key date

noun

plural key dates
: a coin that is the rarest or otherwise most difficult of its series to obtain
The 1909-S wheat penny is considered a key date by collectors.

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of key date was in 1976

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Dictionary Entries Near key date

Cite this Entry

“Key date.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20date. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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