Cf.

(short for either Latin confer or conferatur, both meaning 'compare')[1] is used in writing to refer the reader to other material to make a comparison with the topic being discussed.

be used only to suggest a comparison, and the words "see" or "vide" be used generally to point to a source of information.

can also be used to express a possible identity, or at least a significant resemblance, such as between a newly observed specimen and a known species or taxon.

[5] Such a usage might suggest a specimen's membership of the same genus or possibly of a shared higher taxon.

may be used in references on the paper and/or online coin identification information meaning "compare to".