Editing Obverse and reverse (section)

==Modern coins==
The [[form follows function|form]] of [[currency]] follows its function, which is to serve as a readily accepted [[medium of exchange]] of [[Value (economics)|value]].  Normally, this function rests on a [[Sovereign state|state]] as guarantor of the value: either as ''trustworthy'' guarantor of the kind and amount of [[metal]] in a [[coin]], or as ''powerful'' guarantor of the continuing acceptance of [[token coin]]s.

Traditionally, most states have been [[monarchy|monarchies]] where the person of the [[monarch]] and the state were equivalent for most purposes. For this reason, the ''obverse'' side of a modern piece of currency is the one that evokes that reaction by invoking the strength of the state, and that side almost always depicts a [[symbol]] of the state, whether it be the monarch or otherwise.

If not provided for on the obverse, the reverse side usually contains information relating to a coin's role as a medium of exchange (such as the value of the coin). Additional space typically reflects the issuing country's culture or government, or evokes some aspect of the state's territory.