Last update: 17 November 2023
This page lists the abbreviations that may be used in the Numista catalogue.
Æ
Aes (Latin), copper or copper alloys. Used to describe bronze ancient coins of an uncertain denomination. When followed by a number between 1 and 4, it indicates the diameter of a Roman coin:
When followed by another number, it indicates the actual diameter of the coin in mm.
ECU
European Currency Unit.
AD
Anno Domini (Latin), in the year of our Lord. Label for dates after year 1 of the Common era. Precedes numerals (e.g. AD 453), but follows numbers written as words (fourth century AD).
BC
Before Christ. Label for dates before year 1 of the Common Era. Follows dates:
AH
Anno Hegirae (Latin), in the year of the Hijra. Label for dates after year 1 of the Islamic lunar calendar.
BH
Before the Hijra. Label for dates before year 1 of the Islamic lunar calendar.
AM
Anno mundi (Latin), in the year of the world. Label for dates in the Jewish calendar.
ND
No date. Only used in the date lines.
etc.
Etcetera (Latin), and so forth.
var.
Variant. Only used in the reference code field.
mm, cm, m, km
Millimetre, centimetre, metre, kilometre. Split with a blank from the preceding numeral:
g, kg
Gram, kilogram. Split with a blank from the preceding numeral:
oz
Ounce. Split with a blank from the preceding numeral:
Do not use grade abbreviations in running text. These abbreviations are only used in date lines. Do not use abbreviations to describe in-between grades:
G
Good
VG
Very Good
F
Fine
VF
Very Fine
XF
Extra Fine
AU
About Uncirculated
UNC
Uncirculated
ANACS
American Numismatic Association Certification Service
IGS
Independent Coin Graders
NGC
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
PCGS
Professional Coin Grading Service
FAO
Food and Agriculture Organization
NASA
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
UEFA
Union of European Football Associations
UNESCO
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
UNICEF
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
Any abbreviation which is not listed above should not be used in the Numista catalogue. Below is a non-exhaustive list of abbreviations that should not be used in the Numista catalogue.
&
$, €, £, and other currency symbols
ANS and other numismatic institutions
b., d.
bi.
BU, P, other minting terms
c., ca., cca., approx.
Dr.
e.g.
el.
ESA, other space agencies
EU, EC, other European institutions
Gen., Maj., Capt., and other military ranks
i.e.
IMF, other banks and financial institutions
IOC, other sports associations
Ltd., LLC, Inc., PLC
l., r.
Mt., Mtn.
n/a, NA
N, S, E, W
NGO
RAF, other military organisations
St., S.
Au, Ar, and other symbols of chemical elements
UAE
UK
UN, UNFPA, other United Nations organisations
US
USSR
WHO
WTO