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S
S VDB
Short for 1909-S VDB Lincoln Head cent.
Saint-Gaudens
Last name of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the preeminent sculptor of the late nineteenth and
early twentieth century. At the request of President Teddy Roosevelt, he redesigned the
eagle and double eagle in 1907 although he died mid-production. Also, slang for the
Liberty Head double eagle or Saint.
San Francisco Mint
The United States branch Mint located in San Francisco, California that struck coins from
1854 until 1955. After closing as a Mint, it served as an assay office until it reopened as a
coinage facility in 1965. This facility manufactures annual proof coin sets, manufactures
silver proof coin sets and
manufactures commemorative coins. This mint uses the “S” mintmark.
Shield Nickel
Common name for the Shield five-cent coin struck from 1866 until 1883. The 1866 and some
1867 coins have rays between the stars on the reverse and are referred to as Rays type
(or With Rays type). Those 1867 through 1883 coins without the rays are called No Rays
type.
Sight Seen
A term to indicate that the buyer of a particular numismatic item in a particular grade wants
to view the coin before he buys it. He may have a customer who wants an untoned coin –
or a toned coin, or some other specific requirement.
Sight Unseen
A term to indicate that the buyer of a particular numismatic item in a particular grade will
pay a certain price without examining the item.
Silver
Term to indicate coins struck in silver (generally 90% silver and 10% copper but there are a
Hfew exceptions).
Silver Commemoratives
Originally, those commemorative coins struck from 1892 until 1954, although not in every
year. These are all struck in 90% silver and 10% copper alloy. Of course, those post-1982
silver commemorative issues also could technically be so called.
Silver Dollar
A coin of the one dollar denomination that is struck in a composition of 90% silver (or so)
and 10% copper. The silver dollar was introduced in 1794 and was issued for circulation in
intermittent years through 1935. The most frequently seen silver dollars are the Morgan
design (1878-1921) and the Peace design (1921-35). These coins remained in circulation
until the 1960s, mostly in the western US. Modern dollar coins are sometimes called "silver
dollars" as well, even though the pieces struck for circulation contain no silver.
Slab
Numismatic slang for the holder in which a coin is encapsulated by a grading service. The
coin contained therein is said to be slabbed.
Small Cent
Those cents of reduced size, replacing the large cent in 1857. The 1856 small cents
technically are patterns, but have been so widely collected with the regular issues that
their acceptance is universal.
Standing Liberty
Motif with Miss Liberty in a upright front-facing position. The design was used in 1907 on
the Saint-Gaudens double eagles and later on the Hermon A. MacNeil quarter first struck
in 1917.
State Quarter
One of the 1999 and later Washington quarters struck with unique reverse designs for
each state, issued in the order of admittance to the United States. (The order for the
original 13 colonies was determined by the date which each state ratified the Constitution.)
Stella
A term applied to the experimental four-dollar gold coins struck by the U.S. Mint in 1879-
1880. So named for the large star on the coins’ reverse.
S VDB
Short for 1909-S VDB Lincoln Head cent.
Saint-Gaudens
Last name of Augustus Saint-Gaudens, the preeminent sculptor of the late nineteenth and
early twentieth century. At the request of President Teddy Roosevelt, he redesigned the
eagle and double eagle in 1907 although he died mid-production. Also, slang for the
Liberty Head double eagle or Saint.
San Francisco Mint
The United States branch Mint located in San Francisco, California that struck coins from
1854 until 1955. After closing as a Mint, it served as an assay office until it reopened as a
coinage facility in 1965. This facility manufactures annual proof coin sets, manufactures
silver proof coin sets and
manufactures commemorative coins. This mint uses the “S” mintmark.
Shield Nickel
Common name for the Shield five-cent coin struck from 1866 until 1883. The 1866 and some
1867 coins have rays between the stars on the reverse and are referred to as Rays type
(or With Rays type). Those 1867 through 1883 coins without the rays are called No Rays
type.
Sight Seen
A term to indicate that the buyer of a particular numismatic item in a particular grade wants
to view the coin before he buys it. He may have a customer who wants an untoned coin –
or a toned coin, or some other specific requirement.
Sight Unseen
A term to indicate that the buyer of a particular numismatic item in a particular grade will
pay a certain price without examining the item.
Silver
Term to indicate coins struck in silver (generally 90% silver and 10% copper but there are a
Hfew exceptions).
Silver Commemoratives
Originally, those commemorative coins struck from 1892 until 1954, although not in every
year. These are all struck in 90% silver and 10% copper alloy. Of course, those post-1982
silver commemorative issues also could technically be so called.
Silver Dollar
A coin of the one dollar denomination that is struck in a composition of 90% silver (or so)
and 10% copper. The silver dollar was introduced in 1794 and was issued for circulation in
intermittent years through 1935. The most frequently seen silver dollars are the Morgan
design (1878-1921) and the Peace design (1921-35). These coins remained in circulation
until the 1960s, mostly in the western US. Modern dollar coins are sometimes called "silver
dollars" as well, even though the pieces struck for circulation contain no silver.
Slab
Numismatic slang for the holder in which a coin is encapsulated by a grading service. The
coin contained therein is said to be slabbed.
Small Cent
Those cents of reduced size, replacing the large cent in 1857. The 1856 small cents
technically are patterns, but have been so widely collected with the regular issues that
their acceptance is universal.
Standing Liberty
Motif with Miss Liberty in a upright front-facing position. The design was used in 1907 on
the Saint-Gaudens double eagles and later on the Hermon A. MacNeil quarter first struck
in 1917.
State Quarter
One of the 1999 and later Washington quarters struck with unique reverse designs for
each state, issued in the order of admittance to the United States. (The order for the
original 13 colonies was determined by the date which each state ratified the Constitution.)
Stella
A term applied to the experimental four-dollar gold coins struck by the U.S. Mint in 1879-
1880. So named for the large star on the coins’ reverse.
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