 and gold monometallism since 1897. For more details, see the article “A Brief History of Monetary Circulation in Russia in 1700-2000.”
NEW MAKES- new-made (newly made) coins or new-made coins are specific counterfeit coins minted in coin metal at state mints with genuine or specially made stamps on orders from amateur collectors or for the formation of state exhibitions or collections of an advertising nature, as well as minted outside the mint, but with the obligatory use of original stamps. For more details, see the article “Some issues of collecting Russian coins.”
RATING- the denomination of the coin, its nominal price.
NUMISMATICS- science, an auxiliary historical discipline that studies coins and medals, as well as coin hoards. Sometimes the study of numismatic monuments allowed scientists to answer some historical questions that had not received answers from other sources.
PATINA- natural or artificial coating that protects the metal from external chemically aggressive influences.
FAKE COIN- a copy of a real coin, made for any purpose other than direct participation in circulation, most often to deceive collectors. Should be distinguished from counterfeit coins (see definition below). For more details, see the article “Some issues of collecting Russian coins.”
FIFTY KONE, FIFTY KONE- a silver or gold coin of 50 kopecks. Minted from 1701 to 1885 and from 1924 to 1927. In 1886-1922 and since 1958, the denomination was indicated by numbers. Since 1958, 50-kopeck coins have been minted from base metals.
POMIPERIAL- a gold coin of 5 rubles, minted from 1755 to 1896, as well as a gold coin of 7 rubles 50 kopecks in 1897, minted after the reform of the Council of Laws. Witte with the introduction of gold monometallism in Russia.
HALF A KONE- a silver coin of 25 kopecks. Minted from 1701 to 1810. From 1827 to 1901, the denomination was indicated by numbers.
POLUSHKA- a copper coin in denomination of 1/4 kopeck, minted from 1700 to 1810 and from 1849 to 1867. Before the reform of Peter I, small quantities of polushki were minted from silver.
TRY- a number indicating the content of precious metal in a coin alloy. Expressed as the number of spools (4.266 grams) in 1 pound (409.5 grams) of alloy (spool test) or as the number of parts by weight in 1000 parts of alloy (metric sample). For more details, see the article “Coin Metals and Alloys” in the reference section of the catalog.
PROOF COIN- a special type of coins made in the process of preparing to change the appearance of coins for the demonstration and approval of new samples. Also test coins are coins made during the selection of a new coin metal. Most of the hallmark coins are not considered in this catalogue.
PUNCH (PUNCH)- a stamp with a relief image, used for applying individual image elements to a non-hardened stamp (or mother liquor). The use of punches significantly speeded up and reduced the cost of the process of making coin stamps, especially during mass minting.
SMALL COIN- a coin intended for the needs of small trade turnover. Often minted from low-grade silver or base metals.
REVERSE- reverse side of the coin (medal). The side opposite the obverse (see definition above).
REMEDIUM- the permissible deviation in one direction or another from the coin stack for a coin or group of coins established for a given issue. For coins made of precious metals, the remedium was always set for each coin, for coins made of base metals - often for the total mass of coins of a certain denomination. Thus, for copper coins of 16 ruble feet, a permissible deviation from the standard weight was established at 2 pounds (0.8%) for coins in denominations of 5.2 and one kopeck, and 4 pounds (1.6%) for coins in denominations of dengue and half a piece when weighing a batch worth 100 rubles (the standard weight of the batch was 6 poods 10 pounds). Illegal attempts to “correct” batches of coins that went beyond the remedium led to the appearance of coins with non-standard weights, made specifically to correct such batches (Uzdenikov). For the silver ruble coin in 1845, the remedium was set at 3 shares (about 133 milligrams), for half tuna - at 2.5 shares (about 111 milligrams), for 25 and 20 kopecks - at 2 shares (about 89 milligrams), for 10 and 5 kopecks - 1.5 shares (about 67 milligrams). Data taken from the book by V.M. Potin. This difference in remedium for coins of different denominations is due to technological features of production. Precious metal coins that have gone beyond the remedium are quite rare.
SOUVENIR COINS- coin-shaped products made at mints on private orders for distribution as souvenirs. Not considered in this catalogue.
FAKE COIN- a copy of a real coin made for the purpose of payment (to participate in the circulation process). They were made at all times in various ways, sometimes in large quantities (for example, lightweight nickels of 1723-1730). Sometimes counterfeit coins were minted at foreign mints in order to undermine the Russian economy, as well as to obtain illegal profits from the exploitation of coin regalia. The production and use of counterfeit coins has always been prosecuted very strictly (including the death penalty) by the authorities, as it undermines the economy of the state. Counterfeit coins should be distinguished from counterfeit ones (see definition above).
CHERVONETS- a gold coin equal in value to the Western European ducat (about 3 rubles in gold). It was in circulation at exchange rate value and was also used for foreign payments. From 1922 to 1947 - the monetary unit of the RSFSR and the USSR, equal to ten gold rubles. It was minted in the form of a gold coin in 1923 and 1925. Gold coins were intended primarily to back paper money, as well as for foreign payments, and were probably issued into circulation in small quantities. The purpose of the gold chervonets of 1975-1982 is not entirely clear, since such a monetary unit no longer existed at that time. In addition, issuing coins on behalf of one republic (RSFSR) in the USSR was hardly possible. Perhaps they were intended for international payments, because... were minted in large quantities.
P.S. Information taken from the book "Russian coins of 1700-2000. Historical review and catalog" Yaroslav Adrianov
Brief Numismatic Dictionary
Obverse
The obverse side of the coin (simply put - heads). The obverse of modern European coins usually bears the coat of arms of the state or a portrait of the ruler.
