Understanding Coin Dealer Terminology
Coin dealer abbreviations and terminology have gotten complicated with all the shorthand, grading codes, and industry jargon flying around. As someone who has navigated dealer listings and auction catalogs for years, I learned everything there is to know about what dealers actually mean. Today, I will share it all with you.
Common Abbreviations
Probably should have led with this section, honestly—understanding dealer shorthand helps you shop smarter:
- BU: Brilliant Uncirculated
- AU: About Uncirculated
- VF/XF/EF: Very Fine/Extremely Fine
- OGH: Original Green Holder (old PCGS slabs)
- CAC: Certified Acceptance Corporation sticker
Grading Service Codes
That’s what makes understanding slabs endearing to us collectors—PCGS, NGC, and ANACS each have their own label formats. Learn to read population reports, certification numbers, and variety attributions.
Dealer Price Lists
- Bid: What dealers will pay
- Ask: What dealers want to sell at
- Spread: Difference between bid and ask
Condition Descriptors
Watch for subjective terms like “choice,” “gem,” and “superb.” These lack standardized meanings. Rely on numerical grades from professional services for objective assessment.
Red Flags
“Cleaned,” “whizzed,” “tooled,” and “repaired” indicate problems that significantly reduce value. Legitimate dealers disclose these issues; avoid those who don’t.
