Heretofore, I've been encasing my world coins with the obverse in front (in 2x2's in 20-slot PVC sheets in binders). However, I just obtained a set of German 5/10 Mark coins from the 1970's which all have a boring eagle on the obverse, with the distinctive designs on the reverse. I'm not going to cling to convention any longer -- do you also deviate from the "obverse-in-front" standard when it suits you?
yeah for my animal coin collection it really depends on which side has the animal so certain coins are showing their rev otheres the obv. only my canadian commemorative silver dollars show the reverse everytime as each has an interesting design from the last one. but don't go based on what others tell you, its your collection so display them in a way thats pleasing to you. As the majority of the time its just you looking at them.:thumb:
What is the obverse or reverse of such coins is up to you. In German it is common to refer to one side of such commems - the theme side, so to say - as the Bildseite (literally "picture side") while the other side, with the federal eagle and denomination, is the Wertseite (lit. "value side"). So yes, with those pieces I would primarily want to look at the Bildseite. Every eagle is designed differently, as you will have noticed, but the elements of that side are indeed always the same ... Christian
This is an interesting question which I myself wrestled with for a while. Eventually I decided that my wife must face away from me at all times.
May your wife never read your post, lol. I dunno about the OP. I guess I'd favor the obverse no matter what.