"The termslab has never really worked for me & many others I know. Unfortunately it has been in usage pretty much since the beginning of certified coins, for well over three decades. It seems fairly insulting that the reason for its usage is the fact that it's vaguely in the shape of a coffin. Let's put our collective (pun intended) heads together & start the conversation with suggestions to change this & have the word redacted from the numismatic language. It will not happen overnight but in time we can make it happen. Calling on all for ideas."

Well, the word "slab" is short, catchy and as Tom noted, very well established in the hobby. "Encapsulated coin" doesn't really roll off the tongue, and more than just coins get the encapsulation treatment. "Capsule"? How about "Cert", short for "certified". That's short and could be catchy in time. What do readers think? -Editor

Last week I asked if anyone could confirm a story from The Hindu about the 1911 "Pig Rupee". -Editor

"It is true, and we have been including the following description with those coins:

“The 1911 accession to the throne of Emperor George V led to the famous "pig rupee." On the coin, the King appeared wearing the chain of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire. Because of poor engraving the elephant looked very much like a pig. The Muslim population was enraged and the image had to be quickly redesigned.

"This variety is well known, and has a separate catalog # (KM-523) and a relatively nice photo illustration in Standard Catalog of World Coins. I own an AU or unc. example, somewhere. I displayed it in my "Rupees of the Raj" exhibit under a magnifier, next to a blown-up copy of the SCWC photos, including at L.A. ANA 8/2009. Shortly thereafter I borrowed it from my collection again to show off at some coin club meeting, but haven't yet discovered where I set it aside upon returning home. As I complain (only) to other collectors at club meetings, it's such a burden having so much money!

"Here's a photo comparison posted to a collector's web blog page."

Thanks, everyone. -Editor

"I recently bought a Castorland jeton carrying the PCGS number 880741 with its metal content identified as bronzed copper. I've not seen any other Castorland copper jetons with that identifier number, or the phrase "bronzed copper." So I'm curious. I suspect the copper flan was treated with a thin bronze coating prior to striking. That would constitute "bronzed copper." I've seen "rub" on several copper Castorlands and on them it looks like the "rub" has revealed a flash of copper underneath.

"I spoke with a PCGS customer service representative and she pointed me to several coins identified by PCGS as bronzed copper. They are easily viewed by checking Google, PCGS bronzed copper. I checked Dick Johnson's E-Sylum. As usual, his entry is thorough and exacting but it deals with alloy mixtures, not the specific bronzing of copper. If you or your readers know of a source that explains this technique I would certainly appreciate knowing it."

Can anyone help? -Editor