Abbreviations & References Guide
Metal codes and catalogue references used throughout our listings
Coin descriptions on our website use a small set of standard metal abbreviations and catalogue reference codes, common across the numismatic trade. This page explains exactly what each one means, so you always know precisely what you're looking at when you browse our listings.
Metal AbbreviationsWhat the Metal Codes Mean
These abbreviations appear in every listing to indicate the metal a coin is struck in.
Catalogue ReferencesReferences Used
Where a coin's type is documented in a recognised reference catalogue, we cite it using the standard abbreviation below, so you can cross-check attribution independently.
| Abbreviation | Full Reference |
|---|---|
| Van't Haaff | van't Haaff, Pieter Anne — Catalogue of Elymaean Coinage: Ca. 147 B.C. – A.D. 228 |
| Album | Album, Stephen — A Checklist of Islamic Coins |
| Balog | Balog, Paul — The Coinage of the Ayyubids |
| Bop | Bopearachchi, O. & Pieper, W. — Ancient Indian Coins |
| Sellwood | Sellwood, David — An Introduction to the Coinage of Parthia |
| SNG | Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum — a major international project started in 1930 by the British Academy |
| Göbl | Göbl, Robert — Sasanian Numismatics |
| H | Hartill, David — Cast Chinese Coins |
| Hsu | Hsu, T.K. — Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins |
| KM | Krause–Mishler — Standard Catalog of World Coins |
| M | Mitchiner, Michael — Oriental Coins, the Ancient and Classical World |
| Nercessian | Nercessian, Y.T. — Armenian Coins and Their Values |
| RIC | Carson, Kent & Barnett — Roman Imperial Coinage |
| Y | Yeoman — Current Coins of the World |
| Z | Zachary, Michael — The Ten Cash Commentary: The General Issue Ten Cash Coins of the Republic of China |
If you come across a reference or abbreviation elsewhere on our site that isn't listed here, feel free to get in touch and we'll clarify — or browse our full coin store to see these references in context.