Valentinian Posted October 21 · Member Share Posted October 21 Which term is more precise? A Roman coin with lettering around the portrait has an inscription or a legend I've seen both used. "Inscription" has some suggestion of being cut into, like inscriptions on stone monuments. "Legend" doesn't come up so soon among all the dictionary meanings; it seems to be used for coins, though. If you were designing a database with a field for the string of letters, which what you call the field? Which term is "better"? I solicit your opinion (and reasoning). 6 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Conduitt Posted October 21 · Supporter Share Posted October 21 I would call the bit around the edge the legend (although the engraver inscribed the legend). Text written onto an object on the coin (like a shield or altar) is an inscription e.g. the VOT X coins. 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLTcoins Posted October 21 · Member Share Posted October 21 Etymologically, "legend" comes from Latin legere "to read" while "inscription" is from inscribere "to write upon". In a technical numismatic sense, I believe @John Conduitt makes the appropriate distinction. Informally, however, they are effectively synonymous. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Collector Posted October 21 · Patron Share Posted October 21 I use the terms interchangeably for variety when writing. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted October 21 · Supporter Share Posted October 21 46 minutes ago, Roman Collector said: I use the terms interchangeably for variety when writing. Me, too. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
expat Posted October 21 · Supporter Share Posted October 21 I tend to use legend for anything on the outer periphery of a coin. Other textual elements such as within an oak wreath, on a shield, countermark or monograms etc I describe as inscriptions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limes Posted October 21 · Supporter Share Posted October 21 (edited) Dont know why, but I immediately thought of this: Edited October 21 by Limes 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted October 21 · Member Share Posted October 21 7 hours ago, Valentinian said: Which term is more precise? A Roman coin with lettering around the portrait has an inscription or a legend I've seen both used. "Inscription" has some suggestion of being cut into, like inscriptions on stone monuments. "Legend" doesn't come up so soon among all the dictionary meanings; it seems to be used for coins, though. If you were designing a database with a field for the string of letters, which what you call the field? Which term is "better"? I solicit your opinion (and reasoning). "Inscription" seems more precise & doesn't have a dual meaning as Limes pointed out 🤔. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPK Posted October 21 · Supporter Share Posted October 21 6 hours ago, Limes said: Dont know why, but I immediately thought of this: I don't know, somehow that doesn't have the same ring. 😆 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Ancient Coin Hunter Posted October 21 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 21 For me legend is on the outside of the coin (around the edges) whereas inscription is anything appearing in the field of the coin. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hrefn Posted October 21 · Supporter Share Posted October 21 The writing around the outside of the coin is the epigraphe perinumismata, while any writing in the field of the coin is the inscribulum agrī. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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