Patina
Surface film or discolouration caused by oxidation sometimes found on older silver, copper or bronze coins. A nice patina can add to the value of the coin considerably.
Pattern
Coin struck from official dies but not intended for circulation, such as for demonstration or specimen test purposes only.
PGCS
Professional Coin Grading Service, a leading third-party coin grading service located in USA.
Piedfort
A coin struck on a blank that is thicker than normal, usually twice as thick. Example: A Piedfort £2 is a £2 coin that is twice as thick. Increases the weight of high value metal coins like silver.
Planchet
Known in the UK as a Blank, this is the (usually) circlular metal disk ready to be used to make a coin.
Pleidiol Wyf i’m Gwlad
Meaning: 'True am I to my country’, from the Welsh National Anthem.
Portrait
Engraving of a person, especially one depicting only the face or head and shoulders. Sometimes called a bust.
Pro Tanto Quid Retribuamus
Meaning: 'What shall we give in return for so much.' The Motto of Belfast
Proof
Coins specially struck for collectors using polished dies and blanks, giving a mirror finish and raised areas which may be frosted in appearance.
Proof Set
A set of proof coins sold by the mint, usually connected by a date or theme, like a 2001 sovereign set. See the Royal Mint Proof Sets Section.
List items on:
 | Complete Set of 5 Royal Mint 2025 Four Nations £5 Base Proof Coins 7500 Mintage £ 160.00 |
 | Proof Set 2009 With Rare 50p Shield 11 Coins Annual No Kew £ 104.68 |
 | 1970 United Kingdom Proof Coin Set £ 29.80 |
 | ROYAL MINT PROOF SETS BLUE DELUXE 1983 TO 1999 BIRTHDAY PRESENT COIN YEAR SETS £ 19.99 |
 | 1998 Genuine Royal Mint Proof 10 Coin Set In Case, Good Condition £ 19.34 |
 | 1970 PROOF Coins of Royal Mint sets 1/2d 1d 3d shilling florin half crown Token £ 2.75 |
 | 2010 GENUINE ROYAL MINT DELUXE THIRTEEN COIN PROOF YEAR SET (HS 46) £ 55.00 |
 | 1991: UNITED KINGDOM PROOF COIN COLLECTION: 7 COINS IN A DELUXE RED LEATHER CASE £ 19.23 |
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Numismatics is the study of coin collecting and it also has its own language with many words and terms. Our Glossary of Numismatic Terms give the explanation to some of these coin collecting words. To contribute terms please email them to glossary@coinsnotebook.com.