Glossary of Numismatic Terms starting with B

Marks made on coins from being in a bag of other coins.

Legal paper currency issued by a bank which carries of promise to pay the specified amount of money. Bank-notes have been around since 1799.

Non-precious metal, usually copper but can be other metals. Sometimes mixed with gold or silver to make the precious metal harder or to dilute its value.

A coin with one type of metal in the center with an outer ring of a different metal. Examples are the UK £2 and the One Euro coin.

The base piece of metal, usually disk shaped, that is pressed or struck to form a coin. Also known as a Planchet or Disc.

British manufacturer born in Birmingham, England in 1728. Partnered with James Watt and their company produced many items, including coins and tokens, including the 1797 Cartwheel Penny.

Alloy of copper and zinc, although the term is used colloquially to mean any alloy of copper and even used as a term money itself. Used in coins for several thousand years. The 'brass' described in the bible is actually bronze.

The national personification of Britain, usually depicted as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield. Used on numerous coins.

The Silver Britannia is a 1oz silver coin minted in the UK by the Royal Mint. It has a denomination of £2 and generally available both in proof and bullion versions. While the bullion version carries the same reverse over the years, the proof version feature a different design each year, making them very collectable. The Britannia family has many weights from fractional to 10oz or more. See the Silver Britannias section.

The BNS was formed in 1903 to promote coinage, tokens, banknotes and medals from the British Empire. For more details visit britnumsoc.org.

A hammered gold coin worth 20 shilling, introduced by James I in 1604. For example see the 1656 Gold Broad.

An error coin, usually caused when the coin jams inside the die resulting in the coin only being struck on one side. The other side may be blank or a mirror image of the same design pressed on the other side.

Alloy of copper and tin. Copper content is usually 80-95%. Very common in coins over the years, used even in Biblical times (the brass described in the bible is actually bronze).

A coin, bar or other object made from precious metal, such as gold, silver and platinum, that is made for investment purposes rather than for numismatic collecting.

Popular name for the 1860-1894 Bronze Victoria penny, when the portrait showed Victoria with her hair tied in a 'bun'. Designed by Leonard Charles Wyon.

A coin produced for general circulation.

see Portrait.