In the specialized literature there is no consensus regarding the rules for establishing the obverse side, however, it is generally accepted in modern coin catalogs to determine the obverse according to the following criteria (in descending order of importance):
State emblem, emblem, etc. Moreover, if coats of arms are depicted on both sides of the coin, then the obverse is taken to be the one on which the coat of arms of higher rank and position is depicted. For example, coins from the Portuguese colonies usually featured the coat of arms of Portugal on the obverse and the coat of arms of the colony on the reverse.
Portrait of the head of state, coin lord or other holder of coin regalia.
Legend with the name of the country, territory.
Legend with the name of the owner of the coin regalia.
In other cases, they are guided by subjective opinion or refuse to establish the obverse.
Coins minted on behalf and on behalf of the owner of the coin regalia.
Uncirculated
Uncirculated - quality of minting (usually multi-circulation automatic minting), in which the coin has an even matte metallic sheen without a mirror surface. Uncirculated quality also means that there is no damage due to handling.
Refining
Technology of bringing precious metal to the highest standard (purity). Type of metal refining
Bank coin
The main monetary unit of the state. For example, in Russia - ruble
Billon
French billon - low-grade silver. The definition of "billon" arose in the 13th century as a designation for any low-quality coin with a reduced content of any precious metal. In the 15th century, this concept underwent a change and began to mean “a mass of metal with an insignificant content of precious metal.” It is also used in this meaning in many other European languages.
Billon coin
French billon - low-grade silver. Changeable inferior metal coin, the face value of which exceeds the value of the metal it contains and the cost of minting it
Noble metals
Noble metals, gold, silver, platinum and platinum group metals (iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium), which received their name mainly due to their high chemical resistance and beautiful appearance in products, in particular, in coins. For metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, bank rates are set in relation to the currency of a particular country.
Bonistics
An auxiliary historical discipline that studies obsolete banknotes and bonds as historical documents reflecting the economic and political situation of society. Originated at the beginning of the 20th century. and is closely related to numismatics.
Defective coins
Coins that differ from the bulk of similar coins and do not meet the requirements of the standard. Coin defects include:
Stuck
Coins on which on one side the image is normal, and on the other - the same, but “negative”.
U-turns
The obverse and reverse of the coin are not related to each other at the correct angle. There are two types of obverse-reverse relationships: coin and medal. If you take a coin vertically with two fingers and turn it to the other side, and there you can see an inverted image - this is coin type. Otherwise it's medal type. Most countries use the medal type. The coin type is typical, for example, for Switzerland.
Bezgurtovka
Coins with a smooth edge are defective if initially they should have something on the edge (corrugation, inscription). This also includes groups of coins minted with “foreign” stamps.
Gnawed out
A coin that bears a mark from an adjacent stamp. Sometimes there can be several such crescent-shaped gnaws on a coin at once.
Mixing up metal
The coin was mistakenly struck on another coin blank.
Defective coins have a certain numismatic value, and often quite high.
Bouillon release
Issue of coins or bars for investment purposes. Characterized by large circulations, a fairly simple image and a selling price close to the price of the metal used to make the coin or bar
Shoulder
The part of the edge that protrudes above the field of the coin.
edge
The side surface (edge) of a coin. Usually it has a notch or corrugation (although there is also a smooth edge). In the old days, it was designed this way to prevent cutting of the precious metal, later - to increase wear resistance, and currently - for aesthetics.
Investment coins
Coins made of noble (precious, banking) metals, issued and purchased for investment purposes. This is a banknote made of precious metal, freely sold and purchased by authorized credit institutions at current quotes close to the price of the precious metal contained in it. In some countries, the circulation of investment coins is not subject to value added tax, due to which the price of investment coins can be significantly lower than the price of commemorative coins of the same weight
Collecting
The purposeful collection of generally homogeneous objects, usually of scientific, historical or artistic value. Collectible items include, in particular, coins
Collectible coins
Commemorative (anniversary) coins, which are issued mainly for collecting purposes or as a rarity. Collectible coins are practically not used in monetary circulation; they are mainly of numismatic value
Countermarking (countermarking)
A sign (system of signs), an inscription or image on a coin of a foreign state, intended to confirm the legitimacy of the circulation of this coin in a given territory. As a rule, they appear in the absence of their own coin. There were especially many of them in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies. In Russia in the 17th century, Western European thalers with the image of a penny stamped on them were also in circulation.
Legend
The inscription on the coin (on the obverse, on the reverse, and also on the edge).
Ligature
An auxiliary metal used to impart certain properties to the metal composition (increased mechanical strength, etc.) When making coins from precious metals, for example, copper is often used as an alloy.
Medal art
The art of making coins and medals. Medal art is characterized by the stability of iconographic types and compositional techniques associated with the need to fit an image into a given shape (mainly a circle), and the widespread use of symbols, emblems, and allegories.
Mintmark
A letter, sign or other symbol indicating the place of minting of a given coin. For example, on Russian coins this is the SpMD or MMD logo.
Mints-
Translated from German - coin. Included in words related to coinage (see below)
Mintskabinet
Collection, collection of coins and medals.
Mintzmeister
The person responsible for the weight and fineness of a coin at the mint.
Coin
An ingot of metal of a certain shape, weight, purity and value, which serves as a legal means of circulation. The name of the coin comes from the name of the goddess Juno Moneta (Juno the Mentor), at whose temple metal money began to be minted.
