NUMISMATIC MEANINGS

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The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 29, July 16, 2000, Article 12

NUMISMATIC MEANINGS

Howard A. Daniel III writes:

"I like your weekly missive very much. I do not collect or research United States numismatics but I still enjoy reading your stuff. There was an article in a recent issue of Coin World about the definition of the word "coin". It was an excellent article and something I think is very lacking in numismatics, which is the proper use and definitions of words. What is a coin? What is a token? What is a medal? Can you make a section of your weekly missive into an area where your subscribers can discuss numismatic definitions? I will definitely comment and submit my two cents worth to it!"

Sounds like a fine idea. It would be interesting to see which published definitions of the terms our subscribers prefer, as well as what definitions they'd offer of their own. Since we're all bibliophiles here, let's start with the question of published definitions - which is the most authoritative reference for the definition of numismatic terms?

For example, handy to my desk is a copy of the 6th edition of the COIN WORLD Almanac. The Numismatic Terms chapter lists these definitions:

COIN - usually a piece of metal, marked with a device, issued by a governing authority and intended to be used as money.
TOKEN - usually a piece of durable material appropriately marked and unofficially issued for monetary, advertising, services, or other purposes.
MEDAL - usually a piece of metal, marked with a design or description, made to honor a person, place, or event; not intended to pass as money.

While we're on the subject, can anyone tell us who authored the COIN WORLD Almanac Numismatic Terms chapter? And on which references it was based?

Wayne Homren, Editor

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