How to identify coins at first sight – what information is written on a coin and what it means

This article was updated for you in April 2026.
The article now shows even more clearly how coins can be classified at first glance – from motif, lettering and minting style to material, weight and typical characteristics of different countries and eras.

Identifying coins is often possible at a glance if you systematically examine the design, lettering, mint mark, material, weight, dimensions, and condition. You’ve probably already heard of the obverse and reverse of a coin. However, there’s much more to consider. So, what are these terms and what exactly do they mean? In the following blog, we’ll take a closer look at the individual elements of coin design together with you.

Front/Averse vs. Back/Reverse

The reverse (abbr.: reverse), also known as the value side , is the back (abbr.: reverse) of a coin in numismatics. The obverse is called the obverse.

Which side of the coin is the obverse?

What is the obverse (“avers”) or the reverse (“revers”) of a coin is not always very easy to determine.

Sometimes there are deviations. as in the case of euro circulation coins, for example. Here, in official documents, the value side is called “common European obverse”, while for collectors and coin catalogs, the national side is “obverse”. The other side would be the reverse. As you can see, such deviations can cause misunderstandings and that is why today many people talk about “image side” and “value side”.

Briefly summarized: If a national emblem (for example, national coat of arms, country, ruler, etc.) is depicted, it is the obverse = front. The other side is then the reverse = back.

In English, the front is also called “heads” and the back “tails”.

The name “Heads” is a good mnemonic device because the obverse (front) usually features a head or face. This is typically a portrait of a head of state (examples: Kangaroo at Sunset 2017 10 Years RAM Australia 1oz Gold with Queen Elizabeth, Krugerrand 1oz Vintage 1967 Gold Proof PP SA Mint – Paul Kruger, then President of South Africa (1883 to 1902)) or a symbolic representation of the country/continent.

Sometimes there is no person depicted on the obverse at all. In these cases, you can usually tell which side should be the front by looking at the date.

Which side of the coin is the reverse (in English “tails”)?

The reverse of the coin is called the lapel or in English “tails”. It usually shows the name of the country that issued the coin.

Again, there is no single rule for which side of the coin is obverse or reverse. Sometimes you can even find a person’s face on the reverse of a coin.

For obvious reasons, the obverse (avers), as mentioned above, with the portrait is commonly referred to as “heads = head”. The other side (reverse) is called “tails = tail”, simply because the tail is at the other end of the animal than the head.

Definitions of the various elements on coins

Field: the smooth background surface of a coin. The field is the empty space between other features on the coin.

Edge: the area along the thickness of the coin, sometimes referred to as the “third side” of the coin. Often confused with the Rim.

Rim elevation: the elevated area along the edge of the coin. Edges protect the coin image from excessive wear and make it easier to stack coins.

Inscriptions: any words or writing on the coin.

Legend : the main inscription on a coin.

Motto : any national or culture-specific inscription on a coin, e.g. “Save our world”, “Big Five”, “Nautical Ounce”.

Mint mark of the mint (Mint Mark): Letters or symbols indicating the place where the coin was made. For example, Russian coins are minted either at the Moscow Mint (Moscow Monetnij Dvor = MMD) or SPMD (St. Petersburg Monetnij Dvor = St.Petersburg Mint).

Face value/nominal value (or coin’s denomination) : The value of a coin as legal tender, e.g., the face value of a five-cent piece is five cents. This is also referred to as the nominal value of a coin.

Year-date: The date the coin was issued by a government agency.

Coins with special surface treatments

Some silver coins and gold coins – especially those made for collectors – have special surface treatments. These finishes help to highlight or enhance the beauty of the coin design.

The standard design of today’s coins is Brilliant Uncirculated, abbreviated “BU”. This is the normal, shiny finish that many of us have come to expect on coins. The “Brilliant Uncirculated” finish gives the coin an attractive luster.

A proof version (in German PP = Polished Plate) is particularly popular with collector coins. Proof coins are characterized by specially polished fields that have a mirror-like appearance. The reliefs stand out from this reflective background because they are “frosted”.

In addition to Proof and BU coins, mints around the world have developed other visually appealing finishes for certain special issues. These include colored coins, reverse Proof coins (such as the 2021 Libertad Gold Coin Reverse Proof 1 oz Mexico), and other forms of enhanced uncirculated finishes (sometimes referred to as sandblasted or satin-finished proofs).

The difference between circulated and uncirculated coins

The main difference between the two types of coin is usually easy to identify, and the difference in value can often be considerable. Each coin begins its life as uncirculated when it is struck at the mint, and it remains in an uncirculated state until it enters the flow of trade or is otherwise damaged.

Uncirculated coins

To be certified as uncirculated, a coin must not show any traces of circulation.

There are two important factors that indicate a coin is uncirculated:

Coin luster: Co ins that have never been in circulation usually have a pronounced luster or shimmer. The luster wears off very quickly once the coin is in circulation and has been touched with bare hands. It can also decrease with time.

No Signs of Wear: One of the most obvious signs that a coin is uncirculated is the lack of any signs of wear. As soon as the coin enters circulation, the high points show signs of wear.

Different grades for uncirculated coins

Uncirculated coins are graded between MS60 (MS = Mint State) and MS70. Proof issues are graded PR/PF, with 70 being the highest achievable grade. A coin in perfect MS70/PR70 condition (example: Protea 1 oz 1992 PCGS PR70DCAM) has no handling marks or other cosmetic flaws, while a coin in MS60 condition may show handling marks and may have lost much of its luster. More on PCGS and NGC gradings

How valuable is a coin?

There are three factors that help determine the value of a coin.

1. Original mintage number It indicates how many coins were originally minted and are available on the market.
2. Coin Quality The better condition your coin is in, the more valuable it can be.
3. Demand: Especially if you are a beginner and gaining your first experience with gold coins as an investment, research the demand for gold coins to make the best possible investment. For years, the most popular coins in Germany and worldwide have been: Krugerrand (both bullion coins and special editions from South Africa), Big Five gold coins from the South African Mint ( special editions), Maple Leaf (bullion coins), and China Panda (bullion coins).

We will be happy to advise you and show you without obligation how and where to start or how to complete your already existing collection with very valuable gold coins.