Coin regalia
The state's monopoly right to mint and issue coins into circulation. On the basis of the coin regalia, the state implements coin legislation, determines the name, material, sample, weight, size of coins, their external distinctive features, remedium, etc.
Mint
An enterprise for minting coins, manufacturing orders, medals and other state metal insignia. The first mint was established in Ancient Rome at the Temple of Juno Coins
Coin Income
State income from minting coins. It is the difference between the face value of a defective coin and the market value of the metal it contains (less minting costs). Coin income is provided only by minting inferior small change (bilon) coins
Coin lord
The government, state or head of state, in whose name and on whose instructions coins are minted, banknotes are printed, government loans are issued, postage and non-postage stamps are issued, etc.
Coin Charter
Rules established by state law regulating the procedure for minting coins in the country. The coin regulations determine the nature of minting (free or closed), the standard of the currency metal, the weight, type and legend of the issued coins, the remedium during minting, the rules for withdrawing coins from circulation, etc.
Remake
A coin originally struck for collectors using old or newly minted dies. As a rule, they are in good condition. They may differ from the old one, but they may not differ at all. To distinguish them, they apply some kind of sign that allows them to distinguish a new product from an old one (but, as was said, not always).
Denomination
The nominal value indicated on securities, paper banknotes and coins.
Numismatics
An auxiliary historical discipline that studies the history of coinage and monetary circulation. In addition, numismatics is a hobby related to collecting coins.
Numismatic coins
Coins withdrawn from circulation or in circulation, placed in special souvenir packaging or protective capsules, supplied and sold on numismatic markets at prices above nominal
Overdate
An English term for changing the date of issue of a coin by coinage.
Commemorative (anniversary) coins
Coins that are issued in honor of various historical events, persons or as a rarity. Commemorative coins are rarely used in monetary circulation; they are mainly of numismatic value
Patina
A layer of oxides formed on the surface of metal objects under the influence of oxygen, carbon, acids and salts. Patina does not spoil the metal of coins, but rather protects it from further oxidation. On antique coins, the patina is considered beautiful and valuable, and its presence is considered one of the criteria for the authenticity of the coin.
Patination
The process of artificially applying patina to give a coin an antique appearance.
Cladding
Applying a thin layer of another metal to the surface of metal sheets by hot rolling or pressing.
Try
Proof coin
A coin of an unapproved type, minted, as a rule, in preparation for a new issue. There are simply proof coins and proof coins for collectors - coins that were minted at state mints for the purpose of further sale to collectors.
Proof
Proof (English Proof, German Polierte Platte, less commonly Spiegelglanz) is the highest quality of coinage, achieved by using special machines and special methods for processing blanks and minted tools in their production. Coins are made individually with a high proportion of manual labor, have a completely smooth mirror (polished) surface of the field, and, as a rule, a matted relief pattern. Occasionally the so-called “reverse proof”, where the field is matte and the image is mirrored (polished). The term "proof" is usually used for coins made of precious metals
Proof-like
The definition of "proof-like" is more often used for coins made of base metals. Such coins have all the main features of proof quality: a polished field and a matte image. May have insufficient polishing.
Piedford
A coin struck with regular dies on a double thickness blank. Minted for collectors. Particularly characteristic of France. Unlike ordinary coins, Piedfords are not legal tender (unless otherwise stated during issue).
Small coin
Small denomination metal coin. Has a lower denomination than a bank coin.
Ratio
The relative value of coin metals in relation to each other.
Reverse
The reverse side of the coin (simply tails, or hash). Usually the denomination is placed on it
Remedium
The limit established by the state under the gold coin standard for the deviation of the actual weight and fineness of a coin from the legal norm.
Special uncirculated
The definition of “special uncirculated” is a special “invention” of the NBU, intended to reduce the cost of producing coins while maintaining their selling value. Simply put, this means that the coin has the characteristics of “uncirculated”, but there is no special quality control.
Fake coin
The coin was not minted at a state enterprise and has not been authorized. There are:
Fake coins for circulation (otherwise - fake)
They are minted to the detriment of the monetary circulation of the country in whose territory this type of coin has the status of legal tender, as a rule - by private individuals for personal gain. Sometimes, for example in wartime, it is minted by a hostile state in order to undermine the enemy’s economy.
Fake coins for collectors (otherwise - bullshit, bullshit)
Minted by a private individual with personally cut stamps for sale to collectors under the guise of the original.
In any case, this is a criminal offense.
Coinage
The final operation of coin production: stamping (compression of the product in a finishing die) and final finishing.
Stamp
Device for minting coins. It is a steel cone with a mirror image applied. The obverse and reverse stamps are different. As a rule, minting occurs by simultaneous striking or compression of both dies
Exonumia (exotic numismatics)
Collecting exotic numismatic objects that do not fall under the status of official state banknotes: unofficial memorial signs and souvenirs in the form of coins or banknotes, made on the occasion of fairs, exhibitions and other anniversary and traditional events.
Commemorative (commemorative) coins
Coins that are issued in honor of anniversaries of historical events, persons or as a rarity. Commemorative coins are rarely used in monetary circulation; they are mainly of numismatic value
Adjustment
Checking the coin blank for compliance with the accepted standard and then (if required) removing excess metal from the coin blank field.
monetarius) - the name of the professional affiliation or position of a specialist associated with the production of coins. Mintsmeister can be called: the head of the mint or its department (redistribution); official in charge of coin production; manager of the mechanical part of the mint, sampler, etc.
