Glossary of Numismatic Terms

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token: Usually a piece of durable material appropriately marked and unofficially issued for monetary, advertising, services or other purposes.

Toning: Toning is corrosion, resulting from surface changes to the metal of a coin at the atomic level caused by corrosive chemical conditions, appearing as a change in color to the coin. While chemists and conservators define toning as damage to a coin, some coin dealers and collectors view toning as nondamaging and desirable. Others prefer coins with untoned surfaces. Dark, ugly toning is often called “tarnishing,” although scientists consider toning/tarnish/corrosion to be synonymous. Tarnishing is seen as a negative by most, even those preferring attractively toned coins. Different colors on a silver coin represent different thicknesses of the corrosion.

Trade dollar: A silver dollar coin produced for overseas markets. The United States issued a Trade dollar between 1873 to 1885 for use in China. Great Britain also issued a trade dollar. Also used incorrectly to refer to Canadian trade tokens of $1 nominal value.

Treasury note: Sometimes called a coin note. Issued under the Act of July 14, 1890. Redeemable in silver and gold coins.

Tree coinage: Silver coins issued by the Massachusetts Colony in three forms: Willow Tree, Oak Tree and Pine Tree. Issued between 1652 to1682 although all but one are dated 1652.

tribute penny: A silver denarius of the Roman emperor Tiberius.

trime: Unofficial nickname given to the silver 3-cent coin. Formed by combining "tri" and the last two letters of "dime."

type set: A collection composed of one of each coin of a given series or period. May contain subtypes.