Laureate
When the bust on a coin is shown wearing a wreath of laurel, as in Roman times.
Laurel
The Unite of the third coinage issue of James I (1619-25).
Legal Tender
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.
Legend
The words and inscription on a coin. On many coins these may be in Latin.
Leopard
The gold half-florin of Edward III struck in 1344. So called because it had an image of a leopard on the obverse.
Lima
British coins minted from Spanish treasure that was found near Lima, Peru. Many George II coins have the word LIMA below the head.
Lira
The currency of Italy before it moved to the Euro.
London Mint
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.
Loupe
A small but powerful magnifying class used by collectors or Jewellers
Low Ball coins
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.
Lsd
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'.
Lustre/Luster
The brightness of a coin from the way in which it reflects light. Such as on brand new copper coins.
List items on:
 | The Royal Mint 2010 UK Quarter Sovereign Gold Bullion Coin With COA And Box £ 260.70 |
 | 1855 Britain Full Sovereign 0.9170 Fineness Gold 7.9881g W. W. INCUSED NGC MS 60 £ 1,650.00 |
 | Choice of Half Sovereign - Victoria / Edward / George Gold Coins 22ct each 4g £ 465.70 |
 | 1885 Young Queen Victoria Gold Full Sovereign (Sydney) Free next day delivery £ 934.90 |
 | 1911 22ct Gold FULL SOVEREIGN Extremely Fine £ 950.00 |
 | 1902, 1905 Gold Half Sovereign Coin, King Edward VII Era, George Dragon Design £ 470.80 |
 | 1988 Isle Of Man Angel Gold Sovereign Ring £ 618.70 |
 | Queen Elizabeth II 5 Coin 24ct Gold Sovereign Set £ 950.20 |
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.