Nick
Nick. A dent, an unintended indentation on a numismatic item due to dropping or other mishandling, often on the edge (and called edge nick). The presence of nicks on any coin or medal will drastically downgrade condition. An edge nick generally cannot be repaired; a nick in a field can sometimes be chased. See repair and restoration.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor