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R

Racketeer nickel A gold-plated 1883 No "CENTS" Liberty Head five-cent coin ("V" nickel). Legend has it that a deaf-mute gold-plated these unfamiliar coins and would use them as legal tender. Sometimes, he was given change for a five-dollar gold piece since the V on the reverse could be interpreted as either five cents or five dollars! They have also been gold-plated since that time to sell to collectors.
Rainbow toning Toning which is usually seen on silver dollars stored in bags. A full spectrum of colors are represented, beginning with yellow, then green, to red, to blue, and sometimes even black.
Rare A relative term indicating that a coin within a series is very difficult to find. A coin with only a few examples known. A term sometimes applied to all coins of numismatic value (as in: Rare Coin Dealer).
Rarity The total number of extant specimens of a particular numismatic item. Condition rarity describes the number of specimens in a particular grade plus any in higher grades.
Rarity scale A numerical-rating system used to quantify rarity. One example is the Universal Rarity Scale.
Raw Refers to any coin that is not encapsulated by a grading service.
Rays Term for the lines that represent sun rays on a coin’s design.
RB Abbreviation for red and brown or Red-Brown.
RD Abbreviation for Red.
Real A genuine coin. Also see: Counterfeit alteration
Red Describes a copper coin that still retains 95 percent or more of its original color. (Abbreviated as RD)
Red-Brown Describes a copper coin that has from 5 to 95 percent of its original mint color remaining (Abbreviated as RB).
Redbook Synonym for "A Guide Book of U.S. Coins", the annual price guide that is often considered the "bible" of printed numismatic retail price guides. First issued in 1947.
Reeded edge Grooved notches found on the edge of some coins.
Reeding mark(s) A mark or marks caused when the reeded edge of one coin scuffs or scratches the surface of another coin. Also see: Milling mark
Regular issue A coin struck for commerce. There may be Regular and/or Proof strikes, as well as die trials of regular issues. Also see: Business strike and Commercial strike.
Regular strike Synonym for business strike. A coin struck using conventional coin pressing methods.
Relief The height of the devices of a particular coin design.
Replica A copy, or reproduction.
Restrike A coin struck later than indicated by its date, often with different dies.
Retoned A coin that has been dipped or cleaned and then has regained color – either naturally or artificially.
Reverse The back or "tails" side, of a coin.
Rim The raised area around the edges of the obverse and reverse of a coin.
Rim ding Synonym for a rim nick.
Rim nick A mark or indentation on the rim of a coin.
Ring test A test that may determine whether a coin was struck or is an electrotype or cast copy. The coin is balanced on a finger and gently tapped with a metal object. Genuine coins have a high-pitched ring or tone, while electrotypes and cast copies have little or none. It should be noted that this test is not always an accurate method for identifying electrotype or cast copy coins.
Rip A slang term for a coin which was purchased below the market wholesale price and is easily resalable for a good profit.
Roll A set number of coins stored in a coin wrapper. Rolls were originally paper wrappers, and today are typically plastic.
Roll friction Minor displacement of metal, mostly on the high points, seen on coins stored in rolls.
Rolled edge A synonym for rolled rim.
Rolled Edge Ten Common name for a particular 1907 variety of the Indian Head eagle.
Roller marks Parallel incuse lines found on a coin after it is struck. It is believed that roller marks are caused when the strips of metal are pulled through draw bars (set at a precise distance apart to ensure the planchet blanks will be at the correct thickness).
Roman finish A scaly finish, similar to that of Satin Proofs. This was an experimental Proof surface used mostly on U.S. gold coins of 1909 and 1910.
Round Synonym for a round Pan-Pac commemorative fifty-dollar coin.
Rubbing The barest trace of wear on the high points of a coin. Just a step more severe than "friction" on the scale of adjectives used to describe degrees of wear. Usually, a coin with rubbing has virtually full mint lustre intact. Also see: Friction