The Franklin Mint: U.S. Coins, International Coins, Coin Sets, Die-Cast & Models, Collectible Art, Games

P-Mint
Term applied to the coins struck at the main Mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Pattern
A coin that was struck as an experiment or as a trial piece. Usually, a new design or made of experimental metal alloys. U.S. Pattern coins from recent years are illegal to own because they are still considered government property. However, older patterns were released to dignitaries, etc and are legally available to buy or sell in the numistmatic market place.

PCGS
Abbreviation for Professional Coin Grading Service and independent and one of the premiere coin grading companies.

Philadelphia Mint
The â€œmother "Mint located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. First established in 1792, the Philadelphia Mint has occupied four different locations; currently, it is located in Independence Square, within sight of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Philadelphia Mint engraves all U.S. coins and medals, manufactures coin and medal dies, manufactures coins of all denominations for general circulation, manufactures commemorative coins and produces medals. This Mint currently uses the â€œPâ€mintmark, but coins produced prior to 1980 have no mintmark.

The â€œmother "Mint located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. First established in 1792, the Philadelphia Mint has occupied four different locations; currently, it is located in Independence Square, within sight of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Philadelphia Mint engraves all U.S. coins and medals, manufactures coin and medal dies, manufactures coins of all denominations for general circulation, manufactures commemorative coins and produces medals. This Mint currently uses the â€œPâ€mintmark, but coins produced prior to 1980 have no mintmark.

Planchlet
A blank round piece of metal from which the coin is struck.

Precious Metal
Metals of value. Typically gold, silver, platinum. However, can include palladium and rhodium.

Proof
A coin usually struck from a specially prepared coin die on a specially prepared planchet. Proof coins are the highest level of the minter's art and are usually created from hand fed coining blanks struck multiple times with presses operating at slower speeds and higher striking pressure. Because of this extra care, Proofs usually exhibit much sharper detail than circulating coins and command a premium among collectors.

A coin usually struck from a specially prepared coin die on a specially prepared planchet. Proof coins are the highest level of the minter's art and are usually created from hand fed coining blanks struck multiple times with presses operating at slower speeds and higher striking pressure. Because of this extra care, Proofs usually exhibit much sharper detail than circulating coins and command a premium among collectors.

Proof Set
A coin set containing Proof issues from a particular year. A few sets contain anomalies, such as the 1804 dollar and eagle in 1834 presentation Proof Sets.

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