Story
Antiquity
The first specialists in minting coins have been known since the times of Ancient Greece. The history of coinage in the ancient world has not been sufficiently studied to date. It is assumed that in order to distinguish coins between Greek policies, various identifying marks were applied to them, and the need for such marks underlies the creation of a kind of profession of mintzmeister.
For the first time, the service of a coin master as an independent type of activity was seen in the Roman Empire since the Punic Wars. In the later period of the republic, the College of Three Mintzmasters was organized. Under Julius Caesar, the college was expanded to four officials, and under Octavian Augustus it was again reduced to three. Coin masters were appointed quaestors. The college existed until the 3rd century AD.
Middle Ages
New time
In Europe
In Austria and Germany, since the establishment of the Habsburg rule, coin masters were formed as employees of principalities, lands and states. In Austria, the service of the chief mintmaster provided for the existence of a coin master as an employee with a fixed salary without the possibility of running a business. Over the mintzmeisters in the lands and territories of Central Europe, a wardein (German Wardein, Latin guardianus - guard, watchman) was established, the name of which goes back to the French. gardien (overseer) and came into German from North French. wardien and niderl. wardijn. Vardein supervised the work of the mintzmeister (mintmaker) regarding the quality of the ligature and the weight of the coins.
A ver is the obverse side of a coin or medal, usually where the coat of arms is. In modern literature, based on the main function of coins as banknotes, the obverse side of the coin is considered to be the side on which, like a seal, there is a sign that guarantees the authenticity of the coin. Such signs are the state emblem, state emblem, etc. On the obverse of modern Russian coins there is an image of a double-headed eagle, which is the emblem of the Bank of Russia.Authorized Issue - A coin minted in the name and on behalf of a coin lord or person (organization) having such rights. This could be the king, the government, or local civil or military self-government.
Letter of credit - An instruction from a bank to one or more other banks to make, by order and at the expense of the client, payments to an individual or legal entity up to a specified amount on the terms specified in the letter of credit.
Share - An issue-grade security issued by a joint-stock company without a specified circulation period. A share certifies the contribution by its owner of a share in the share capital (authorized fund) of the company and provides its owner with the rights: to receive part of the profit in the form of dividends; for sale on the securities market; to participate in the management of a joint stock company; to the share of property upon liquidation of the joint stock company.
Acmonital - (from the Italian acciaio monetario italiano - Italian coin steel), stainless chromium steel with the addition of nickel. This alloy is used mainly to mint change coins for Italy, the Vatican and San Marino at the Roman Mint.
Aluminum - (Latin aluminium, from alumen - alum), chemical symbol Al, III group of the periodic system of Mendeleev, atomic number 13, silvery-white, soft, light metal, quickly oxidizing, specific density 2.7 g/cc, melting point 660 degrees C. First obtained in its pure form in 1824. In terms of abundance, it ranks 3rd among elements and 1st among metals (8.8% of the mass of the earth’s crust). Used to make coins, usually alloyed with magnesium. Aluminum coins first appeared at the end of the First World War. Aluminum bronze is often used as an alloy.
Aluminum bronze is an alloy of copper and aluminum, in which the main part (usually more than 85%) is copper. It became widespread at the end of the twentieth century as a material for making small change coins.
"St. Andrew's chervonets" - single double chervonets of 1749-1753, with an image of St. on the reverse side. Andrey.
Banknotes were the first Russian paper money backed by copper coins. Banknotes were issued by the government from 1769 to 1843 and had payment power until the end of 1847.
Refining is the process of separating precious metals from impurities or from each other.
Bank note (Bank or credit note) - An official, usually paper, currency issued by an issuing bank and backed by gold, foreign currency, government securities and other bank assets, used to replace actual money as a medium of exchange and payment.
Bank (bank) coin - The main monetary unit of the state. For example - the ruble.
Non-cash money - Financial assets in bank accounts used for non-cash payments by transferring from one current account to another and for receiving cash at the bank. Non-cash money expresses the bank's obligations to the client in the form of an account entry, which corresponds to the bank's means of payment, formed through cash contributions from the client or through non-cash transfers in favor of the client.
Bouillon Issue - Issue of coins or bars for investment purposes. It is characterized by huge circulations, a fairly simple image and a selling price close to the price of the metal used to make the coin or bar.
Edge - Part of the edge protruding above the field of the coin.
Billon - low-grade silver used for minting small change coins. 1) inferior small change coin made of low-grade silver and base metals; 2) a silver alloy in which the precious metal content is less than 50%
Noble metals - gold, silver, platinum and platinum group metals (palladium, iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium). They have chemical resistance, refractoriness (except for Ag and Au) and beautiful appearance (hence the name).
Bonds are paper money that has gone out of circulation and become a collectible. 1) temporary metal or paper money issued by local authorities, institutions or enterprises; 2) paper money that has fallen out of use and has become a collectible
Bronze - (French bronze) alloys of Cu (basic) with other elements. For example, Sn, Al, Be, Pb, Cd, Cr. Accordingly, bronze is called tin, aluminum, beryllium, lead, etc. Bronze coins and medals of modern times most often consist of 95% copper, 4% tin and 1% zinc. Recently, aluminum bronze has been increasingly used for the production of coins.
In promissory note - a security, a separate document, of a strictly prescribed form, containing either an unconditional obligation of the person issuing it (promissory note), or his order to a third party (bill of exchange) to make payment of the specified amount to the person named in the bill or to the bearer of the bill within a specified period.
A plaster model is a positive plaster cast of a model of a coin or medal, made by the medalist on an enlarged scale.
Engraving is the work of an engraver to remove irregularities from the surface of workpieces or a working tool using a gravel to obtain clearer contours of an inscription or image.
