KARAT

- The degree of fineness of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats. Most gold coins have a fineness of 22 karats or approximately 91.7% pure.

KEY DATE

- The most difficult date to locate (in a specified grade) in a particular series. See also Semi-key and Common Date.

"KING" OF CANADIAN COINS

- The unofficial designation given to any example of the Canadian fifty cent coin dated 1921. Only about 100 examples, in all grades, are thought to exist

KLIPPE

- A coin on a planchet of square, rectangular or lozenge shape; often struck as a necessity piece or sometimes as a specimen or a numismatically oriented product.

KNIFE EDGE

- Same as wire Edge.

KNOWLEDGEABLE

- Someone with specialized information AND experience relating to a particular area, eg. a knowledgeable grader of uncirculated coins will not only have a working knowledge of the definitions for each of the uncirculated grades but will also have a depth understanding of the typical strike, lustre, etc. for each of the series of coins that he grades.

KNURLING

- A common reference to the vertical milling in a rim die for coins with a reeded edge.

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