Coin-related Term: Medallic Alignment

The alignment of the reverse relative to the obverse side of the coin depends on how the dies are positioned during minting. In the case of "Medallic" or "medal" orientation" (like British, German etc. coinage), the top of the reverse shares the same position as the top of the obverse, whereas in the case of "Coin orientation" (like pre-euro French coinage or US issues), the image on one face of the coin is upside-down relative to the other.