Date Back

Describes certain Series of 1882 National Bank Notes with the dates 1882–1908 printed prominently on the back, or certain Blue Seal Series of 1902 National Bank Notes with the dates 1902 and 1908 printed on the back (in addition to other motifs).

debased

Descriptive of a coin whose precious-metal content has been lowered but whose face value remains unchanged.

Demand Note

Note of a denomination from $5 to $20 issued in 1861.

denarius

A standard ancient Roman silver coin about the size of a United States dime.

denomination

The face or stated value printed on a bill, this being the amount for which the bill could be redeemed in specie or exchanged for other bills. Denominations of federal bills in use in commerce include $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1,000, $10,000, and $10,000. Denominations of Fractional Currency include 3¢, 5¢, 10¢, 15¢, 25¢, and 50¢.

denticles

Toothor wedge-shaped designs that encircle a coin’s rim.

designer

The artist who creates a coin’s design. An engraver is the person who cuts a design into a coinage die.

deuce

Nickname for a $2 bill.

device

Any design element on a coin (not including numerals and letters).

diademed portrait

A portrait whose subject wears a tiara or coronet rather than a full crown.

die

A piece of metal, usually hardened steel, with an incuse reverse image, used for stamping coins.

die crack

A fine, raised line on a coin, caused by a broken die.

die defect

An imperfection on a coin, caused by a damaged die.

die trial

An impression of an in-progress or complete die on a piece of soft metal, usually on one side only, made to see how the finished coin will look.

die variety

Any minor alteration in the basic design of a coin.

dipped

Refers to chemical cleaning of a coin to remove oxidation or foreign matter.

dipping

Cleaning a coin with chemicals to remove foreign substances or oxidation.

disme

One-tenth of a dollar. An early spelling of the word “dime,” and pronounced in the French manner as "deem."

dog

An unattractive coin in extremely worn and/or damaged condition.

double dollar

Nickname given to the Newfoundland $2 coin series of 1865 to 1888.

double eagle

The United States twenty-dollar gold coin.

doubled die

A die that has been given two misaligned impressions from a hub; also, a coin made from such a die.

doubloon

Popular name for a Spanish gold coin originally valued at $16.

drachma

The standard Greek monetary unit. A small silver coin approximately equal to the Roman denarius.

ducat

A famous gold coin used by several European countries. Originally an Italian coin of the twelfth century.