Silver Glossary

To be successful at buying and selling silver, it is important to be familiar with some of the terms used by silver investors. This page is dedicated to providing you with definitions of the more common terms used. I will be adding to it regularly so stop back often to see what new items have been added.

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

certified coin: a coin that has been graded, certified and encased in a tamper-proof plastic case (a.k.a. "slabbed") by one of the recognized grading services (ANACS, NGC, PCGS, etc.)

clad coin: a coin that has a core of one metal and an outer layer of another metal. Used by the U.S. Mint for circulated coins beginning in 1965. 

commemorative coin: a coin produced to recognize/celebrate a person or event

die: the metal mold that is used to strike/produce a coin

hallmark: the mark or imprint on a precious metal bar (or ingot) signifying the purity and maker of the piece

Morgan Dollar: a U.S. silver dollar designed by George Morgan and struck between 1878 and 1904 and again in 1921

NGC: Numismatic Guarantee Corporation, one of the top coin grading and certification companies

numismatic coin: a coin whose value is based on scarcity, condition, strike and demand with little to no emphasis on the metal it contains

PCGS: Professional Coin Grading Service, one of the premier companies which grades and certifies coins

Peace Dollar: a U.S. silver dollar designed by Anthony de Francisci and struck between 1921 and 1935

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