Valentinian Posted October 21, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Patron Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2023 (edited) Dont know why, but I immediately thought of this: Edited October 21, 2023 by Limes 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted October 21, 2023 · Member Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted October 21, 2023 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, 2023 · Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2023 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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