The Parts of a Coin

There are much more to coins than just “heads & tails”! Scroll down for two images showing the different parts of a coin, including the proper names for each side of a coin.

 
parts of a coin obverse
Obverse

Obverse, or “heads” side of a 2000-D Statehood quarter. The obverse side, depicting the familiar portrait of President George Washington, was modified slightly to include some of the wording previously used on the reverse.

parts of a coin reverse
Reverse

Reverse, or “tails” side, of a 2000-D Statehood quarter commemorating the founding of each state. Launched in 1999, the 50 States Quarter program features five new designs per year through 2008. The “D” mint-mark indicates it was made at the Denver Mint.

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