Letter F

face value, Fair, fake, fantasy piece, fasces, Fat head, fiat currency, field, Fine, finest known, first shot, fixed price list (FPL), flat edge, flat luster, flip, flip rub, flop, flow lines, Flowing Hair, Flying Eagle Cent , focal area, four-dollar gold piece, Franklin half dollar, friction, frost, frosted devices, frosty luster, Full Bands, Full Bell Lines, Full Head, Full Steps, Full strike, FUN Show

face value

The stated value on a coin, at which it can be spent or exchanged. The face value is usually different from a coin’s numismatic or precious metal value.

Fair

The adjective corresponding to the grade FR-2. In this grade, there is heavy wear with the lettering, devices, and date partially visible.

fake

Slang for a counterfeit or altered coin.

fantasy piece

A term applied to coins struck at the whim of Mint officials. Examples include the 1868 large cent Type of 1857 and the various 1865 Motto and 1866 No Motto coins.

fasces

Term to designate the Roman symbol of authority used as a motif on the reverse of Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dimes. It consists of a bundle of rods wrapped around an ax with a protruding blade. The designation "full bands" refers to fasces on which there is complete separation in the central bands across the rods.

Fat head

Slang for the Small Size Capped Bust quarter and half eagles. (Mainly heard as “fat head fives.)

fiat currency

Coins and paper money that do not have metal value or are not backed up by metal value.

field

The portion of a coin where there is no design – generally the flat part (although on some issues, the field is slightly curved).

Fine

The adjective corresponding to grades of a coin. In these grades, most of a coin's detail is worn away. Some detail is present in the recessed areas, but it is not sharp.

finest known

The best-known condition example of a particular numismatic item.

first shot

Slang for the opportunity to get the first opportunity to buy items from a particular numismatic deal or from a particular dealer.

fixed price list (FPL)

A dealer listing of items for sale at set prices.

flat edge

Term referring to the particular specimens of High Reliefs that do not have a wire edge.

flat luster

A subdued type of luster seen on coins struck from worn dies. Often these coins have a gray or otherwise dull color that makes the fields seem even more lackluster.

flip

This has two meanings. First, it is the term for the plastic sleeve in which coins are stored. Also, it can mean to quickly sell a recently purchased coin, usually for a short profit.

flip rub

Discoloration, often only slight, on the highest points of a coin resulting from contact with a flip. On occasion, highly desirable coins sold in auctions have acquired minor rub from being repeatedly examined by eager bidders. The shifting of the coin, although it may be slight, can cause this rub.

flop

To sell a new purchase for a short profit.

flow lines

The lines, sometimes visible, resulting from the metal flowing outward from the center of a planchet as it is struck. The “cartwheel” luster is the result of light reflecting from these radial lines.

Flowing Hair

The design attributed to Mint engraver Robert Scot that features Miss Liberty with long, flowing hair.

Flying Eagle Cent

The small cent, struck in 88% copper and 12% nickel, that replaced the large cent. This featured James Longacre’s reduction of the Gobrecht eagle used on the reverse of the silver dollars of 1836-1839.

focal area

The area of a coin to which a viewer's eye is drawn. An example is the cheek of a Morgan dollar.

four-dollar gold piece

An experimental issue, also known as a stella, struck in 1879-1880 as a pattern. Often collected along with regular-issue gold coins, this was meant to be an international coin approximating the Swiss and French twenty-franc coins, the Italian twenty lira, etc.

Franklin half dollar

The John Sinnock designed half dollar struck from 1948 until 1963. This featured Ben Franklin on the obverse and the Liberty Bell on the reverse.

friction

Slight wear on a coin's high points or in the fields.

frost

A crystallized-metal effect seen in the recessed areas of a die, thus the raised parts of a coin struck with that die. This is imparted to dies by various techniques, such as sandblasting them or pickling them in acid, then polishing the fields, leaving the recessed areas with frost.

frosted devices

Raised elements on coins struck with treated dies that have frost in their recessed areas. Such coins have crystalline surfaces that resemble frost on a lawn.

frosty luster

The crystalline appearance of coins struck with dies that have frost in their recessed areas. Such coins show vibrant luster on their devices and/or surfaces; the amount of crystallization may vary. Also, this term is applied to coins whose entire surface his this look.

Full Bands

Term applied to Mercury (Winged Liberty Head) dimes when the central band is fully separated (FB). There can be no disturbance of the separation. Also applicable to Roosevelt dimes that display full separation in both the upper and lower pair of crossbands on the torch.

Full Bell Lines

Term applied to Franklin half dollars when the lower sets of bell lines are complete (FBL). Very slight disturbance of several lines is acceptable.

Full Head

Term applied to Standing Liberty quarters when the helmet of the head has full detail (FH). Both Type 1 and 2 coins are so designated but the criteria is different for both.

Full Steps

Term applied to a Jefferson five-cent example when at least 5 steps of Monticello are present.

Full strike

A numismatic item that displays the full detail intended by the designer. Weak striking pressure, worn dies or improper planchets can sometimes prevent all the details from appearing, even on uncirculated specimens.

FUN Show

The first coin show each year. This annual convention is sponsored by the Florida United Numismatists and is held in early January.