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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

McDonalds Arches

Fully rounded cross bands on the reverse fasces of a Mercury dime. Popular in Hawaii, but not on the mainland. First heard from Troy O. in 1982. McDonalds is a famous fast-food hamburger eatery.

Material

To old-time (fuddy-duddy) hobbyists like the author, coins were coins. To today's hot-shot purveyors it's "Brought any new material with you?"

Mercs

Mercury dimes.

Mint State

Also Uncirculated. A coin in the condition in which it left the mint. Never circulated:

In the beginning there was the word Uncirculated, and it was good. Then, over time, God created adjectives to modify His word. At first he proposed but two: Choice and Gem. Apostles, like Q. David B., hoped to affix a third: Select. However, Select failed to adhere. Then, when God's adjectives proved inadequate, a numbering system was devised by his Apostles, Homo sapiens ("wise man"). This numbering system the Apostles borrowed from the Order of Large Cent monks. Up to 1976, Mint State numbers for Large Cents included 60, 65, and 70, with 70 meaning full mint red.

These numbers were pressed into service on other coin types, then modified and augmented over time. Mint State was called 60; Choice, 65; and Gem became 70. Later, 70 transmuted into Superb Gem (a glorious new adjective). Finally, the ultimate grade of 70 evolved to mean God's Own Perfection. Intermediate numbers therein followed: 63 arose earliest, in the later 1970s; a few years on followed 64 (when 65 proved too weak to distinguish the fine quality shifts in a Mint State coin). Eventually, all eleven integers found their way into the numismatic liturgy: Mint State 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, and (now rarely seen) 70.

It came to pass that other disciples hit upon the idea of adding a small 'PQ' to the number to signify Premium Quality. Still others bethought they could see thine selves reflected in the field of certain Morgan silver dollars. With this, the term prooflike was born. Eventually, those yearning for separation from the rabble of everyday prooflike collectors enlarged the term to include 'deep mirror' prooflike as well.

And so, from its lowly beginnings as a single usage, the grade Mint State--in the case of silver dollars at any rate--has come to include one of sixty-six possible permutations. Is that, or is that not, progress? See particularization, rarity, slider.

Monster

See blazer.

Moose

(c.1976-1980) A phenomenal quality coin. Evidently penned by "Boy Wonder" Kevin L. See blazer.

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