Grosh is a designation for the denomination of 2 kopecks, corresponding to the old Russian currency calculation.
Edge - the side surface of a coin. The notches, patterns or inscriptions covering the edge are called edge, and the tools and machines with which they are applied are called edge. The edges of modern coins can be smooth, processed with small notches (ribbed edge) or equipped with inscriptions (chased edge). Ancient coins usually have a smooth edge. The first coins whose edges were industrially processed appeared in France in the second half of the 16th century. Processing of the edge is carried out in order to protect the coin from counterfeiting, filing, and also allows people with vision problems to distinguish coin denominations by touch.
Edge circle - A piece of embossing equipment responsible for applying marks and/or images on the edge. The process of minting can occur both during the minting of the coin and before.
Real money - Items made of metal, generally recognized in commodity-money relations as the universal equivalent of all other goods. Real money performed all the functions of money and at different periods of development of commodity-money relations existed in two forms: BULLON and COIN.
Banknote - A generally recognized material item, the actual value of which, as a rule, is less or, in some cases, more than the nominal value indicated on it, expressed in units of the value of real money, which was manufactured, can be used or has ever been used to replace real money when they perform the functions of circulation and (or) payment. Banknotes are: - inferior coins, as well as cash and payment coin-like tokens made from various materials, including non-metallic ones; - banknotes, treasury notes, coins of change and other banknotes made of paper or other materials; - numismatic banknotes; - investment coins.
Money - The essence of MONEY is manifested in its functions: a) measure of value - ensures the expression of the value of goods as identical quantities, qualitatively equal and quantitatively comparable; b) medium of exchange - acts as an intermediary in the circulation of goods; c) a means of creating treasures - this function arises due to the fact that the circulation process can be interrupted for various reasons. It requires the presence of full-fledged money (gold, silver); d) means of payment - when selling goods on credit, when paying taxes, land rent, etc.; e) world MONEY - a means of settlement in international payment turnover between countries.
Donative (gift) coins are coins minted in Russia not for release into circulation, but for the distribution of the imperial family to various individuals as an incentive or in connection with some event.
The minting date on coins is the designation in the legend of the coin of the year of its minting.
Moneymaker - originated in the 15th century. Old Russian name for a mint tenant and coin master, also called “livets”.
Additive metal - metal added to another metal to give the coin alloy greater hardness and strength.
Income from minting coins is the income of the state or other owner of the coin regalia, received due to the difference between the price of the coin metal and the cost of minting, on the one hand, and the denomination of the coin, on the other. The desire to extract maximum income often led owners of coin regalia to damage their coins.
Token - A sign, usually made of metal, to replace national coins in vending machines, turnstiles, etc.
Substitutes for real money - Objects presented in various forms that replace real money when they perform their individual functions. There are the following types of substitutes for real money: - CURRENCY NOTES; - SECURITIES; - NON-CASH MONEY. Substitute banknotes have been and are being produced both on behalf of coin lords and by other individuals and legal entities who are not coin lords.
Gold - (lat. Aurum), chemical symbol Au, group I of the periodic system of Mendeleev, atomic number 79. Noble metal, yellow, malleable, specific density 19.32 g/cc, melting point 1064.43 degrees C. Chemically very inert, does not change in air even when heated. The first metal discovered by man. Mostly native gold is found in nature. Currently, 900-carat gold is mainly used to make coins.
The gold standard is a gold coin standard, a monetary system in which the main monetary units are minted only in gold (full-fledged current coins), while their metallic value is equal to their face value. Under the gold standard, banknotes are exchanged for gold without any restrictions, silver coins are issued in low grade as small change. The gold standard arose during the period of pre-monopoly capitalism. Under the conditions of monopoly capitalism, the possibilities of maintaining a pure gold standard were reduced, and by the beginning of the First World War it was abolished in almost all countries.
And an investment coin is a specific monetary sign, made in the form of a commemorative coin made of precious metal, freely sold and purchased by authorized credit institutions at current quotes close to the price of the precious metal contained in it. Almost the same as the Bouillon Coin. It is legal tender and is accepted in all types of payments at face value, but is mainly used to perform the function of accumulating and preserving capital.
Making counterfeit money and counterfeit coins is the production of counterfeit coins for malicious purposes or alteration of genuine coins, which is prosecuted in accordance with criminal law. Includes the production of counterfeit coins by counterfeiters in order to harm the state and the population and counterfeiting of coins in order to deceive collectors.
Treasury note - a paper currency that is not redeemable for gold, issued by the Treasury to cover government expenses and is a short-term liability of the state. Used in circulation along with other banknotes to replace real money.
Countermarking (overcoinage) - A sign, a system of signs, an inscription or image on a coin of a foreign or one’s own state, intended to confirm the legitimacy of the circulation of this coin in a given territory. As a rule, they appear when there is no coin of their own (for example, due to a lack of raw materials for production). There were especially many in the Spanish and Portuguese colonies.
Brass - (from German Latun, English Brass), an alloy of copper (base) with zinc (up to 50%), often with additions of Al, Sn, Fe, Mn, Ni and other elements (in total up to 10%) . Depending on the percentage of copper, the alloys vary in color from copper-red to light yellow. Due to its good workability by pressure, a wide range of properties, beautiful color and comparative cheapness, Brass is the most common copper alloy.
Nickel brass - (English Nickel Brass), brass with a small content of nickel in the alloy.
