“K” numbers? What the heck are they? 1 1

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

So… I order and read a lot of old auction catalogs.  It is pretty common for me to see things like this in the write up:

”slight bag marks visible at K10”

“Rim ding present at K8”

I always assumed that the K numbers represent the clock face (K10 is coin speak for 10 o’clock), however, I am far from sure of this…

 A search in Google took me on a wild, non-numismatic goose chase.

Anyone have a simple explanation for what the K numbers represent in terms of a coin’s anatomy? 

Edited September 21, 2021 by The Neophyte Numismatist

[GBrad]

I asked this same questions awhile back and got a few answers.  Here's the link to that topic. 

 

Edited September 21, 2021 by GBrad

[Revenant]

On 9/21/2021 at 10:21 AM, The Neophyte Numismatist said:

So… I order and read a lot of old auction catalogs.  It is pretty common for me to see things like this in the write up:

”slight bag marks visible at K10”

“Rim ding present at K8”

I always assumed that the K numbers represent the clock face (K10 is coin speak for 10 o’clock), however, I am far from sure of this…

 A search in Google took me on a wild, non-numismatic goose chase.

Anyone have a simple explanation for what the K numbers represent in terms of a coin’s anatomy? 

If you're seeing "at K..." I'd go with I'd go with the answer from DWL on GBrad's thread. But, to be honest, when I saw the title "K numbers" I was thinking this would be about the "Km" numbers, which are catalogue numbers.

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

@GBrad Thanks so much for the links.  Lots of interesting context there.

@Revenant I agree that @DWLange's answer is the one that best aligns to the references I am seeing.  

Thank you very much!