Hello from the other side....my question is about a 20 euro Silver coin. In the USA our coins are struck on both sides in such a fashion that when turned over the reverse or obverse is correctly positioned for "right side up" viewing. I recently purchased a 20 euro coin 2003 proof that the obvese while looking at it presents itself as would any other coin. But when turning the coin over, the reverse is upside down. Now I know what you might be thinking here...hummmm Rickie B may be hitting the juice too much. Let me assure you that is not the case. The obverse and reverse of this coin appears to be struck without the normal rotation of the die's. Is this a common practice of Austrian coins? The coin is "Furst Metternich" 1773 -1859 His Bust is on the obverse and the Train (Locomotive) AJax is on the reverse. It is coin 01010 of 50,000. From the Munz Osterreich. The box has 2003 E 20.- Biedermeirzeit. Thanks in advance.. RickieB
Hi Rickie, and to the Darkside. Remember, once you dip your toes in our waters, there is no going back!!!!! US coins are generally struck in "coin orientation", which means that if you turn it over by holding it at the top, the other side will be upright. In "medal orientation", used by some countries all the time and by others intermittantly, you must turn the coin over by holding it at the side to see the other side upright. The Krause catalog does not specify KM#3104's orientation, but Austria is known to have used both orientations for coinage, and the nature of the modern minting process is such that it is virtually inconceivable for an orientation error to occur, so I'm betting that your coin was deliberately made with medal orientation.
Thanks Roy...I thought it might be something like that. It is exactly as you described it. I have to admit that before I collected US coins I was a "darksider" myself...I still have a few and I admit they are beautiful. The AJAX Train coin is for my son who adores anything with a Train on it or associated with it. TOOT TOOT !!!!! RickieB
Rickie,the Turks & Caicos Islands issued a Proof-only $5 medal-coin that depicts a train on it a few years back.I think that some Confederate States of America banknotes also depict trains as well. Aidan.
You're probably right Roy, but - don't think that just because of modern minting technology that spectacular errors don't occur in world coinage. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it seems to happen more often with world coinage than it does with US coinage. There are plenty of genuine Euro coin errors like a double obverse or double reverse (two heads/tails). If that can happen, an orientation error is next to nothing. Spend some time in the Variety & Error section Richie. Don't just browse the main pages the links take you to, explore the sites, click on all the links each site has. You'll find detailed pics, articles, price guides etc etc etc for some of the most spectacular error coins the world has ever seen. Some of them quite old and some freshly minted. You can even find detailed error coin census pages for US & world coinage. Just don't blame me if you go off on a new collecting tangent as a result
Doug... Thanks for your suggestions as well. I will look into it for sure. Have a good one guys.. RickieB
All euro circulation coins, and most other modern European coins, are made with parallel orientation, or what in the US is called "medal" orientation. The only deliberate exception that I know of, with regard to euro coins, is the Dutch "Australië Vijfje" collector coin which has an inverse orientation. That may be an allusion to "down under". Christian
That's because you flip the coin the wrong way. I for one find it strange to view coins with the US style alignment in an album, presentation folder or anything like that: If you turn the page with a euro coin or any other piece with parallel alignment, the other side will be normally visible. An American coin will be upside down ... By the way, if your son is interested in train coins and you want to get another Austrian piece, the 2004 silver-niobium coin could be interesting: http://www.eurocollections.com/images/image.php?image=2781 http://www.eurocollections.com/images/image.php?image=2782 A little pricy though. There are many other railway/locomotive coins, from other countries, that are less expensive and very nice. Christian
Hey Christian, Thanks for the link..I have it book marked all ready. I enjoy looking at the designs. The 2004 coin with the train is sold out! I would be interested if you come across one..:high5: Thanks.. RickieB