Legend - an inscription on the front and back of a coin or medal. Based on their location, a distinction is made between a circular legend, an inscription in the field of the coin, and an edge inscription. A circular legend is located along the edge of the coin and is often separated from the field of the coin by a dotted circle, etc. The inscription in the coin's field may consist of one or more lines, as well as individual words or letters placed above, below, or next to the image or included in the image. Edge inscriptions placed around the edge circumference can be convex or concave.
Lottery ticket - a security payable to bearer, which is a carrier of information necessary to determine with an absolute degree of certainty the fact of winning or not winning the lottery.
Cast Coin - A coin made by pouring liquid metal into a desired shape. Cast coins played a special role in China, where all coins in circulation starting from the 12th century. BC e. and until the beginning of the 20th century, they were made by casting.
Ligature is the addition of a less valuable metal to the base precious metal when making coin alloys. During the melting process, the properties of individual metals can be significantly changed. For coins, ligatures that are most resistant to wear are recommended. For this purpose, a certain amount of additional metal, copper, is added to gold and silver. Such an alloy is called alloyed zealot or silver, and the mass (weight) of the alloy spent on the coin is the alloy mass (weight) of this coin.
Non-postal stamps - A banknote intended for payment of fiscal duties (for example, all kinds of duties).
Postage stamps - A special case of a payment sign. In many cases, they can be used as a means of paying for postage (or goods or services) repeatedly. In rare cases it is used as emergency money - i.e. accepted as a means of payment in any territory.
Mintmark - A letter, sign or other symbol indicating the place of minting of a given coin. On Russian coins this is the SpMD or MMD logo.
The mother liquor is a stamp for making coin stamps.
Copper-nickel alloys have been used for minting small change coins since the end of the 19th century, and their composition at different mints is very diverse. One of the most famous such alloys is cupronickel.
Copper - (lat. Cuprum), chemical symbol Cu, group I of the periodic system of Mendeleev, atomic number 29. The metal is red, malleable and soft. Specific density 8.96 g/cc, melting point 1083 degrees C. In the atmosphere it becomes covered with patina. Since ancient times, used for minting coins and medals. Due to its ductility, malleability and resistance to corrosion, it is the most common coin metal, both in pure form and as part of alloys - bronze, brass, etc.
Memorial (commemorative) coins are coins minted on the occasion of any events or anniversaries. Commemorative coins of ruble and one and a half ruble denominations were sometimes called medal coins.
"Menshikov" ten-kopeck coin is a trial copper coin of 10-kopeck denomination, minted in 1726.
Mintzmeister - the official responsible for the production of coins.
Model - a working sample, made as a positive from solid material. When making minted medals and coins, the sample is an enlarged model, from which a blank for the stamp is made using a copying machine.
Coin - A metal or other form of representation of actual money or banknotes, made on behalf of a coin lord and representing a piece of metal or metal alloy of an established shape, composition, weight and denomination, a multiple of the accepted basic monetary unit, which is taken into account in commodity-money relations according to its nominal value. The actual value of a coin is usually less than its face value.
Coin regalia is the state’s monopoly right to mint and issue.
Coin foot is a characteristic of a coin that determines its standard mass (weight) depending on its denomination. It is expressed as the total nominal value for which coins of various denominations should be minted from a certain amount of metal, for example: “19 rubles 75 25/81 kopecks from a pound of silver” or “12 rubles 80 kopecks from a pound of copper.”
Coin form of real money - Representation of money in the form of coins made from the base monetary metal of a certain weight, having a nominal value indicated on them or calculated at an established rate, which in commodity-money circulation are accounted for at nominal value. Actual money in coin form is called FULL COINS.
Monetary policy is the practical implementation of monetary affairs - a set of measures relating to the monetary system, such as: centralization or decentralization of the monetary system, improvement, stabilization or deterioration of the coin stock.
Coinage technology is the totality of all material means and processes used for the production of coins.
Monetary economy is a period of history during which commodity-money relations were carried out mainly through coin money.
Coin circulation is a part of money circulation that can be carried out only with the help of coins (for example, paying in cash for small and minute purchases, using vending machines or consumer service network machines, etc.).
Coinage law - see coin regalia.
Mint is the name of the enterprise that mints coins.
Coin mark - small letters or signs printed on coins that are symbols of mints, coin masters, stamp cutters, etc.
Coin master (coinmaker) is the technical manager of the mint.
A coin stamp is a steel instrument with negative images of the obverse and reverse sides of the coin.
Monometallism is the use of only one type of precious metal to make the main coin of monetary circulation. Can be silver or gold.
Coin defect - A coin that differs from the bulk of coins of this issue and does not comply with GOST. Options: in foreign metal, minted outside the minted ring, not stamped if this should have happened, minted with worn dies or dies of previous years or other denominations, with shifting dies.
Coin lord - The government, state or head of state, in whose name and on whose instructions coins are minted, banknotes are printed, government loans are issued, postage and non-postage stamps are issued, etc.
Defective Coin - An official currency, usually made of low-grade silver or some base metal whose value is less than the face value indicated on it.
Unofficial currency - A currency manufactured and issued for circulation by any individual or legal entity other than a coin lord.
Remake - A coin originally minted for collectors using old or newly minted dies at a government facility and with the knowledge of the coin lord. As a rule, they are in excellent condition. They may have differences from the old man, or they may not have any differences at all.
Numismatic banknotes - Banknotes and coins withdrawn from circulation or in circulation, placed in special souvenir packaging or protective capsules, supplied and sold on numismatic markets at prices above nominal.
Denomination - the denomination of a coin, its nominal price.
