Referees please give your opinion: Status on unimportant lettering in catalogue

My fellow referees;

A while ago last year there was this thread: https://en.numista.com/forum/topic60900.html

which was basically a debate on whether we should have to include minute, unimportant, and sometimes even cluttering lettering on a coin's page (mint marks, mottos, words in designs, etc.)

The current rule, as a recent change request made VERY clear to me, is that we should have to do so; but based on arguments made against it in the old thread by some of my fellow referees (Oklahoman, ngdawa, etc) I have come to strongly believe the guideline should be officially changed, because:

1) Unhelpful, complicated, sometimes frivolous lettering clutters up the relevant data that one actually expects to see in that box,

and

2) It is also my opinion that a separate box should be present for such lettering, to avoid excluding them altogether (for mottos, specifically; maybe call it 'Additional Design Lettering'?

What do you think?

Anything that is on the coin should be written out, so that one can search for it by typing in the lettering. I've had a number of coins (especially pre-18th century ones) where I had no idea of the country of issue, but was able to find them in Numista by simply typing in what I could read of the legend.

Good point, but I'm speaking for 20th-21st century coins, many of which have more legible (and important) writing that would be used before the tiny lettering on the coin is.



Is one more likely to search for 'Singapore 10 Cents', or the tiny motto on the coat of arms 'MAJULAH SINGAPURA'?

While I do love the anthem and the motto, it is unnecessary.

Look at the USSR one. I'd rather look at 1 РУБЛЬ than a thousand "Protelatarians of the World Unite"

If, by some specific terms, one finds it easier to find the coin - no bother! If not, like some mottos that are co-existent with other information, omit it.

SRL

Hello,
Preferable to put them.
1. it is information. Many of us don't read them (need a strong magnifier), so it may be fun new info.
2. Look at the series of Madagascar coins. They differ only by the motto
3. The concept of "unnecessary" is a bit too flexible to apply to all coinage of the world. One will consider motto, another the tiny letters of the mint, etc.
BTW mint marks are really important if they appear on all coins of the series.
4. 150% agreed with Jesse11, with the importance for the search.

As a general rule I agree that all lettering should be listed. However, I don't have a problem with making some exceptions. I have some in Switzerland that I don't plan on including every character that appears.
For example: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces24101.html

I think that each referee needs some flexibility to use his/her best judgement.

Quote: "jim275"... I have some in Switzerland that I don't plan on including every character that appears.
​For example: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces24101.html
​
...

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I agree with Ecapoe.
I think it all contributes to the completeness of the catalog, helps traceability and it is fun information.

Plus, it took me a while...
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces130810.html
Don't let it be in vain...

Also, what is the harm?

Kind regards

I think if it is on the coin, it should be added, with maybe the three exceptional coins listed above.

If there is some motto used repeatedly, using "motto" X3 also does no harm.

I can see your point in mottos/mintmarks being useful in identifications; so I think my second point in the original post, to create a separate box next to 'Lettering' that we already have, would be the best solution at the moment.