eagle

A United States ten-dollar gold coin; also refers to U.S. silver, gold, and platinum bullion pieces made from 1986 to the present.

edge

The outer periphery of a coin that often contains a series of reeds, lettering, or some other decoration.

Educational Note

Name for any one of the $1, $2, and $5 Series of 1896 Silver Certificates with ornately engraved designs, among the most famous of all United States currency issues.

electrotype

A reproduction (of a coin or medal) made by the electrodeposition process. Electrotypes are frequently used in museum displays.

electrum

A naturally occurring mixture of gold and silver. Some of the world’s first coins were made of this alloy.

embossing

Refers to the raised printing on a note caused when damp paper is pressed into the recesses of a printing plate.

Emperor of Canadian Coins

Nickname for the 1911 pattern silver dollar.

encapsulated coin

A coin that has been authenticated, graded, and sealed in plastic by a third-party (neither buyer nor seller) professional service.

encased postage stamp

A regular federal postage stamp of a denomination from 1¢ to 90¢, enclosed within a brass frame with clear mica face. On the back of most, embossed in raised letters in brass, is the name of an advertiser. Patented by John Gault, and popular as a money substitute in 1862 and 1863. Often collected along with Fractional Currency.

engraver

The person who cuts the design into a coinage die. This term is also currently used to designate a person who produces a coinage die through modeling by any other medium or technique.

error

A coin that is misstruck, defective, or damaged during production in the coining press.

exergue

That portion of a coin beneath the main design, often separated from it by a line, and typically bearing the date.

eye appeal

A subjective term describing the visual desirability of a specific coin.