Glossary of Numismatics - P

P

Pattern

Coin minted from official dies that is not a regular issue, and intended to evaluate new alloys or designs. Patterns can be divided in three categories:

Pattern: A coin which represents a new design, motto, or denomination, proposed but not adopted, at least for the same year. Most of the unadopted designs fit into this modality.

Die Trials: Coins made with the regular issue dies, in metals other than the proper. Usually minted to verify details of a new coin, value or design.

Experimental Pieces: Very similar process to "Die Trials", but with subtle differences. A coin minted with a die, official or not, to try a new metal, alloy, or shape.

Patina

Surface film caused by oxidation, usually green or brown, mostly found on older silver, copper or bronze coins.

Pedigree

Record of previous owners of a rare coin.

Piefort

A piece struck on a planchet twice or more the normal thickness. The French spelling used in Europe is piedfort.

Planchet

Blank prepared piece of metal on which the coin is struck.

Privy

Small mark, often hidden, on a coin, traditionally to indicate the mintmaster or moneyer.

Proclamation Coins

Coins declared legal tender even though they are not issued by the sovereign, but by another sovereign.

Proof

Coins specially struck for collectors using polished dies and planchets. The resulting coins usually have a mirror field and raised areas are frosted in appearance.

Proof Set

Set of proof coins packaged and sold by the mint.

Punch Mark

Coin struck from 'punching' the coin with symbols or seal. Ex: Five Punch Marked coins of ancient India. Punch Marks generally represent animals, tree, hills, and human figures. These coins were issued by royal authority and generally marked with banker's punches on the reverse.