Representative View
Representative View. A view more symbolic than actual; said of a numismatic piece the designer or engraver obviously had not seen in person (or by photograph). An approximation of the object or scene depicted; often grossly distorted. The United States Capitol is depicted on the reverse of a Harrison and Morton Inaugural Medal (DeWitt BH 1888-11) in which the building no way resembles the actual Capitol. The word "representation" – what is shown on a coin or medal – was used in early numismatic catalogs; it is considered unnecessary or redundant in modern describing and cataloging.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor