Glossary - An Introduction to Coin Investing & Collecting

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W

R

Rare:

A coin which only a small number exist. (See "Scarce.")

Rarity Scale:

Estimate of the surviving population of a coin.

Unique:

One known

R-8:

Estimated two or three known (Excessively Rare)

R-7:

(High) Estimated four to six know (Extremely Rare)

R-7:

(Low) Estimated six to 12 known (Very Rare)

R-6:

Estimated 13 to 30 known (Rare)

R-5:

Estimated 31 to 75 known

R-4:

Estimated 76 to 200 known

R-3:

Estimated 201 to 500 known

R-2:

Estimated 501 to 1,250 known

R-1:

Estimated over 1,250 known

Raw:

A coin that has not been graded, certified, and placed in a tamper-proof capsule by a grading service.

Red Book:

A Guide Book of United States Coins.

Relief:

Any part of coin's design which is raised. (See "High relief," "Low relief.")

Repair:

An area of a coin which has been worked on to fix a defect. Repairs must be mentioned in the description of the coin. [See "Altered date (or mint mark)."]

Reproduction:

A copy so marked as required by law, with an "R" or a "C." (See "Copy.")

Reverse:

The back of a coin. The side usually opposite from the portrait or date.

Riffle:

A groove in the bottom of an inclined trough or sluice, for arresting gold contained in sands or gravels.

Rim nick:

An abrasion or cut into the rim or edge of a coin, usually occutting through contact with another coin or coins (as in a bag of coins).

Roll:

Oringinal coins, assembled at the time of manufacture, usually by a bank and then placed into a paper tube. There are, for example, 20 dollars in a roll.