In common usage, a coin has two sides, known as heads and tails.
However, in numismatics (the study of coins and currency), the more technical terms are:
- Obverse: The front side, usually featuring the image of a monarch, another authority figure, or a national emblem. This is the side commonly referred to as “heads.”
- Reverse: The back side, typically displaying the coin’s denomination, along with a symbol or design representing the issuing country or authority. This is the side commonly called “tails.”
- Edge: The outer border or the surface area along the thickness of the coin. The edge can be plain, reeded (with ridges), lettered, or decorated.
The term “heads” likely originated because coins often feature the head or bust of a prominent person on the obverse. “Tails” is simply the opposing side to “heads”.
What are the different sides of a coin?
Thanks for asking. Obverse (heads) is the front of the coin and the reverse (tails) is the back. Edge is the outer surface, which can have lettering, reeding, or be plain.
What are the names for the sides of a coin?
Great question! The faces of coins or medals are sometimes called the obverse and the reverse, referring to the front and back sides, respectively. The obverse of a coin is commonly called heads, because it often depicts the head of a prominent person, and the reverse is known as tails.
How many sides does a coin have?
In fact, coins have three sides, and there are 18 different parts of a coin. These details and sections help determine the coin’s type, value, and condition.