PCGS Body Bag coins. Image: ChzForLife - Reddit / Jaobler - Coin Community Forum / CoinWeek.

Body Bag – A Former Container for Problem Coins

(n.) Coins deemed upgradable by some third-party grading companies were at one time returned to the customer in a container known as a “body bag“....
ASA Accugrade holder.

Accugrade – A Novel Approach to Coin Grading

On occasion, one might encounter coins in obsolete coin slabs. One such obsolete slab presents a few interesting insights, that--had they been adopted more...
This is a photograph of a pile of United States generic gold coins.

Generic Gold – What Does This Coin Marketing Term Mean?

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes .....   (n.) The term "generic gold" generally refers to gold coins wherein their primary value is derived from the intrinsic worth of the...
1923 Peace dollar with rotated dies. On this example, the reverse die is rotated approximately 60 degrees. Image: Stack’s Bowers / CoinWeek.

Rotated Alignment – A Variety of Error Coin

The term "rotated alignment" refers to a type of mint error and describes the alignment of a coin that has been struck by dies...
American Buffalo Nickel by David Mamet

American Buffalo (Film) – Coin Collector Meets Tragic End

Hollywood and Broadway occasionally create works that center around numismatic MacGuffins, and collectors sometimes seek these out for entertainment. The film American Buffalo (1996)...
An image of a mock-up ad for a coin in Almost New condition.

Almost New – Don’t Be Fooled by This Dishonest Coin Grade

(adj.) An "Almost New" coin is one that is, at best, in About Uncirculated condition and is being opportunistically marketed. The term is similar in connotation...
An assortment of challenge coins from Charles Morgan's personal collection.

Challenge Coin: What Are These Colorful Mementos?

A challenge coin is a small coin or medallion issued by any number of public or private organizations but most frequently associated with branches...
Azure Shield as it appears on the Coat of Arms of the President of the United Statse and a Liberty Shield on the back of a Liberty Head half eagle gold coin. Image: CoinWeek.

Azure : A Heraldic Term Used on Coins

(n.) In heraldry, azure is the color blue. It is typically (but not always) a deeper shade of blue based on the precious stone lapis...
Unsearched rolls of one cent coins. Image: Adobe Stock.

Unsearched Roll : What It Does and Doesn’t Mean

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes .....   An unsearched roll is a roll of coins that has not been sorted through or...
Adding skin to a double eagle using a Q-Tip. Image: CoinWeek.

Adding Skin – A Deceptive Coin Doctoring Techique

Adding Skin is a coin doctoring technique where putty or other materials are used to apply a layer of material on a coin’s surface...