- Flash
- See blazer. "Naw, I'll pass. It
hasn't got enough flash to five."
- Flip
- Clear plastic one-pocket or two-pocket coin holders in popular use since
the 1960s. Typical flips come in 2" x 2" size, but larger ones can be had
for bigger coins. "I cannot sell it to you just yet. Wait until after I've
flipped it." Flips made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)--the most common
type--will, in time, leave a cloudy residue on a coin due to breakdown in
the polymer, and may reduce its value.
- Fingered
- Dulling a coin's shiny high
points by dabbing one's thumb on it in order to make it receive a higher
grade from a grading service is known as fingering it. (Not to be
confused with what you do when someone irks you.) Fingering is done with the
idea of disguising marks and/or a polished look in order to make the piece
appear fresher, more "original," and
thus fool the graders. First heard from Bill C. in 1992; probably traces
back several years earlier, though not before the advent of slabbing (1986).
The author showed Mr. C. a PCGS
Mint State 64 1907 High Relief
$20 gold piece for his opinion as to whether it might get a higher grade if
resubmitted. Mr. C. replied No, that it had been fingered (which, plainly,
it hadn't, since the collector who owned it had retained possession of it
for more than a decade and was completely unschooled in the finer points of
rare coin enhancement). See
environmental damage,
toning.
- Fresh
- A numismatic item that is right out of an old-time collection, not
having made the rounds of dealer inventories yet. Fresh coins are worth more
because they haven't been picked over. First usage seems to be in 1987.
Possibly much earlier. "Got anything fresh this week?" See
newp.
- Full Bell Lines
- Refers to the lower design lines on the Liberty Bell of the Franklin
half dollar. Worth a premium if complete. "I'm not interested unless it's
got four full bell lines." (Anything to squeeze out a few more bucks!)
- Full Head
- Refers to the head detail on 1916-1930 U.S. standing Liberty quarter
dollars, especially in Uncirculated grade. Certain dates are rarely found
having a full head. See
particularization.
. . .
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Numismatica / 15 Sep 2003