Obverse: The front side (“heads”) of a coin. Generally, the side with the date and principal design.
Reverse: The back side (“tails”) of a coin.
Rim: The raised edge on both sides of a coin (created by the upsetting mill) that helps protect the coin’s design from wear.
Legend: The principal inscription or lettering on a coin.
Mint mark: 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).
Relief: The part of a coin’s design that is raised above the surface.
Field: The flat portion of a coin’s surface not used for design or inscription.
