The Numismatic Bibliomania Society
PREV ARTICLE       NEXT ARTICLE       FULL ISSUE       PREV FULL ISSUE      

V25 2022 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 6, February 6, 2022, Article 14

THE RIM VERSUS EDGE OF A COIN

While we're on the topic of numismatic terms, this January 31, 2022 article by Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez on the PCGS website provides a nice definition of the rim and edge of a coin. -Editor

  rim and edge of a coin

Rim, edge… Aren't these just different words for the same part of a coin? No, not at all… The rim and edge are as different from each other as the obverse (or head's side) and reverse (often called the tail's side). When it comes to coins, many people may confuse the rim and edge because these terms often have similar definitions when used in other contexts. For example, you might say you're going to fill the cup to its rim, which means the edge of the cup.

But rims versus edges on coins? Well, in numismatics, the rim and edge simply aren't one and the same…

Rim
The rim of a coin refers to the raised ridge encircling the circumference of the obverse and reverse of a coin. The rim is fully visible when looking squarely at the coin's obverse and reverse. On most modern coins, the rim is unadorned, taking on the appearance of a thick, solid border or frame around the obverse or reverse. On many classic coins, the rim may be ornamented with denticles or other aesthetic frills.

Edge
A coin's edge is also known as the third side of a coin, and it's often one of the least photographed or illustrated portions of any coin. The edge may be plain (flat), reeded (has lines or grooves), include edge lettering, or boast other features to bolster the coin's security or offer other visual or technical benefits. The edge is every bit as important to study as the rest of a coin and can even be used to determine whether a coin is authentic, i.e. – many cast counterfeits exhibit a telltale seam around the edge.

To read the complete article, see:
The Rim Versus Edge of a Coin (https://www.pcgs.com/news/rim-versus-edge-of-a-coin)

NA Sale 66 cover front


Wayne Homren, Editor

Google
 
NBS (coinbooks.org) Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum
PREV ARTICLE       NEXT ARTICLE       FULL ISSUE       PREV FULL ISSUE      

V25 2022 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

Copyright © 1998 - 2024 The Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS)
All Rights Reserved.

NBS Home Page
Contact the NBS webmaster
coin