Coin Terminology - Appraising Your Coin Collection

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Obverse - Front of the coin.
Reverse - Back of the coin.
Date - The year the coin was struck.
Mintmark - Tells us which Mint a coin was struck, for example: P stands for Philadelphia, D for Denver, and S for San Francisco.
Design - The main image on the coin. For example, on the Lincoln cent, the main image on the obverse would be the image of President Lincoln. On the reverse, it would be the Lincoln Memorial.
Device - Same as the main design on the coin.
Legend - The words "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," which are required to be on all coins struck at the United States Mint.
Motto - The words "E PLURIBUS UNUM," which are required to be on all coins today. This is Latin for "ONE OUT OF MANY."
Rim - This is the outer raised portion of the coin. It helps protect the design from wear.
Edge - The side of the coin.
Field - The flat surface of the coin.
Designer's Initials - Initials of the person who created the design.
Denomination - The value assigned to the coins. Also known as the face value and also the legal tender.