Coin Glossary

You can find most popular coin collecting phrases in this coin glossary.

Coin Glossary

I

incuse - the part of a coin's design that is pressed into the surface. Opposite of relief. Example: the $2 1/2 and $5 Indian US gold coins are incuse design. Rather than the design being raised up off of the surface of the coin, it is pressed into the metal. See "reeded edge" and "lettered edge" ingot - see "bars"

Ike dollar - see Eisenhower dollar

inscription - the words stamped (written) on a coin

intrinsic value - the value of the precious metal that a coin is made of. Often called "bullion value".  Not to be confused with "face value".

investment grade - used to indicate a high grade of coin that might make a good investment.

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Coin Collecting News
06/30/2025
Bianca Valerio wins Pasadena council seat following coin toss
A coin toss determined a tiebreaker between incumbent Bianca Valerio and her challenger, Bruce Leamon, for Pasadena's District B council seat. more info

06/30/2025
‘Win or lose’ | Pasadena City Council seat decided by a coin flip after a tie vote
Bianca Valerio and Bruce Leamon finished the June 7 election with the exact same number of votes. So it came down to heads or tails. more info

06/30/2025
Up in the air: Pasadena City Council member Bianca Valerio wins coin flip to retain seat
Valerio, an incumbent, defeated challenger Bruce Leamon on Monday as a coin toss decided the race for Position B on the city council. Each received 272 votes in a June 7 runoff election. more info