If we examine the word "exergue" we discover it is from the Greek ex- meaning " out of " and the Greek ergon meaning "work." In modern (20th and 21st centuries) numismatics it is an imaginary place on a coin that an imaginary line separates from the main design, but on many ancient, medieval, and 16th through 19th century coins and medals an actual line or two divides the "exergue" from the main images. This place usually exists on the obverse of a coin below the main design and usually contains the date, sometimes the motto or, on early Greek and Roman coinage, the name of the place the coin was minted: Here's an example of an ancient coin (image courtesy of Roman-Republican Coins): http://www.romanrepublicancoins.com/Exergue.JPG Here's a more modern coin. It's an 2003 Albania 50 Leke with the two dates within the "exergue" on the obverse (courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery): http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/img13/2-5003a.jpg Word Web Online gives us this definition: "Noun: exergueThe smallspacebeneath the baseline of a subjectengraved on a coin or medal; it usuallycontains the date, place, engraver's name, etc." But, the "exergue" may exist on the reverse of a coin or medal, both sides of a coin or medal, at the top of either side or at the bottom. There may be no "exergue" on either side of the coin or, in some cases, an "exergue" may exist on both sides of a coin! Here's an example of a Roman silver Denarius of L. Farsuleius Mensor struck in 76BC. The obverse features a draped and diademed bust of Liberty facing right toward the Emperator's surname , "Mensor." Two items are behind the head: The Roman numeral II and a Freedom Cap (Liberty Cap) below that. The "exergue" is on the reverse below the "biga." See...the "exergue" was created to hold the Emperator's initial and middle name: "L. Farsuleius"! Image courtesy of Coin Archives: http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/gemini/002/image00229.jpg (an extra benefit) This Denarius has the honor to be the first Roman coin to have "Liberty" on it and the "Liberty Cap." Here's an image of a 1940 Cent (image courtesy of Coin Community): http://www.coincommunity.info/coin/0001/1940-lincoln-wheat-cent.jpg No "exergue" on either side.... However check out the Buffalo Nickel. The "exergue" is at the bottom of the reverse and contains the words "FIVE CENTS" and the mintmark (if the coin was struck in Denver or San Francisco) below it (centered) (image courtesy of coinpage.com and greattoning): http://www.coinpage.com/large.php?tImageId=6031 Another example of an "exergue" is explained using a photo of a Washington Head Quarter in North American Coins and Prices: (images courtesy of coinpage.com and greattoning) (The obverse has the date located in the "exergue") http://www.coinpage.com/large.php?tImageId=2654 (the reverse has no "exergue" (the mint mark doesn't create an "exergue"): This next coin has an "exergue" on both sides of the coin: It is an Italian "Scudo della Croce of 7 lire" undated but struck circa 1590 in Venice. It has Cornelio Babaro's initials (C B) on an "exergue" on the obverse and the value of the coin on an "exergue" on the reverse. This image courtesy of Coin Archives: http://www.imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/spink/4023/image00320.jpg Here's another coin with "exergues" on both sides. It is a silver Thaler struck in Basel, Switzerland in 1785. The obverse has the Swiss spelling 'BASILEA' and the date in the "exergue" and the reverse has the engraver's (Johann Jakob Handmann II) identification 'mark' (II) on the "exergue." http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/leu/085/image00596.jpg And here's another, "exergue" on both sides, coin (image courtesy Don's World Coin Gallery): http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/img12/149-90.jpg I didn't mention the probability of an "exergue" like the one on this Romanian Gold Medal minted in 1939 You look at it and figure out what it is (image courtesy Coin Archives): http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/spink/4026/image00534.jpg If you decided the obverse has a blank "exergue" and the reverse has the date in the "exergue." you are right! Here's another surprise! It is a Netherland East Indies Gold Rupee struck in 1783 for use in Java. Note the location of the "exergue" on the obverse. It was created in the area below the legend and above the scroll work and holds the date (image courtesy of Coin Archives): http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/baldwin/051/01252q00.jpg You know that the English Penny has either St George of Britannia on the reverse and the date on an "exergue" at the bottom of the reverse, but take a look at this 1826 Penny (image courtesy Coin Archieves): http://imagedb.coinarchieves.com/img/spink/3011/image00080.jpg Notice the dates on the obverse below the left facing laureate head of George IV and instead of the date in the "exergue" beneath the seated Britannia there are emblems on it. Here's an example of an obverse double "exergue" (seldom used) on this 1999 Austrian 20 Shilling (image courtesy Don's World Coin Gallery): http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/img6/11-3056.jpg Some say the date w/coat of arms on reverse is an "exergue," but others do not agree. What do you think? OTHER "EXERGUE" USES: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=85076&AucID=69&Lot=1619 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=347392&AucID=260&Lot=1500 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=149630&AucID=123&Lot=352 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=148580&AucID=121&Lot=357 http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=152592&AucID=128&Lot=778 http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... km2859 2 Schilling (1937) St. Charles Church http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...965 20 Schilling (1984-1993) Grafenegg Palace http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...desc=Austria km3022 20 Schilling (1995) Krems NOTE: The sheet music with daste below in the obverse "exergue." http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... km3120 5 Euro (2005) Carinthian Gate Theater NOTE: "Ambras Castle" very small script, denomation, and date in obverse "exergue." http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...c=Austria km3096 10 Euro (2002) Ambras Castle NOTE: 2 "exergues" on obverse - "SANSSOUCI" (the palace) in top "exergue" and "POTSDAM" w.mint mark below in bottom "exergue." http://worldcoingallery.com/countri... Germany km110 5 Mark (1986) Sanssouci Palace NOTE: Inscription in reverse "exergue." http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/spink/6029/image00289.jpg NOTE: Explanation of Bourse Building in "exergue" on reverse side of coin. http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=140339&AucID=111&Lot=1673 On this one, all I can say is WOW!: http://imagedb.coinarchives.com/img/baldwin/053/02103q00.jpg This next sample of an "exergue" is a one-sided medal plate. A religious prayer is in the "exergue." http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=384108&AucID=286&Lot=3646 Just read the info accompanying the following image: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=69946&AucID=55&Lot=89 You should know a lot about "exergues." I hope you enjoyed this trivia.... Clinker
