D
Abbreviation for Denarius, the 'd' in £sd (pounds-shilling-pence), for the predecimal British penny.
Debasement
The lowering of the intrinsic value of a coin, usually by reducing the gold or silver content. Monarchs and governments do it to save money (at the peoples expense).
Decimalisation
Moving a currency onto the decimal system (units of 10). The UK decimalised in 1971 so that 1 pound = 100 pence.
Declaration Type
Coins of Charles I that carried the (abbreviated) motto 'Religio Protestantium Leges Angliae, Libertas Parliamenti' thus declaring 'The religion of the Protestants, the laws of England, the liberty of Parliament.
Decus et Tutamen
Latin for 'An ornament and a safeguard'. From Virgil’s Aeneid
Definitive coins
Definitives have the standard designs seen on the majority of official circulating currency. Unlike commemoratives (which are usually one-off designs), definitive designs stay the same for years or even decades.
Dei Gratia
Latin for 'By the Grace of God'. Often abbreviated such as D G Regina (By the Grace of God, Queen) or D G Rex for a King.
Denarius
The standard Roman silver coin. Equivalent to 10 asses.
Denomination
The face value of a coin, e.g. 'One Pound' or '10 cents'.
Designer
Artist or creator of the design of the coin.
Diademed
Describes the head on the coin is wearing a crown or headband as an sign of Royalty.
Die
Metal tool engraved with the design of the coin used to stamp the blank.
Dime
American 10 cent coin.
Domine Dirige Nos
Meaning: 'Lord direct us.' The Motto of London.
Double Eagle
American $20 gold coin (1850-1933)
Double Florin
British coin denominated at 4 shilling (4/-) minted during the reign of Queen Victoria. The were only made from 1887 until 1890, making it one of the shortest lived coins in British history. It is a large coin with a 36mm diameter, just 2mm smaller than a Crown. See Double Florins.
Double Strike
A coin that is struck twice leaving a double impression as a defect.
Dupondius
A brass Roman two-as coin.
List items on:
 | 1887 VICTORIA GENUINE ARABIC "1" VF+ 92.50% SILVER DOUBLE FLORIN (DT-578) £ 35.00 |
 | 1887 VICTORIA GENUINE ROMAN "I" EF+ 92.50% SILVER DOUBLE FLORIN (DT-577) £ 40.00 |
 | 1890 Double Florin - Victoria British Silver Coin - Nice £ 45.00 |
 | 1893 Queen Victoria Double Florin Pattern Coin, Beautifully Silver Plated. £ 4.75 |
 | 1889 Double Florin - Victoria British Silver Coin £ 29.00 |
 | 1890 Double Florin - Victoria British Silver Coin - Nice (17765) £ 39.99 |
 | 1887 Proof Roman I Double Florin 4s Coin Ngc Genuine Details graded 1000 Minted £ 545.00 |
 | 1888 Queen Victoria Double Florin, Inverted 1 for I, Very Rare, ESC R2 £ 175.00 |
List items on:
Numismatics is the study of coin collecting and it also has its own language with many words and terms. Our Glossary of Numismatic Terms give the explanation to some of these coin collecting words. To contribute terms please email them to glossary@coinparade.co.uk.