Coin Glossary

walker - nick name for the "Walking Liberty Half dollar".

walking liberty - a half dollar with the Walking Liberty design. Made between 1916 and 1947. Thought by some to be one of the US most beautiful coin designs. The current "American Silver Eagles" have the same design on their obverse (front).

war nickel - sometimes called "wartime" nickels. These Jefferson US five cent coins were made during part of World War II. At the time there was a concern that metal would be needed in the war effort. Therefore a new mixture of metals was used in the nickel. 35% silver, 9% manganese, and 56% copper. As of this writing they are worth more than five cents due to their silver content. These "silver war nickels", as some call them, will have a large mint mark above the memorial building on the reverse (back).

white cents - see "copper nickel.

Whitman -Whitman Publishing company. Produces many collector's books, albums, and collecting supplies.

whizzed - a whizzed coin has been buffed or polished to give it the appearance of the luster found on a mint coin. Often whizzing is done on a high grade coin to try to sell the coin at a higher grade than it really is. Sometimes done by using a fine brush attachment on a high speed drill. Whizzing a coin may hurt the value of it rather than help it because it actually causes wear to the surface of the coin. See buffing.