Obverse and Reverse sides of Coins

What do 'Obverse' and 'Reverse' mean?
Obverse and Reverse are the terms use by coin collectors for "heads" or "tails" side of coins. In the UK "heads" is the obverse and "tails" the reverse side of the coin

How are they defined for the rest of the world
After investigation and asking various news groups it seems concensus is this:

  • If the coin has a monarch or ruler depicted on it then that side is the obverse.
  • If not then the side with the name of the country is the obverse.
  • Failing that the name of the ruler takes the side of obverse
  • Failing that then it probably doesn't matter!
    It is very rare you would get far down the list. Most coins fall into the first two categories, with the occaisional coin in the third category (e.g. chinese cash). I don't know of a coin that doesn't fit in but in that case really just choose yourself and try be consistent. The names obverse and reverse are for convinience when talking about coins, if you want to call one side the reverse that others call the obverse, go ahead - just make sure you explain what you mean!

    Pictures on this site
    For the picture on this site I try to put the obverse first, then reverse. At the moment you may spot lots where this is wrong, but they will be changed when I get round to it!