Selected numismatic definitions

Bracteate Thin silver coins struck on only one side, mostly in central Europe (such as 12th- to 13th-century Germany).

Bullion Precious metal that has been refined to a high level of purity and is valued for its intrinsic value rather than as art or money.

Electrum Naturally-occurring alloy of gold and silver with trace amounts of copper and other metals.

Horn Silver Tough, dark grey or greenish crust that forms on ancient silver artifacts or coins when buried in salty or marine environments over centuries. It is notoriously difficult to remove without damaging the underlying metal's details.

Immobilized Issue Coin design, name, or portrait that continues to be utilized into currency after the original ruler has died or the design has lost its original meaning.

Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT) Items issued by a government that has legal face value, but is made and sold for purposes other than daily commerce.

Orichalcum Fabled metal from ancient Greek writings, famously described by Plato as second only to gold in value and used to adorn the lost city of Atlantis. Historically, it corresponds to a golden-yellow copper-zinc brass alloy used by the ancient Romans to mint coins. The Roman Empire used the metal for high-value coins like sestertii and dupondii because it looked like gold.

Potin Base metal alloy of copper, tin, and lead, commonly used for cast Celtic coins.

Schulprämie (School premium) Historical award for outstanding academic achievements, which was previously awarded in the form of valuable medals (such as the Gärtnerpfennig) or on special occasions also as a non-fiction prize during the 17th to 19th Centuries.

Scyphate Cup-shaped coin primarily minted by the Byzantine Empire between the 11th and 14th centuries. Seed Coin Original master coin, trial piece, or prototype hub used by mints to produce working dies for striking regular circulation coins.

Venus Penny Late medieval to 16th-century copper-alloy jeton (reckoning counter) used in Europe for manual calculation typically featuring an Austro-Burgundian shield and a standing woman ("Venus") with long flowing hair, sometimes holding a flower or wearing a drape.

Voided A voided cross is a cross drawn in outline with an empty or "void" space running down the center of its arms. This made detection of clipping easier. It also facilitated cutting of the coin into smaller denominations.