Nominal value - the corresponding nominal value of means of payment intended for circulation within the country; it should be distinguished from material value (cost of material and manufacturing), market value (value on the international foreign exchange market), value as a collectible (depending on supply and demand, as well as rarity and degree of preservation).
Nickel - (Latin Niccolum, from German Nickel - the name of the mythical evil spirit that prevents miners from working), chemical sign Ni, group VIII of the periodic system, atomic number 28. Silver metal, very resistant to air and water. Specific density 8.9 g/cc, melting point 1453 degrees C. Used for minting coins since 1850, usually not in pure form but in alloys, usually with copper. It is also used for applying an outer protective layer to coins minted from other metals (copper, bronze, etc.).
O bond - An issue-grade security containing the issuer's obligation to pay its owner (creditor) the nominal value at the end of a specified period and periodically pay a certain amount of interest.
Clipping is the filing and drilling of coins made of precious metals for malicious purposes. The last operation leaves almost no traces, since the drilled areas are filled with base metal and covered with a layer of coin metal on top. Protection against this method of reducing the value of the coin was processing the edge and applying an inscription to it.
Overdate is an English term that has no analogues in Russian numismatics, denoting a change in the issue date of a coin by coinage. Example - Australian 3 pence coins 1921/22
Convertible coins - Coins that are completely convertible (such as gold coins).
The main monetary metal is a metal that plays the role of a universal equivalent in commodity-money relations.
Official banknote - A banknote manufactured and issued on behalf of the coin lord.
Tin - (lat. Stannum), chemical sign Sn, group IV of the periodic system of Mendeleev, atomic number 50, silver-white metal, soft and ductile, density 7.3 g/cubic. cm, melting point 231.9 degrees C. It fades in air, becoming covered with an oxide film that is resistant to chemical reagents. Its softness and low melting point make this metal in its pure form unsuitable for making coins. Typically, tin is used in alloys, the best known of which is bronze.
“Pavlovsky reminting” is the reminting of copper coins of 1796 from a 32-ruble coin stack into coins of a 16-ruble stack, carried out during the reign of Paul I, but with stamps with the monogram of Catherine II and with a dating corresponding to the years of her reign.
Commemorative Coin - A coin issued in memory of a person or event.
Commemorative coin of improved quality - A numismatic monetary sign in the form of a metal coin issued in memory of an event or dedicated to any object or subject of a socio-political, historical, cultural, religious or other nature. Improved quality commemorative coins are made from precious or base metals using special proof or proof-like minting technology. Officially, they are usually declared legal tender by the issuer and can be used at face value as means of circulation and payment, but in fact they are sold to collectors on numismatic markets for their collectible value in excess of face value.
Patina - (Italian Patina) a layer of oxides formed on the surface of metal objects (copper, bronze, brass) under the influence of oxygen, carbon, acids and salts. Patina does not spoil the metal of coins, but rather protects it from further oxidation. On antique coins, the patina is considered beautiful and valuable, and its presence is considered one of the criteria for the authenticity of the coin.
Patination - The process of applying a patina artificially to give a coin an antique appearance or to hide minor defects on the field.
Para is a Turkish monetary unit equal to 1/40 of a kurus.
Cladding - Application of a thin layer of another metal to the surface of metal sheets by hot rolling or pressing.
A full-fledged walking coin is the name of full-fledged coins, obligatory for acceptance in any quantities, the value of the metal of which corresponds to the state-guaranteed denomination. They are currency money, as opposed to small change and paper money. She participated in the circulation until the beginning of the 20th century.
The deterioration of coins is a process of continuous reduction of the coin stock that is natural to the conditions of the monetary economy. It is one of the most characteristic phenomena in the history of coin money.
Fineness is a characteristic of a coin alloy that determines the relationship between the amount of base metal contained in a given alloy and the amount of alloy. It was determined in accordance with the counting system used in a particular historical period. With the introduction of the decimal system, the sample is indicated in thousandths (ppm) of the alloyed metal. In this case, a completely pure precious metal has a purity of 1000.
Sample of noble metals - the amount of precious metals in the alloy. The standard of noble metals used in most countries is expressed as the number of parts of metal in 1000 parts (by weight) of the alloy. Pure metal corresponds to the 1000th sample.
Proof Coin - A coin of an unapproved type, minted, as a rule, in preparation for a new issue. It is necessary to distinguish between simply trial and trial for collectors - i.e. those coins that were minted at state monasteries for the purpose of their further sale to collectors. If proof coins are simply minted in single copies, then proof coins for collectors can be minted in quantities exceeding the main issue.
Pud is an old Russian unit of weight = 40 pounds = 16.38 kg.
Punch - a stamp with a relief image of a number (digital punch), letter or group of letters.
Piedford - A coin struck with regular dies on a blank of double thickness. Minted for collectors. This is especially true for France. Unlike ordinary coins, PIEDFORDS are not money (legal tender) unless otherwise stated during issue.
A small change coin is a coin intended for the needs of small trade turnover. Usually minted from low-grade silver or base metals. The denomination of a small change coin, as a rule, exceeds its material value. The difference between them is the income from minting coins.
Reverse - the back side of a coin or medal.
Exchange note - An unofficial, usually paper, banknote used in circulation in the territory determined by the issuer when it was issued, due to the lack of a sufficient number of official banknotes.
Change surrogate (token, payment token, notgeld, emergency money) - Unofficial coin-like signs of arbitrary shape and material, minted at a state or private enterprise in order to cover the shortage of change coins of a national standard. They walked in a strictly established territory, sometimes for a specified period. They were issued by both trade organizations and local governments. Serves as an obligation of the issuer to accept it as a means of payment for any goods or services in an enterprise owned by him or in an organization headed by him. Used in circulation in the territory determined by the issuer upon its issue, due to the lack of a sufficient number of official banknotes.
