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A coin exergue is a specific area on a coin, typically on the reverse side below the main design, used for inscriptions or markings.
Coin exergues serves as space for dates, mint marks, privy marks, and other informative details. Three types exist: supraexergue (located at the top), bowed exergue (with curved lettering), and double exergue (on two levels).
Famous examples include “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on Liberty Head Nickels and Morgan Silver Dollars, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” on Walking Liberty Half Dollars.
The first known exergue appeared on a Charles II halfpenny from 1673 featuring seated Britannia.
Learn more about coin exergues below!
- What is a Coin Exergue?
- What are the Different Types of Coin Exergue?
- What are Some Examples of Coin Exergue?
- Is the Exergue of Gold IRA Coins Different than Exergue of Normal Coins?
Here’s a quiz on coin exergue based on this post. Take it after you’re done reading for your best results.
Table of Contents
What is a Coin Exergue?
A coin exergue is a specific coin area, typically on the reverse side, that’s used for inscriptions or markings.
Exergue is usually located below the main design or device on the coin, and may or may not be separated by a line.
The purpose of coin exergue is to serve as a space for inscriptions. These inscriptions can be dates, mint marks, privy marks, or other decorative or informative details.
Coin exergue is also called “exergum”
What are the Different Types of Coin Exergue?
The different types of coin exergue are supraexergue, bowed exergue and a double exergue.
- Supraexergue is similar to normal exergue, but it’s located at the top of a design instead of at the bottom. For example, the reverse of the United States oval Indian Peace medal series has a supraexergue.
- Bowed exergue was created for a Columbus medal of 1892. This exergue displayed the landing of Columbus as a scene on the coin reverse. The lettering in the bowed exergue is on a bowed base line congruent with the bowed truncation of the device.
- A double exergue exists on a U.S. Mint medal, the Eleeazer Wheelock Ripley Medal of 1826, where a question of fact was raised to correct lettering already cut into this area. When the correct information was received engraver Moritz Furst placed it on a higher plane than the rest of the exergue, creating the double exergue.
What are Some Examples of Coin Exergue?
Here are some example of exergues of famous US coins:
- Liberty Head Nickel- E PLURIBUS UNUM;
- Morgan Silver Dollar- E PLURIBUS UNUM;
- Walking Liberty Half Dollar- in God we trust;
- Peace Dollar- In God we trust;
- Saint-Gaudens Gold Double Eagle- in God we trust.
The first coin designed with an exergue may have been a coin of Charles II, a halfpenny of 1673. The design of the seated Britannia obviously had a base line, but this was extended across the full flan on this coin with the 1673 date below in the exergue.
Is the Exergue of Gold IRA Coins Different than Exergue of Normal Coins?
No, the exergue of gold IRA coins isn’t inherently different for gold IRA coins compared to normal coins.
The key difference between gold IRA coins and normal coins is their IRA eligibility. Only some coins from the four main precious metal group (gold, silver, platinum and palladium) are IRA approved. Most coins don’t fall into that category.
The exergue itself is a design feature, not a factor in gold IRA eligibility.
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What’s a Coin Exergue? Meaning and Details you Don’t Know (Conclusion)!
A coin exergue is a a specific coin area, typically on the reverse side, that’s used for inscriptions or markings.
Exergue is usually located below the main design or device on the coin, and may or may not be separated by a line.
The purpose of exergue is to serve as a space for inscriptions, including dates, mint marks, privy marks, or other decorative or informative details.
References:
- Exergue – Dedicated Space at the Bottom of a Coin- https://coinweek.com/exergue-dedicated-space-coin-bottom-design/
- Exergue- https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/515870
- Rare oval silver Hayes Indian Peace medal in Early American sale- https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/rare-oval-silver-hayes-indian-peace-medal-in-early-american-sale.html
- 1892 World’s Columbian Exposition Liberty Head Medal, Gilt, AU58 NGC- https://www.bonhams.com/auction/20038/lot/1216/1892-worlds-columbian-exposition-liberty-head-medal-gilt-au58-ngc/
- Coins of George VI- https://www.coins-of-the-uk.co.uk/pics/g6/1d/index.html
- The Liberty Nickel: Twice Controversial- https://coinweek.com/the-liberty-nickel-twice-controversial/
- ½ Penny – Charles II- https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces27924.html
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
