Glossary of Numismatic Terms starting with L

When the bust on a coin is shown wearing a wreath of laurel, as in Roman times.

The Unite of the third coinage issue of James I (1619-25).

Coins that can be accepted in payment of debt. It's not as clear cut definition as people think. Read The Great One Hundred Pound Coin Controversy.

The words and inscription on a coin. On many coins these may be in Latin.

The gold half-florin of Edward III struck in 1344. So called because it had an image of a leopard on the obverse.

British coins minted from Spanish treasure that was found near Lima, Peru. Many George II coins have the word LIMA below the head.

The currency of Italy before it moved to the Euro.

There has been a mint in London since Roman days, and there was a mint at the Pyx Chapel in Westminster until the Tower Mint (in the Tower of London) was build around 1300. The Royal Mint was established at a new mint on Tower Hill in 1810. See articles: Early History of London Mints to 1300 and The Tower Mint, London 1279-1812.

A small but powerful magnifying class used by collectors or Jewellers

Coins that are so worn that you can only just about tell what they are. These may be in a collection as a hole filler for an expensive coin, but there are low-ball collectors who find it fun to put together a set of the worst specimens they can find.

The symbols for the pre-decimal currency of Britain. Librae-Solidi-Denarii, representing pounds, shilling and pence. Often written with the pound symbol as '£sd'.

The brightness of a coin from the way in which it reflects light. Such as on brand new copper coins.