Coins Treasure World: 03 Anatomy of a coin

To understand all about coins , it is necessary to acquaint ourselves with the various terms used and the anatomy of the coins as the first step.

A numismatist is a one who studies the science of Numismatics. Among coin collectors, the term numismatist is used to mean anybody who is really serious about their coin collecting, or who grades, catalogs, or sells coins for a living.

Numismatics is the scientific analysis and study of money and the uses to which people have put money throughout history. When coin collectors use the word numismatics, though, they generally mean the study of coins in particular. A wider and more correct definition includes the study and collecting of all money-related items such as banknotes, tokens, medals, bullion rounds, etc.

I shall now brief you pictorially about the various terms through the understanding of the anatomy of coins.

1 - Obverse and Reverse

The head side of the coin is called Obverse. The other side the Reverse

2 - Legend, Field and Rim

Legend also called the Inscription.

The field is any flat area of the coin that has not been raised . The portion of the design that has been raised is called relief.

The rim is the upraised part of the coin that runs all the way around the edge of the coin on both sides.

3 - Upset Rim , Reeded Edge, Cameo Proof, Motto and Mint Mark

A proof coin is made by using a special minting process that results in especially high quality coins.

One of the features of modern proof coin technology is the cameo portrait. The cameo portrait has a frosted , matte finish that stands out in sharp contrast to the highly polished , shiny surface of the field. Proof coins have not always been made this way.

The technical term for this rim is the upset rim because when the coins go through the minting process, the rim is created by the "upsetting" machine.

A small letter or symbol on a coin used to identify where a coin was made. Current United States mint marks are Philadelphia (P), Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and West Point (W).

4 - Portrait , Date and Designer Initials.

5 - Reeded Edges

The Reeded edge of a coin is the series of grooved lines that encircle the perimeter of some U.S. coins, such as the dime and quarter. The reeded edge was originally added to coins to prevent clipping and counterfeiting.