Obverse Vs. Reverse

Have you ever noticed that it always seems it's the obverse of a coin that has the most problems / dings / hits / scratches , etc. So many times I've thought to myself " if the obverse looked as good as the reverse this would be an excellent coin ". Maybe it's just my imagination. Any thoughts ?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I believe that is due to most people storing their coins with the obverse side up. I do that myself....but I take great pains to prevent any damage from occuring while in my care...

 

I agree with you.

 

I've often thought the same thng.
I can't call the responses so far wrong because I can't think of a better explanation.
But I just sense it's something else.
Maybe something to do with the way the coins come out of the press and drop into the bin.

 

Seems like Morgans are the most guilty here. They are always bag marked and hit on the obverse, then you flip the coin the reverse is nearly perfect. LOL

 

Isn't the obverse generally higher relief (e.g., the jaw, the hair) . . . and aren't there usually larger "plain" areas (the cheek on the Morgan being an extreme example)? (as opposed to a myriad of feathers in an eagle on the back)

 

Could it be, because of the way the coins come out of the coin presses and fall into the bins. If you see the pictures of the coins coming out of the presses, then we may be able to see why the obv look worse than the rev. O)

 

....i think there is no real answer.

 

I think Sholom is on the right track. It makes sense to me.

 

I have thought the same thing many times but I think its Physological. We want the obverse to look better and so we notice all the times that it isnt and remember those...
But that is just a hunch.

 

Dead Snakes

Another idea I learned from experience is one I call the "Dead Snake" Theory.

If you see a snake on it's back, you think it is dead.
If you see a snake NOT on it's back, you may want to kill it.

Therefore, a snake on it's back is already dead.
One NOT on it's back could be alive......and you just pay more attention to it.

 

Obverses also tend to have more open smooth areas such as on the bust and more open fields. Reverses tend to be busier and the fields more "protected" so contact marks on the reverse tend to be better hidden and less distracting than marks on the obverse.

 

Is there some purpose in the size of those letters?
As to obverse/reverse, there are really lots of reasons for the notice of errors and such. As noted already almost everyone places coins in albums and folders Obverse side up. For some strange reason if you ask people to choose heads or tails in a flip for something, almost all say HEADS. When people look at a coin they almost always look at the obverse to see the date, mint mark, etc. For example on the Wheat back Lincoln Cents. From 09 to 58 the back was always the same so why look? Same with Nickels, Dimes, etc. Not until the State Quarters were the Reverses even considered worth looking at. If you don't believe me, for those that collect those presidential dollars, quick tell me what is one the reverse of them? Look at a Mercury Dime. Anything different on the reverse to even look at? Even for people that have collected coins for a long time, ask what is the reverse of a Liberty Head Dime look like? Even if the reverse were the same on every coin, it would go unnoticed by most.
This is why the rotated reverses are so seldom ever noticed. No one really cares.

 

:thumb:

 

I'm guessing that word was supposed to be psychological.

However, when reading it I came up with: psychosocial, or physiological (which it resembles the most) :mouth: :hug:

But I agree, I think one reason is that the obverse is usually the main focus of the coin.
however, I also think that it may have to do with the details, as was mentioned before. :thumb:

 

On the larger roman coins, I've ntoced its th rev that gets it the most