N
The Global Insight

Which side of coin is head or tail?

Author

John Johnson

Updated on April 07, 2026

Generally, one side has the imprint or embossing of the official head of state or an insignia or emblem and hence it’s called the head side. The tail side name possibly originated from the British ten pence coin, the reverse of which shows a heraldic lion with its tail raised.

Which side is heads on a coin South Africa?

The South African Mint has revealed that the side of the coat of arms is the head of a coin, and the side with the animal is the tail.

Which side of a r5 coin is heads?

The obverse side is referred to as heads and is the front of the coin.

Do you flip a coin 50 50?

If you toss the coin once, it’s always 50/50. It varies how many times you flipped the coin and the results (heads and tails).

Is heads or tails more lucky?

If one side of a penny brings good luck, the other side brings bad. This is where the heads up for luck and tails for bad luck comes from. If you find a penny with the “good” side up, pick it up.

What animal is on the 20c coin in South Africa?

South Africa’s national flower, the king protea, is featured on the nickel 20c coin. On the reverse side of 20c coins dated 1965 to 1969 is a portrait of Dutch colonial administrator Jan van Riebeeck….Additional information.

LocationSouth Africa
Animalgemsbok, lion, springbok, wildebeests

Which is heads or tails?

‘Heads’ refers to the side of the coin that features a portrait, or head, while ‘Tails’ refers to the opposite side.

How many cents are in a Rand?

100 cents
Each rand is divided into 100 cents. The South African Reserve Bank has the exclusive authority to issue coins and banknotes in the country. Coins range in denomination from 5 cents to 50 rand. Banknotes are denominated in values from 10 to 200 rand.

Which flower is on the 20 cent coin?

The bronze-plated steel 20 cent coin features the national flower of the Republic of South Africa, the king protea.

Can a coin land on its side?

It is possible for a coin to land on its side, usually by landing up against an object (such as a shoe) or by getting stuck in the ground. However, even on a flat surface it is possible for a coin to land on its edge. Angular momentum typically prevents most coins from landing on their edges unsupported if flipped.

Which is the head side of a coin?

obverse means the front face of the object and reverse means the back face. The obverse of a coin is commonly called heads, because it often depicts the head of a prominent person, and the reverse tails. Generally, the side which has number (digit) missing is called the HEAD side. (New Coin)

What’s the difference between heads and tails on coins?

Traditionally, most coins had a head of some sort on the obverse, so that was called heads – and the reverse became tails by default.

Which is the side of a coin called the obverse?

Identification. Generally, the side of a coin with the larger-scale image will be called the obverse (especially if the image is a single head) and, if that does not serve to distinguish them, the side that is more typical of a wide range of coins from that location will be called the obverse.

What are the different parts of a coin?

Parts of a Coin. Obverse. The front side (“heads”) of a coin. Reverse. The back side (“tails”) of a coin. Edge. The outer border of a coin. Edges can be plain, reeded, lettered, or decorated. Rim.