Regular minting is the ordered machine minting of coins on round blanks.
Remedium is the permissible deviation from the normal weight of the coin established by the coin stack, as well as the permissible deviation in the alloy sample established for coins of a given issue.
C silver - (lat. Argentum), chemical symbol Ag, group I of the periodic system of Mendeleev, atomic number 47. White metal, malleable, ductile, density 10.5 g/cc, melting point 960.8 degrees C, very resistant to air and water, but very sensitive to sulfur and sulfur compounds (turns black in the presence of hydrogen sulfide). Used for minting coins from the 6th century. BC. Currently, as a rule, commemorative and anniversary coins are minted from silver. To give the metal strength, it is usually not pure silver that is used, but its alloy with copper or zinc. The main hallmarks used in modern coinage are 500, 625, 800 and 925. Silver has bactericidal properties: Ag+ ions sterilize water.
Bullion form of real money - Representation of money in the form of ingots from the main monetary metal, which in commodity-money circulation are taken into account by the weight of the metal they contain. Actual money in bullion form is called MONEY BULLON.
Degree of preservation: English VG F VF EF MS Proof, German SGE S SS VORZ STGL PP, Italian B MB BB SPL FDC FS, French B TB TTB SUP FDC FB, Spanish RC BC MBC EBC FDC PROOF.
VG (very good) - severe wear, inscriptions are not readable (the relief is preserved at 2-3/10)
F (fine) - the main details are visible, the inscriptions are partially readable (the relief is preserved at 4-5/10)
VF (very fine) - noticeable wear, inscriptions are fully legible (the relief is preserved at 6-7/10)
EF (extremely fine) -- slight wear (condition 8-9/10)
MS (mint state) - no wear (safety 10/10)
Proof is not a degree of preservation, but a method of treating the surface of a coin during its production (polishing, matting, etc.).
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) uses the following designations:
About Goog (AG-3)
Very Good (VG-8)
Very Fine (VF-20)
Choice Very Fine (VF-30)
Extremely Fine (EF-40)
Choice Extremely Fine (EF-45)
About Uncirculated (AU-50)
Choice About Uncirculated (AU-55)
Uncirculated (MS-60)
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65)
Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70)
T esauration is the process of accumulating values as treasure, as well as for the purpose of preserving their value. Coins made from alloys of gold and silver, along with ingots of precious metals and jewelry made from them, in certain historical periods were the object of hoarding the population's funds. In a broad sense, it also includes the creation of gold and foreign exchange reserves by central banks, treasuries and special funds.
Coin circulation -- A clearly defined limit for minting a coin of a certain year or type. The limit is determined by the need of the state, or a private person, or an enterprise for a coin.
Tughra is a decorative inscription on the obverse of coins, composed of intertwined initials of the ruler during whose reign the coin was issued.
Counterfeit Coin -- A coin, token, or coin-like token that was not minted by a government entity and has not been authorized. Divided into 1 - counterfeit coin for circulation (otherwise - fake). Minted to the detriment of the monetary circulation of the country in whose territory this type of coin has the status of legal tender. Minted, as a rule, by private individuals for personal gain. Sometimes, for example, in wartime, it is minted by a hostile state in order to undermine the enemy’s economy. 2-fake coin for collectors (otherwise - bullshit, bullshit). Minted by a private individual with personally cut stamps for sale to collectors under the guise of the original. Nowadays, it is cost-effective to counterfeit coins starting at 500 rubles. Although in Asian countries (China) they also mint low-quality fakes or fantasies for tourists with a selling price of 1 dollar. Proof cannot be faked.
A common coin is a coin intended, in contrast to a commemorative coin, for circulation. In modern coinage practice, commemorative coins are sometimes minted in large quantities in order to combine the features of a current and commemorative coin in this way.
Securities - Monetary documents expressing any property right, the condition for the implementation of which is their mandatory presentation. Securities are: shares, bonds, letters of credit, bills, checks, lottery tickets, etc.
Zinc - (lat. Zincum), chemical symbol Zn, group II of the periodic table of Mendeleev, atomic number 30. A bluish-white metal, covered in air with a protective layer of oxide. Density 7.13 g/cc, melting point 419.5 degrees C. In its pure form it is extremely rarely used for minting coins. Zinc coins were minted in many countries during World War II and the post-war years. Currently, zinc is generally used in coin alloys, primarily brass.
Check - An unconditional order, an order from the drawer to the drawer's bank or other lending institution to pay the holder of the check a specified amount of money.
Embossing is a finishing operation of volumetric stamping - compression of a product (coin) in a finishing die in order to improve the quality of the image, surface and size.
Coin cleaning - Chemical or mechanical removal of patina, dirt, and grease from a coin.
Ш tempel - Device for minting coins. It is a steel cone with a mirror image applied. The obverse and reverse stamps are different. As a rule, minting occurs by simultaneous striking or compression of both dies.
Jubilee coin - A coin issued in memory of the anniversary of a person or historical event.
Anniversary coin of improved quality - made from precious or base metals using a special proof or proof-like minting technology. Officially, they are usually declared legal tender by the issuer and can be used at face value as means of circulation and payment, but in fact they are sold to collectors on numismatic markets for their collectible value in excess of face value.
Adjustment - Checking the compliance of the coin blank with the accepted standard, followed (if required) by removing excess metal from the field of the coin blank