Definition of obverse - reverse

Hello,

I know, the question "which side is obverse, which side is reverse" is difficult to answer, because there are different opinions. So, what is the system in Numista, how to you define obverse and reverse?

I think the leading opinion is to define the portrait of the Emperor (e.g. Elizabeth II) or the name of the country (e.g. "Republik Österreich") as obverse. Also the KM katalog follows this principle. But in Numista catalog very much coins (not to say most of the coins) to not follow this priniciple.

For me, this is confusing. What do you think?

You are correct in stating the portrait of the head of state is the obverse, but the if their is no portrait of a head of stste then the obverse is a design common to all the coins of that year a good example of this would be the modern cyprus coins.

https://en.numista.com/forum/topic1770.html

Sometimes,

The coat of arms of a country is on the obverse, usually if it's superior to the value and is repeated on the country's coins.

Almost always should the leader be on the obverse. There are some cases with exceptions, like some common coins from Japan.

The title on the country is not always on the front. Look at US coins. The title's almost always on the reverse.

Usually if there are reefs enclosing a value, it's on the reverse.

@SmartOneKg: That´s correct. But fact is, that the definition in Numista is very often opponent to those in KM-katalouge. And that´s a bit confusing, because the numbering in Numista is according to KM - so why not the obverse / reverse definition? I understand, that not all coins can be revised - but for new added coins it would be advisable to considere this fact, I think.

In Numista,

We don't always follow the rules of KM, so that includes the obverse and reverse of coins.