What does "reverse" mean on a description on a coin?

Question: Like an 1899-0 reverse, what does the reverse mean?

My Answer: "Reverse" simply means the back or 'tails' side of a coin.

In the United States, the "obverse" side of a coin is the 'heads' side, simply because most U.S. coins have a portrait, bust or 'head' of either a deceased United States President or LIBERTY on the front of the coin.

To numismatists, the opposite of "obverse" is "reverse".

So:

• "obverse" = 'heads'


• "reverse" = 'tails'