Costume and Clothing. The human figure is the most pictured object on coins and medals, hence the cloth covering the human form is of importance to the designer, the viewer, the cataloger – everyone who encounters the numismatic piece portraying a person or people. Clothing, of course, has changed over the years, and it is this different period of adornment that is perceptible to the viewer. From prehistoric times – when man first covered himself with animal skins – to the present, clothing or costume can not only fix the date of the person portrayed, but also reveal somewhat the geographical origin, and sometimes the status, of that person.

In contrast to the clothed, or draped, figure – which such garments have dated – the nude figure is timeless. Artists are well aware of the timelessness of the nude figure, and the fixing in time of the clothed figure. Thus one of the first things an artist researches when creating a dated piece, is to depict the correct garments, headdress, uniforms, vestments, robes, cloaks, whatever. The artist must attempt to show the proper dress of the period. Anything else would be anachronistic.

Special garments can disclose rank, occupation or membership of a particular group; as the robes and crown of a king, the gown of a doctor or judge, the vestments of a priest or bishop, the uniform of a general or soldier. Thus clothing and costume – and its constant change – reveal dramatic evidence of the period of time and the place in history. Costume needs to be carefully researched when designing a numismatic item. Also since the bust and head are popular, researching headgear, collars and clothing above the chest are quite important, as is headgear.