Definition

• Linear Perspective.  A view of a scene, person or object that is at eye level and true in proportions as if a photographic print. Linear perspective will exhibit several optical effects including foreshortening and vanishing point in its realistic rendition. It is the most commonly used perspective for coin and medal designs with a straight on, frontal view as if a person sights down his arm pointed toward the subject. The scene or view is such that the image is that which would appear on a picture window pane between the viewer and the object. This is also called a picture plane. Linear perspective on coin and medal designs are expressed as the frontal view, the full face portrait, the facade of a building, or the principle view of an object. In cataloging, linear perspective is considered the normal, all other forms of perspective should be identified.  See perspective.

  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

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