Coin orientation (or coin alignment or variations of these) is the relation of the vertical orientation of the images on the obverse and reverse sides of
coin
A coin is a small object, usually round and flat, used primarily as a medium of exchange or legal tender. They are standardized in weight, and produced in large quantities at a mint in order to facilitate trade. They are most often issued by ...
s to one another. The two basic relations are called ''medallic orientation'' and ''coin orientation''. Other orientations can occur in
error coins when the images on the obverse or reverse dies are rotated from their intended orientations.
Medallic orientation
Medallic orientation (or ''medal alignment'', or variations of these) derives its name from medals tagged to a uniform. For a medal to display properly, when the obverse of the medal is right side up, a left or right turn must show the reverse also to be right side up. Thus, the tops of the obverse and reverse share the same position. In Britain, this is sometimes called "British turnover".
British coinage
The standard circulating coinage of the United Kingdom, British Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories is denominated in pennies and pounds sterling ( symbol "£", commercial GBP), and ranges in value from one penny sterling t ...
, most other
Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...
coinage,
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
ese
yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third-most traded currency in the foreign exchange market, after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a third reserve currency after the US dollar and the euro.
T ...
coinage, and
Euro coinage have medallic orientation.
Coin orientation
''Coin Alignment'' or ''Coin orientation'' is present when the tops of the designs are aligned opposite of each other. The concept originated as a western style that was adopted by countries like Japan in the late 19th century.
United States coins are among those with coin orientation.
References
External links
Orientation of a coin– Numista
Orientation
Orientation may refer to:
Positioning in physical space
* Map orientation, the relationship between directions on a map and compass directions
* Orientation (housing), the position of a building with respect to the sun, a concept in building des ...
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