“The deliberate and unacceptable alteration of a coin in an effort to deceive is a complex matter. Everyone seems to know what coin ‘doctoring’ means, but it’s a difficult thing to concisely and substantively define,” said Paul Montgomery, PNG President.

“After extensive discussions and consultation with both Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), the official grading service of PNG, and with executives of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), the PNG has created its first formal definition of coin doctoring,” Montgomery added.

PNG already required disclosure of information about altered coins.

“Section seven of the PNG Code of Ethics specifically states that PNG member-dealers must refrain from knowingly dealing in counterfeit, altered or repaired numismatic items without fully disclosing their status to their customers. Section four of the Code prohibits misrepresenting the quality of a coin,” said PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

“Adding a more specific definition of coin doctoring is a major step toward helping the PNG review any complaints against members accused of compromising ethical standards established by the organization. We now have an enforceable criterion for our membership.”

The PNG Board of Directors has adopted this initial definition:

Coin doctoring is the action of a person or the enabling of another to alter a coin’s surface or appearance, usually to diminish or conceal defects, and thereby represent the condition or value of a coin as being superior to its actual condition or value.

Among the practices defined as doctoring are effacing hairlines by polishing or manipulating the surfaces of proof coins, applying substances to the surface of coins to hide marks and defects, hiding marks or otherwise changing the appearance of a coin by adding toning, adding chemicals or otherwise manipulating the surfaces to create “cameo” frost on the devices of proof coins, and making a coin appear more fully struck by re-engraving portions of the devices, such as re-engraving bands on the reverse of a Mercury Dime or adding head detail to a Standing Liberty Quarter.

Altering dates or mintmarks or other struck portions of a coin to make it appear to be from a mint date or type other than that of origin, and altering business strike coins to make them resemble proof issues are also examples of coin doctoring. This definition is not intended to be all-inclusive, but only illustrative of forms of coin doctoring.

“As of today, no one has filed any formal complaints with PNG or presented evidence directly to the PNG of alleged coin doctoring by any of its members. However, we have been closely monitoring developments, and are taking action regarding a civil court lawsuit over alleged coin doctoring that was filed by PCGS in May of this year,” said Brueggeman.

Founded in 1955, the Professional Numismatists Guild is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic items. For additional information and the locations of PNG member-dealers, call (760) 728-1300 or visit online at www.PNGdealers.com.

Related posts:

1. PNG Praises Efforts to Combat Coin “Doctoring,” Monitors Suit Against Three Members
2. Laura Sperber Meets with PNG Board to Discuss Coin Doctoring
3. Coin Rarities & Related Topics: Defining Coin Doctoring and Dipping, Additions to the PCGS Lawsuit Against Alleged Coin Doctors

I wonder if anyone knows the true sense of the word MONEY? This word is too old for any direct information to be known. It is much older than the modern understanding. The ulterior etymology of this word is disputed. Its etymology is rather difficult.

The focus idea of this root is “changing”. Clearly, we can note the same idea in English CHANGE with the financial meanings of 1.” the balance of money returned when something is paid for”; 2.“money of smaller denomination given or received in exchange for money of higher denomination”; 3.“to give or receive the equivalent of money in lower denominations or in foreign currency”; 4.“coins” . Thus, we can write: money=changing=coins.

What is money? Money is a thing used in place of another one or others. Usually, in place of goods or services. We use money for the replacing of one thing for another, substitution. This act is called in Old Slavonic MENA- “change, exchange”. The means of this act is money or MENY (????) (in Old Slavonic). Note, please, here the resemblance in sounds: MONEY/MENY.

The Czech word for “coin” is MINCE which is related to German MUNZE – “coin”. Both are derived from Old Slavic MENTSE (?????) meaning literally “a small thing for change”. Note once more: coin is a means for change or exchange.

The Old Slavonic word MENY is plural form from MENA – “one thing for exchange”. The same sense has the Latin MINA and Greek MNA. Both mean ”an ancient unit of weight and value equal to 1?60 talent”. See also the modern Arabic MANN and Hebrew MANEH. Both for “name of a unit of weight”.

We find in Modern Arabic the word MINA – “port”. What does it have to do with English word “money”? As a matter of fact, it is of the same root bearing the idea of exchanging. Historically, port was a place for the commercial exchange of goods. It was an important center of trade (buying and selling).

Similarly, the word “money” has its cognate in Japanese. The Japanese word MINATO – “port” is of the same root.

Selene (or Latin Luna), the eye of night, the sister of the god of the sun, the goddess of the moon, was also called Mene (Mênê). Why? And what does this name mean, Mene? It means literally “she who changes her appearance daily”. Note also, it is the female divinity who was presiding over the months.

Words MONEY, MOON and MONTH are closely associated. All these are cognates. It is quite clear that the English MOON – “moon”, the English MONTH – “month”, the Greek MENE – “moon”, the Greek MEN – “month”, the Lithuanian MENESIS – “moon, month”, the Russian MESYATS (?????) – “month, moon”, the Gothic MENA – “moon”, etc., all are of the same Proto-Indo-European origin. No chance resemblance can be systematic nor regular. The deeper etymology of this root is “changes in ones appearance” the fact that allows to use these changes for measuring. We use the moon’s phases as the measure of time (months). Similarly, we use money (coins, change) as the measure of cost.

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