smaller squares by lines resembling somewhat a right cross. It is the
indent of the spike in the anvil on which the ball of metal was laid
when being struck. Later, the coins were made thinner, and were struck
with double dies. From that time both sides of the coin received an
impression. The upper side continued to show the greatest care. As this
side always bore the head of the god under whose auspices the coin was
to be issued, it was called the obverse or face of the piece. The
opposite side was the reverse. So long as coins continued to be struck
by hand, there was no fixed relative position for the two impressions.
Coins were always printed as though they were turned horizontally from
left to right. They still continue to be so printed, and we go on in the
practice of speaking of the reverse of coins, even when we are
discussing those of our own coinage; but the fact is that ever since
American coins were stamped in the mint the impressions on the two
sides bear a certain fixed relation. In passing from the obverse of our
coins to the examination of the opposite side, we do this by inverting
the piece. That side would then properly be called the inverse of the
coin, and it would, with equal propriety be printed directly beneath its
obverse.

The shape of early coins is by no means uniform. There is one
peculiarity of the coins of Boeotia and Macedonia, as well as of many
colonies of these states, which is worthy of some attention. It may
indicate how it came about that the round disk is now the prevailing
form. The coins of these two Greek states in particular were for a long
period concavo-convex disks, the convex side being in all instances the
obverse. It has been suggested, by way of accounting for this form, that
it secured a more perfect impression of the upper die, which always
struck the obverse. It may be the case that a better impression was
gained on that side, but an examination will show that the designer and
engraver spared nothing of art or of skill upon the reverses. These are
executed with a care and vigor equal to that of the obverse, and are
struck with equal success. The concave shape preserved the reverse from
wear, and made it an object for both artist and artisan to put good work
on this side. It is more in accordance with the Greek way of looking at
things, to account for this shape on other ground than that of
expediency. It is more likely than otherwise, that this form is
emblematic. Th